Cleaner production in Mauritian cane-sugar factories

A growing awareness of the impacts of pollution on the environment, coupled with the introduction of sectoral effluent standards by the Mauritian environment authorities, have led to the current situation whereby the sugar factories need to introduce appropriate water and wastewater management systems. The cane-sugar industry has been given 3 years to comply with the legislation on effluent standards. During that 3 year period the industry will have to investigate cleaner production opportunities, select appropriate waste treatment technologies, gain operational experience and confidence with the technology and introduce environmental management systems. The case-study taken from the cane-sugar industry in Mauritius illustrate the extent to which environmental improvements are possible through cleaner production.