Small firms slow in reducing CFCs
By TAN CHENG LI
KUALA LUMPUR: The Government’s efforts in phasing out ozone-depleting substances are facing a setback from lack of co-operation from small and medium-scale industries (SMIs).
Department of Environment deputy director-general Tan Meng Leng said yesterday the SMIs had been slow in responding to calls to reduce use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), chemicals which destroy the ozone layer.
He said working groups representing CFC users in various industrial sectors were unable to convince a large number of SMIs of the need to phase out the CFCs.
"The SMIs are still not conscious that market forces will affect them as supplies of CFCs dwindle in future.
"We have a1ways advised them to change (to substitutes) or perish," said Tan.
He said that of the six groups — refrigeration, automobile, electronics and electrical, foam, aerosols and fire-fighting equipment — the foam sector was the slowest in initiating efforts to phase out CFCs.
He said the three-day conference on eliminating ozone-depleting solvents which ended yesterday, had discussed means to get through to the SMIs.
One measure proposed was to engage CFC suppliers, who were in constant contact with the industry, to create awareness among the SMIs.
The conference also felt that more educational material was needed.
Source : The Star, April 29 1993
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