Environmental challenges facing the sugar manufacturing industry.

The sugar manufacturing industry in South African is facing many challenges due to the rapid changes in environmental legislation over the past decade. The industry is also experiencing increasing pressure from community groups, as housing developments around some of the industries are on the increase. The requirement for responsible environment management is also becoming crucial when obtaining custom from industrial users of sugar. The environmental impacts of the sugar manufacturing processes and the cost implications of maintaining environmental compliance are listed. The experiences and environmental strategies implemented at Huletts Refinery, an industry situated in a pollution ‘hot spot’ and in close proximity to the community, are discussed.