Pollution control could become a commercial opportunity if properly managed, says a signed article in Nanfang Daily. An excerpt follows:

According to recent reports, the Guizhou branch of Aluminum Corp of China (Chalco), the nation's biggest maker of the metal, has just found a business opportunity in treating and reusing industrial sewage from its production.

By investing 35 million yuan ($4.32 million) in treatment facilities and 5.25 million yuan ($648,000) on annual maintenance, the aluminum producer could make an additional 29.2 million yuan ($3.6 million) every year by saving costs on water, emission of pollutants and other items.

One of the heavy industries with high energy consumption and pollutant emission, aluminum production is often the source of river pollution and biological destruction around the river. The Guizhou branch of Chalco not only treated all its sewage and recycled it, but also has the capability to treat sewage for others. It has made a significant contribution to society.

In some areas and businesses, the logic of "pollute first and leave the pollution for future treatment" prevails. According to their calculation, treating the pollutants is an expense that will only reduce revenue. So most of them simply do nothing about the pollution for fear of losing money.

Such calculation has been proven wrong by the latest figures from the Chalco branch. With necessary input of capital and technology as well as careful management, pollution control and treatment will become a valuable business opportunity instead of a loss in profits.

Local governments should help businesses better judge the revenues and costs of pollution control. Favorable policies and even financial subsidies could be granted to encourage new technology and equipment in environmental protection.

Harsh punishment should be imposed on those ruining the environment so they have enough incentive to get involved in pollution control.

(China Daily 06/22/2007 page10)