A Study on the 3M′s Approach to Environmental Management by Technological Innovation

3M사의 환경경영시스템에 관한 고찰

In all activities of companies, manufacturing processes are one of those which have the worst effect on our environment. So manufacturing companies have taken the necessary steps to comply with environmental regulations. But, most of them focused on the environmental standard control equipments, using ‘end-of-pipe techniques’ that can obtain the desired reductions in a short time-period. But these methods are essentially symptomatic treatments and are not enough for sustainable development. 3M's solution is the ‘cleaner techniques’which emphasize prevention rather than corrective control. This paper examines the concept of cleaner techniques and the environmental management system of 3M - how to conduct technological innovation to prevent generation of pollution and waste at the source under the 3P program.