Traditional industrial processes follow a linear process
(Fig. 1). Raw materials are extracted, processed,manufactured into products, and delivered for consumer
use. Wastes from this system are discarded and
the costs associated with disposal fees and new materials
are incurred by the industry. Industries are frequently
located far away from their source materials
and their market, requiring reliance on fossil fueldependent
transportation. The environment is
degraded from the depletion of non-renewable
resources, the pollution from industrial process
wastes, the burning of fossil fuels, and the continual
growth of land®lls.