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Cheulando Gayle
Professor Ivonne Lozano Pope
SC-104-M01: Environmental Science
November 11, 2013
Essay: The Industrial Ecology of the 21st Century
The author Robert A. Frosch wrote the article, The Industrial Ecology of the 21st
Century, that defined various methods that have been adapted by industries over the last decades
to diminish the production and deposition of harmful wastes in the environment. Such tactics are
commendable as they not only provide an array of treatments for the most commonly used
commodities for example cars, medical equipment and medicines but also act as a pinnacle for
future industrial ecology. I wholeheartedly agree with the author on this topic as it shows the
progression from the old attitude of the industrial archaeology to the reformation of past
mistakes.
The author exemplified various techniques that the industries have implemented. Firstly,
the industries have utilized prominent designs in a shrewd way, lessening the output of harmful
products, which also reduced potential expenses on the industries. I find this method to be
ingenious, as it can prevent toxic materials to evolve into more dangerous and untreatable
materials. One example of such practice is AT&T Bell Laboratories, who have described how
their engineers dealt with gallium arsenide, a general risky substance, by utilizing a conventional
method. The method used was similar to that of the military technology (combines two nonhazardous chemicals to generate a hazardous one) except this was done in the reverse by
separating gallium arsenide into manageable chemicals, which can be distributed to other

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companies, thus diminishing the disposal of the harmful product as well as the extra costs for
maintaining it.
Another technique, which is called anti-recycling laws, has been rejuvenated by several
projects. This thwarts hazardous substances from been salvaged as it is extremely costly to
maintain or utilize it, even if it has some resemblance to other products of the same kind, for
example, the automotive industrys treatment of steel. The by-product of the anti-corrosion is
zinc-sludge, which is a hazardous substance. However, the zinc-sludge is sent to a smelter to
recover the zinc from it, which can be recycled to produce useful materials. This industry also reuses and recycles car manufactured parts such as the bumpers, refrigerant, coolant, plastic
interiors etc. The wheel and certain body parts are also disassembled and recycled as other
potential products, e.g. fuels, scrap steel, etc. I do disagree with this technique as the companies
who produce similar substances are converting them to a more useful and safe alternative and
this might hinder further developments in maintaining these materials.
The author has also introduced another technique in his article called plasma torches,
which has greatly reduced the dependency on landfills and I believe it is an ideal development in
conserving the environment. Louis J. Circeo stated that the plasma technology is a phenomenon
that will positively impact the environment; I definitely agree. However, the cost for maintaining
these machineries is double of what the landfill costs. It does raise a lot of questions at first, and I
am a bit skeptical to the entire idea as many third-world countries are unable to acquire the
money for this technology but since many companies are adapting to this method for toxic
treatments, competition has greatly reduced the price. Thus, the benefits are outstanding, as this
promotes recycling and reduces the emission of greenhouse gases; for example the gases
produced by the plasma torching process is recycled for making fuels.

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The industrial ecology has mutated over the last decades as more industries have shifted
from the convenient approaches that include landfills and sewages, to the more environmentallyfriendly methods such as plasma torches and manipulations of old techniques. I believe that as
more methods will be in development to aid in maintaining the environment in the future, and
that reuse and recycling will be imperative for many industries as these reduce their expenses,
increase productivity and promote a clean environment.