Environmental Performance Evaluation of Latin American Industries by Using the Industrial Solid Waste Destination Index (ISWDI)

This research consists in to present the application of the Industrial Solid Waste Disposal Index (ISWDI), that is formed by 7 sub-indexes covering 20 indicators, involving the principles of non-generation, minimization, reuse, recycling, treatment, storage and final disposal. The benchmark that guided the evaluations of ISWDI was obtained from environmental reports, auditable documents and technical visits in the automotive industry textile, cement, power, dairy products and steel industries. The ISWDI developed was simulated from real data and has demonstrated its applicability in the Brazilian reality. Thus, this paper intends to expand the use of the index for Latin America. So, we intend to prove its efficiency in management assessment and to support decision making managers. This analysis was done by comparing the results obtained by the simulation of a Brazilian and a Chilean company, both from the pulp and paper industry. The results proved the efficiency of the model and the compatibility of the expected evaluations. Thus, the ISWDI constitutes a management tool applicable to the reality of Latin America.