environmental sustainability - rochester institute of ... · environmental sustainability ......

© 2011 New York State Pollution Prevention Institute. All rights reserved

Environmental Sustainability

New York State Pollution Prevention InstituteRochester Institute of Technology

August 2011


Objectives1. Understand Sustainability concepts and benefits: People,

Planet, Profit2. Learn how to assess a company’s impact on workers, the

environment including the air, water, solid and hazardous waste, energy, and profitability

3. Understand third‐party certifications (LEED, DfE, Green Seal, etc.) and sustainability reporting


Agenda

General Sustainability Training• Sustainability Defined• Benefits of Sustainability• Committing to Sustainability

1. Set Policy 2. Define aspects3. Evaluate and prioritize4. Measure and monitor

a. Peopleb. Planetc. Profit

5. Continuously improve and report


Sustainability – DefinedWhy do we need “Sustainability”?

Love Canal, NY

Bhopal, India Chernobyl, Soviet Unionwww.wikipedia.com


Sustainability – DefinedInternational Definition from the U.N.

Brundtland Commission: Published a report in 1987• Commission created to address growing concern ‘about the

accelerating deterioration of the human environment andnatural resources and the consequences of that deterioration for economic and social development’

• Recognized that environmental problems were global in nature and determined that it was the common interest of all nations to establish policies for sustainable development

Sustainable Development: “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”


Sustainability – DefinedConcept continues to Evolve

From an individual’s concern, to global recognition


Sustainability – DefinedMany Phrases for the Same Concept

Many terms for addressing social, environmental and economic initiatives:

• “3Ps” – People, Planet, Profit• Social, Economic, Environmental• “Corporate Social Responsibility”• “Corporate Citizenship”• “Sustainable Growth”

Each company or organization should define how they address “sustainability”.

People(Social)

S

Sustainability is actualized


Sustainability –3Ps

Component Internal (Company) Aspect External (Societal) Aspect

People(Social)

Respect for People

Respecting the needs of people inside the company

Respecting the needs of people outside the company

Planet(Environmental)

Wise use of natural resources

Leaving enough resources to meet current and future needs of company

Leaving enough resources to meet current and futureneeds of society

Respect for living things

Treating living things with respect w/in company operations (e.g., respecting animal rights)

Protecting ecosystems so living things can survive in the environment

Preventing and controlling pollution w/in companyproperty

Preventing and controlling pollution of the external environment

Profit(Economic)

Wise use of economic resources

Achieving economic success of company

Achieving economic prosperity of society

Sustainability – DefinedInternal and External Respect and Values

Figure 2.6, The Sustainability Handbook, Wm. R. Blackburn


9

Transportation

Packaging

Energy

Product Life Cycle and Environmental Impacts:Internal & External

Future Generations

Waste water Air emissions All other wastes

Resource extraction

Suppliers

Food manufacturing

Water

Consumer


Benefits of SustainabilityEveryone can work towards Sustainable Practices

• Reputation & Brand Strength• Competitive• Desired Products & Services• Productive

Patagonia

Dell

XeroxToyota

Rochester Midland Corp.


• Strengthen risk management, compliance, productivity, and credibility

• Avoid problems of the past, pursue new opportunities for the future, continue to contribute in good times and bad

• More than pursuing one issue; it’s a holistic approach with many issues and different priorities

• Generate additional sales, recruit and retain employees, facilitate transactions and partnerships, charge premium prices

Benefits of SustainabilityWhy be a “sustainable” company?


Any commitment requires a process and continuous improvement– Assess and set goals– Plan and prioritize actions– Implement change and measure results – Monitor and improve performance

Assess

Plan

Implement

Monitor

Committing to Sustainability:Developing a Sustainability Roadmap


Requirements for Developing a Sustainability Roadmap

• Leadership support required • Make a business case• Effectively deploy• Fully engage all key players• Create a good mix of technology, practices, and awareness• Choose the right metrics and effective measurement • Produce clear and concise reporting • Act on results and improve• Keep following the process towards continuous improvement:

Assess Plan Implement Monitor


People

Company or Organizational Commitment:1. Set policy with a vision2. Define company’s aspects (e.g., hazardous waste,

wastewater, employee exposure)3. Evaluate aspects and determine priorities based on impacts

(e.g., toxicity, quantity of wastewater, safety)4. Measure and monitor the impacts (metrics)5. Continuously improve and report

Steps for Developing a Sustainability Roadmap

S


3. Evaluate & determine prioritiesEvaluate aspects and determine priorities based on impacts (e.g., toxicity, quantity of wastewater, safety)

