Cleaner Production in Jeans Laundries in Northeast Brazil - Implementing Environmental and Resource Management - page 80

that improved environmental and quality management provides better market
chances. In addition to advances in technology, environmental education for pro-
ducers as well as consumers is equally important in achieving this long-term goal.
9.2 Socioeconomic Background
Compared to other developing countries, indicators of living standards for Brazil
are relatively good, though the country still faces problems common to the devel-
oping world. Brazil is still one of the most unequal countries, particularly in terms
of income distribution and land possession which are both highly concentrated
(Seroa da Motta 2002). Furthermore, differences in development between the re-
gions can be observed. Pernambuco is one of the nine federal states in Northeast
Brazil and belongs to the least developed parts of the country. Besides the touristic
areas along the coastline, in people's perception the countryside is associated with
poverty and droughts. Regarding the poverty level, the region can be compared
with Central African countries. Approximately 75% of the inhabitants, and respec-
tively 60% of the urban population, are living at or even below the poverty line
(Meier and Wahl 2005).
Bearing this in mind, the importance of strengthening environmental awareness
and education becomes evident, since the acceptance of lowering environmental
quality in return for economic growth can be high, especially among the lower in-
come-classes. Many companies are lacking knowledge concerning the main initia-
tives on global environmental issues, though a great majority already recognize
the relevance to their business activities. Even the current political agenda concen-
trates rather on economic growth and reduction of social gaps. Environmental
concerns have to be balanced against development and equity issues (Seroa da
Motta 2002). Consequently, authorities may refrain from pursuing environmental
policies, as pointed out in the following.
Providing around 140,000 jobs, the garment industry is the second most impor-
tant economic sector. The major cluster of clothing industry emerged in the mu-
nicipalities of Caruaru (289,086 inhabitants), Toritama (29,907 inhabitants) and
Santa Cruz do Capibaribe (73,667 inhabitants). Located ca. 130 km from the capi-
tal, Recife, this area comprises a population of almost 400,000 inhabitants (IBGE
2007). Supplying ca. 18% of the country's jeans production, this area became
Brazil's major jeans manufacturing centre. This industrial sector is furthermore
characterized by a high fraction of small and medium sized family enterprises (see
Figure 9.1 ). In several cases, one member of a family owns the dressmaking com-
pany, while another family member takes responsibility for the laundering activi-
ties. Ongoing market liberalization puts pressure on the local textile industry due
to cheap imports of mass products from Asian countries like China.