Environmental assessment in a coffee industry

Abstract

Industries have sought, increasingly, the pollution control, since they are facing a growing process of requesting for a responsible at itude and commitment to the environment. Brazil is the largest producer and exporter of coffee and its production can generate significant environmental impacts, so this study aimed the environmental diagnosis in a coffee industry, defining the industry environmental aspects and impacts and proposing alternatives for minimizing the critical impacts. The main actions to improve the environmental quality involve the adoption of practices relatively simple and inexpensive, such as the monitoring of gaseous emissions and the amount and efficiency of burning wood, and growing environmental awareness of employees and management. These actions can promote socio-environmental and economic benefits to the company, serving as an initiative for the entrepreneurs to seek continuous improvement of its production process.

Key words: coffee industry, environmental management, environmental impact.