• Site visit and interview personnel• Data collection (Use of checklists/questionnaires)

– Utility Bills, metering– Mass & Energy Balances– Chemical usage logs, Waste inventory– Employee injury rates, incidents

• Review relevant case studies• Synthesize and process the collected information• Characterize the opportunities

– Environmental/Energy benefits– Economic benefits– Social benefits


People

S


metric (noun): system of measurement – a system of related measures that facilitates the quantification of some particular characteristic

Areas measured…• Must be relevant • Must be practical and measureable• Must tie to the goals• Ideally, can be aggregated• Ideally, are comparable to benchmarks• For reporting, needs to be something the reader can

understand

4. Measure and monitor the impacts (metrics) to People, Planet, Profit


People

S


4. Measure and monitor ‐ People

People

S





People(Social)

Respect for People












Profit(Economic)







Customer Goal: reduce or eliminate the use of toxic cleaning products while achieving the same or better cleaning results

Your Goal: educate the customer to understand how the use of green products affects workers, the planet, and profit

• Safety is impacted most by the TOXICITY of the product• Affects the USER and total cost of USE, the most • Benefits:

‐ Decreased risk of health affects‐ Increased indoor air quality‐ Employees are happier‐ Eliminate costly waste disposal‐ Eliminate the need for protective equipment‐ May eliminate air monitoring & other regulatory requirements

4. Measure and monitor – People: Example


Conventional Cleaning ProductsMay contain a number of toxic ingredients which

– Present a health hazard– Can cause negative health affects in people using them or in areas

near themChemical Potential health effects

Ammonia Can irritate eyes and lungs, cause kidney and liver damage

Methanolamine May cause asthma, kidney or liver damage

Diethanolamine Can irritate eyes, skin, and lungs

Bleach Can irritate eyes, skin, and lungs

Nonylthenol ethoxylates Can harm hormone and reproductive systems of animals in water

Phthalates (commonlydisguised as “fragrance”)

Can act like hormones, affecting reproductive systems

4. Measure and monitor ‐ People: Example


• Most occur from – Inhalation of vapors, dusts, fumes, and

mists– Skin contact with liquids

• Types of health hazardsSensitizersIrritantsCarcinogensToxic agentsReproductive toxinsCorrosivesAnything which damages the eyes, skin, lungs, or mucous membranes

Health Affects



ACUTE occur with a single, short term exposureCHRONIC occur over time due to repeated exposures

Health Affects



NATURE of materialINTENSITY of exposure ‐ How much are you exposed to? DURATION of exposure ‐ How long are you exposed to it?

Degree of Hazard



True Cost of AccidentsDirect Costs ($):• Medical bills• Settlements paid to the employee

Indirect Costs:• Wages paid to injured workers for absences not covered by worker

compensation• Employee time spent investigating incident, completing corrective actions,

completing paperwork• Administrative time spent by supervisors following accidents• Employee training when injured worker returns to work• Training a replacement employee• Lost productivity related to new employee learning curves and accommodation

of injured employees• Replacement costs of damaged material, machinery, and property

Conservative estimate: Indirect costs are three times the direct costs of an accident

True Cost = 4 × Direct Cost



Average total incurred costs per claim by cause of injury 2005‐2006, National Safety Council, Injury Facts, 2009 Edition

Average Cost of Accidents4. Measure and monitor ‐ People: Example


Avoiding Accidents:Personal Protective Equipment

• Required for most conventional cleaning products• Protective equipment must be provided by the employer



Benefits of Green Cleaning ProductsGroup Benefits from the change, and leads

to…Tangible Savings

Product users Decreased risk of suffering from health effects

Cost savings due to decreased injuries

Surrounding Environment

Decreased contamination of surrounding air

Improved indoor air quality

Employer May not require or will substantially reduce PPE needs

Cost savings from not purchasing PPE

May not require special handling and storage requirements

Cost savings from not needing special storage equipment

May not have special disposal requirements

Cost savings and increasedproductivity from not needing to fill out paperwork and segregate waste for disposal

Regulatory requirements may not be applicable

Cost savings from not needing to monitor or measure air quality



What is Ergonomics?The balance of fitting a job to a person which effects

productivity and profit.People

Tasks

Environment

ToolsPeople

Connecting Ergonomics and Sustainability

S



People, Task, Tool, Environment

• Task: Sawing a tree• Tool: Hand saw or Chain saw• Person: 1 or 2 person task• Environment: rain? snow? hot/humid? light/dark?



