Certain process, technique, and management deficits are commonly found in micro- and small-scale brick and tile operations. These deficits can have serious adverse effects on short- or long-term business performance---AND, on the local environment and on community health and safety. Among the most significant areas where economic savings can be realized through cleaner production are management actions that address fuel inefficiencies and energy resource depletion, poor clay mining practices, poor process control, and excess dust/chemical pollution.

Addressing these deficits by adopting resource-efficient and cleaner production (RECP) processes, techniques, and management practices can reduce costs and improve business performance and, at the same time, avoid or minimize adverse impacts on the local environment and on community health and safety. RECP approaches generally focus on improving resource and production efficiency which saves physical and energy resources, time, and money needed in production—and results in less waste and pollution. This briefing supports the application of RECP solutions in these four key areas.

References and Resources

• Brick Kilns Performance Assessment and a Road Map for Cleaner Brick Production in India (2012). Greentech Knowledge Solutions Pvt. Ltd. http://www.unep.org/ccac/Portals/24183/docs/Brick_Kilns_Performance_Assessment.pdf.


• Alam, Syed Ashraful (April 2006). Use of Biomass Fuels in the Brick-making Industries of Sudan: Implications for Deforestation and Greenhouse Gas Emission. Viikki Tropical Resources Institute (VITRI), University of Helsinki.


• Destitution, Distortion, Deforestation (2008). UNEP. http://postconflict.unep.ch/publications/darfur_timber.pdf.

Three reports detailing the environmental consequences and unsustainable nature of current brick-making practices.

• Eco-Friendly Bricks Bangladesh (2011). UNDP. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSkCArdwZxE.

Video demonstrating a new energy efficient, smokeless brick-making technology in Bangladesh.

• Energy Efficiency in Artisanal Brick Making in Peru (2013). United Nations Climate Change Secretariat. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28PQFjvpmMI.

Video showing how a carbon offset project aims to install fans in existing kilns and install new efficient kilns in the artisanal brick-producing sector of Peru and Ecuador.

• Blackman, Allen and Geoffrey J. Bannister (1998). Pollution Control in the Informal Sector: The Ciudad Juárez Brickmakers' Project. Discussion Paper 98-15, Resources for the Future. http://www.rff.org/Documents/RFF-DP-98-15.pdf.

This case study discusses the development of technology for improving polluting emissions among small-scale brickmakers in Mexico.

• The Clay Brick Industry: Improvement of Resource Efficiency and Environmental Performance (2000). Cleanerproduction.com, Hamner and Associates LLC. http://www.green-trust.org/claybrick.htm.

Direct links to online guides for cleaner production in clay brick making.

• Clay Preparation Methods. Wall Technical Briefs (2000). German Appropriate Technology Exchange (GATE). http://www.gate-international.org/documents/publications/webdocs/pdfs/bas-tb11e.pdf; http://www.gate-international.org/documents/publications/webdocs/pdfs/bas-tb12e.pdf; http://www.gate-international.org/documents/publications/webdocs/pdfs/bas-tb13e.pdf.

A series of technical briefs dealing with the drying of clay for brick- and tile making, the preparation of clay, and the molding and firing of clay bricks and tiles. The brief describes basic drying processes, different drying methods, surface treatment, drying tests, choice of drying methods, economics and flexibility. A table explains drying faults, their causes, and remedies.

• Energy Efficiency Improvement in the Brick, Tile and Lime Industries on Java (1987). World Bank Energy Sector Management Assistance Program. UNDP, World Bank. http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDS_IBank_Servlet?pcont=details&eid=000009265_3960928074130.

This report discusses improvements in the brick, tile and lime industry in Indonesia. Particular attention is paid to better ways to prepare clay and keep tiles from breaking in the kiln.

• "Energy Saving in Brick Industry: Brick-by-Brick Approach to Sustainable Development." (1999) Terivision No. 18. Tata Energy Research Institute. http://www.sciencedirect.com/.

A general discussion of improving energy efficiency in the brick industry. This is not a very technical document, but includes useful starting strategies for dealing with energy issues.

• Glazes for the Self-Reliant Potter (1993). German Appropriate Technology Exchange (GATE). http://www.gate-international.org/documents/publications/webdocs/pdfs/g17gle.pdf.

A detailed, step-by-step text on manufacturing glazes from locally available materials.

• Kiln Care Tips. http://www.marjonceramics.com/pages/Tips/tip2.htm.

A useful resource on how to repair cracked kilns.

• Status and Development Issues of the Brick Industry in Asia (1993). Field Document No. 35, UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). http://www.fao.org/docrep/006/AD592E/AD592E00.HTM.

A comprehensive description of brick production and alternative technologies that improve production. Specific reference to kiln types and different methods of input extraction.

• Uganda: Energy Efficiency Improvement in the Brick and Tile Industry (1989). World Bank Energy Sector Management Assistance Program. UNDP, World Bank. http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDS_IBank_Servlet?pcont=details&eid=000009265_3960928084948.

This report analyzes technical and economically feasible means for improving energy efficiency in brick and tile production in Uganda. Specific discussion of fuelwood conservation.

• Bull's Trench Brick Kiln (1995). Wall Technical Brief. German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (GTZ). http://www.cd3wd.com/cd3wd_40/GATE_DL/BUILDING/BK/EN/BK.HTM.

Description of the Bull's Trench Brick Kiln technology. Discusses advantages and disadvantages of the technology, with specific reference to lowering fuel use and improving productivity. Includes diagrams and figures.

• Energy Conservation in the Ceramic Industry (1994). United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). http://www.unido.org/fileadmin/import/userfiles/puffk/ceramic.pdf.

This report covers the broader ceramics industry, including pottery, but contains a useful detailed discussion of how to improve energy efficiency in kilns.

• "The Environmental Colours of Microfinance Theory" and "Practice Enabling the Link between Microcredit and Environment" in Promoting Environmentally Based Micro-Enterprises (2000). Global Development Research Centre. http://www.gdrc.org/icm/environ/environ.html.

This is a larger document on environmental assessment of microenterprises, but includes a case study of brickmakers in Zimbabwe.

• Maithel, Sameer, Heini Mueller and Rajinder Singh (2000). Experiences in the Transfer and Diffusion of Efficient Technologies in the Indian Brick Industry. CTI/Industry Joint Seminar on Technology Diffusion in Asia, 14-15 January 2000. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat.

This paper discusses the efficiency and environmental soundness of adopting the Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln (VSBK) technology in India.