1996 Electronics Industry Environmental Roadmap - Civil and ...

1.0 Introduction
Introduction
1.1 Overall Strategy
The electronics industry stands on the verge of a fundamental change in the way environmental
policy is formed and implemented. This shift has several dimensions:
From remediation to pollution prevention.
From a regulatory structure based on command and control to one based on flexibility and
collaboration.
From environmental management as a secondary corporate function to environmental
policy as an integrated corporate concern.
Accelerating and institutionalizing this shift requires a focused, industry-wide strategy,
identifying common concerns, priorities, and objectives for collaborative action—a roadmap for
industry action. The shift can be enhanced by developing community partnerships specific to
each facility’s circumstances to engender effective involvement, communication, and
understanding between all stakeholders.
A discussion of environmental considerations in electronics manufacturing has many dimensions.
A strong argument can be made that progress in electronics has been a significant force in
enriching and enhancing the overall environmental movement throughout the world, and
contributing to significant changes in day-to-day life that reduce environmental deterioration.
For example:
E-mail can now move messages and documents in a matter of seconds without significant
environmental consequences, especially when compared with the alternative of mailing a
letter, which must then be physically transported via truck or airplane from one location
to another.
Electronics has contributed substantially to the capability of manufacturers to run cleaner
and more efficiently, react to environmental accidents, increase productivity, reduce energy,
and minimize required resources.
At the same time, these advances have occurred thanks to an increase in the production of
electronic products. Therefore, it is important to assure that the environmental practices
surrounding the production and manufacturing of electronics are a priority for industry.
This 1996 Electronics Industry Environmental Roadmap continues ongoing efforts introduced in
1992 by the Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation (MCC), working in concert
with a diverse group of electronics and information technology manufacturers and their suppliers,
and supported by the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) of the U.S. Department of
Defense under a contract to Wright Labs. This year’s Roadmap updates and expands upon the
top priorities from the 1994 Electronics Industry Environmental Roadmap, produced by MCC
with the participation, support, and endorsement of a wide range of companies and associations.
Both Roadmaps are intended to provide a framework for constructive action.
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