People‐Profit

• Addressing ergonomics reduces absenteeism, reduces turnover, and improves quality of life

• Increase productivity, profit• Reduces hidden expenses (insurance, workers comp)• Increases psychosocial ergonomics

– Employee’s feel good, increase morale

• Market the companies commitment to protecting its employees

• Increase productivity – “Work Smarter, Not Harder!”



Ergonomic Risk Factors(biomechanical stressors)

• Personal• Repetition • Force • Posture • Contact Stress • Environment

1

2

3456

Ergonomic Injury vs. Safety Injury‐ Ergonomic injury is due to normal activities performed in excess and without variety‐ Safety injury is due to mishaps



People

4. Measure and monitor ‐ Planet

S





People(Social)

Respect for People












Profit(Economic)







Looking at the Facility Process

Begin Process

End Process Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step …

MaterialLabor

Packaging waste

Energy

Waste heat

Material Energy

Raw material waste

By‐ProductsAir

emissions

Hazardous Waste

Waste water

4. Measure and monitor – Planet: Example

Inputs

Outputs


Environmental Impact

Assessment

Solid Wastes

Water use & Wastewater

Hazardous Wastes

Energy Usage

Air Emissions

Material Usage

Environmental Assessment ‐4. Measure and monitor – Planet: Example


Applying Sustainability Concepts –Environmental Assessment ‐

Looking at Each step

Bread Manufacturing

Step:Molding and

Baking

Energy Usage(Heat, steam)

Water use (Steam, cleaning)

Hazardous Wastes(None)Solid Wastes

(waste dough) & Wastewater

(cleaning, condensate)

Air Emissions (None)

Material Usage (Dough)

36

Outputs

Inputs


Environmental AssessmentSolid Wastes

Solid Waste Audit• Waste Characterization (type, quantity,

source)• Costs (handling/labor, disposal)• Opportunities for reduction, reuse,

recycling• Green Purchasing

Reporting Parameters:• Waste type (by weight)• Disposal method


Environmental AssessmentHazardous Wastes

Hazardous Waste Audit • Ignitable ‐ liquids with a flash point < 140˚F • Corrosive ‐ Aqueous wastes with a pH <2 or

>12.5 • Reactive ‐ unstable, explosive, capable of

detonation, or react violently with water • Toxicity – poses a hazard to health or the

environment • Universal waste

– Pesticides– Lamps– Batteries

– Mercury containing wastes

Reporting Parameters:• Waste type (by weight)• Amount transported,

imported, exported• Amount treated• Disposal method• Percentage shipped

internationally


Environmental AssessmentWater Use & Wastewater

Water Audit• Evaluate Water Bills (identify trends,

benchmark if industry data available)• Evaluate sub‐metered (process specific)

data, if available• Create usage and discharge profile• Identify high water use processes

(cooling needs, parts cleaning, clean‐up operations)

• How much is needed vs. how much is used

• Best practices

Reporting Parameters:• Total water withdrawal• Water sources affected by

withdrawal• Water recycled (%, volume)• Water reused (%, volume)• Water discharge (quantity,

quality, destination)• Habitat and body of water

discharged to (identity, size, protected status, biodiversity value)


Environmental AssessmentAir Emissions

Air emissions

VOCs

Coating/ Painting/ Finishing

Printing

Combustion by‐products (SOx, NOx, CO, CO2)

Boilers

Power Plants

Particulates

Boilers, Grinding, cutting,

Reporting Parameters:• Direct & Indirect GHG (by

weight)• NOx & SOx (by type and

weight)• Ozone depleting substances

(by weight)• Initiatives to reduce and

reduction achievements

Air Audit


Environmental AssessmentEnergy Usage

Energy Audit• Utility bills• Create usage profile• Identify trends/peaks• Evaluate sub‐metered data, if

available• Identify high energy use processes

(curing, cooking, heating, melting)• Inefficiencies (dated/oversized

equipment, poor insulation, operational practices)

Reporting Parameters:• Direct & Indirect energy

consumption• Energy saved through

conservation and improvements

• Initiatives to provide energy‐efficient or renewable energy based products or services

• Initiatives to reduce indirect energy consumption

• Reductions achieved


People

4. Measure and monitor ‐ Profit

S





People(Social)

Respect for People












Profit(Economic)







• Traditional “Bottom Line” = net profit or loss• “Triple Bottom Line” = accounts for ecological and social

performance + financial performance• The United Nations created a TBL standard for urban and

community accounting in 2007• A company's responsibility lies with coordinating

stakeholders’ interest rather than maximizing shareholders’ profit.

4. Measure and monitor ‐ Profit

Social Value (People) + Environmental Value (Planet)

+ Economic Value (Profit)= Sustainable!


