Industrial Ecology

Industrial ecology is an interdisciplinary field of engineering and science that studies the flows of materials and energy in an industrial system, along with the effects on environment, economy, and society. It seeks to develop sustainable strategies for industries that reduce wastes and conserve resources. Industrial ecology strives to minimize both natural resource exploitation and environmental pollution by understanding the relationship between industries, technologies, and materials. The goal is to make industries and products more sustainable by reducing material inputs, energy use, and any associated pollutant emissions. Industrial ecology also looks to develop new ways of producing products and services by rethinking their entire lifecycle, from raw material extraction, through product design and manufacture, to ultimate disposal.