Sony PlayStation• Christmas 2001

• Dutch government blocking Sony’s entire European shipment

• 1.3 million boxes sitting in warehouses

• Cadmium found in game controls (small, but legally unacceptable). Quickly replaced.

• 18 month investigation: inspected >6,000 factories

• Results:•Cost $130 million•Created a new supplier management system•Environmental issues can cost businesses real money

4. Measure and monitor – Profit: Example


Measuring the Impact – Profit / Costs

Example: Water usage in food manufacturing

Water usage = 6,750,000 gallons/yearCost of water = $3/1000 gallons

Therefore, Annual water cost= 6,750,000 gallons/year × $3/1000 gallons

= $20,250/year

Current State – Future State = Savings or Reductions

46


Measuring the Impact – Profit / Costs

Example: Solvent usage in a parts washer Solvent loss through evaporation = 1 gallon/week

Solvent costs $5/gallonAnnual solvent replacement = 50 gallons/year

Therefore, Annual solvent cost= 50 gallons/yr x $5/gallon = $250/year


47


Measuring the Impact – Profit / CostsExample: Treatment of feedwater in boiler

120 ppm treatment = 0.12 g/L = 0.0003 lb/L62.05 gal/hr = 234.55 L/hr

0.0003 lb/L x 234.55 L/hr = 0.07 lb/hr of treatment

Treatment chemical costs $4/lb$4/lb x 0.07 lb/hr = $0.28 /hr

Therefore, Annual Treatment cost = $0.28/hr x 24 hr/day x 365 days/yr = $2,452.80/yr


48


People

Company or Organizational Commitment:1. Set policy with a vision2. Define company’s aspects (e.g., hazardous waste,

wastewater, employee exposure)3. Evaluate aspects and determine priorities based on impacts

(e.g., toxicity, quantity of wastewater, safety)4. Measure and monitor the impacts (metrics)5. Continuously improve and report


S


Use metrics to achieve internal certification to third‐party standards

Third‐Party Standards:International consensus standards serve as an excellent tool

for sustainability because they are:– Global– Market‐driven– Developed by key stakeholders– Transparent



Third‐Party Standards and Certifications:

• Environmental Management Systems (EMS, ISO 14001)• Climate: Greenhouse gas inventorying and reporting

(ISO, DOE, EPA)• Green Buildings (LEED, Green Globe)• Electronics (EPEAT)• Products (Green Seal, etc)• Energy (Energy Star, Plant Certification)



Product CertificationEPA DfE, GreenSeal, EcoLogo

– Recognized 3rd Party Product Certification Organizations– Examples of Categories of Certification

• Cleaners & Degreasers, Floor Finishes, Hand Soaps, Paper Products, Graffiti Removers, Stainless Steel Cleaners, Coil Cleaners, Cleaning Services and more

– Examples of Criteria Evaluated• Product Performance• Oral Toxicity• Skin/Eye Irritation• Skin Sensitization• VOCs• Ozone Depleting Compounds• Aquatic Toxicity• Biodegradability• Eutrophication• Packaging• Training & Labeling



“Design for the Environment allows manufacturers to put the DfE label on household and commercial products, such as cleaners and detergents, that meet stringent criteria for human and environmental health. Using these products can protect your family's health and the environment.”

http://www.epa.gov/dfe/index.htm

5. Continuously improve and reportEPA’s DfE

• DfE scientific review team screened each ingredient for potential human health and environmental effects

• Product contains only ingredients that pose the least concern among chemicals in their class

• Product manufacturers invested heavily in research, development and reformulation

• Product manufacturers maintaining or improving product performance

http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/formulat/saferproductlabeling.htm

http://www.epa.gov/dfe/index.htm


Green Seal Certification

“We offer certification for the products, services, or companies that meet Green Seal standards. The Green Seal mark on a product or operation means that we have determined through evaluation and on‐site audit that the product or service has fulfilled a rigorous set of requirements designed to reduce its harmful impact on the health of people and the environment.”

http://www.greenseal.org


http://www.greenseal.org/


EcoLogoTM“North America’s largest, most respected environmental standard and certification mark. EcoLogo provides customers – public, corporate and consumer – with assurance that the products and services bearing the logo meet stringent standards of environmental leadership. …the Program compares products/services with others in the same category, develops rigorous and scientifically relevant criteria that reflect the entire lifecycle of the product, and awards the EcoLogo to those that are verified by an independent third party as complying with the criteria.”



“The LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™ is a voluntary, consensus‐based standard. The Existing Buildings Rating System helps building owners and operators measure operations, improvements and maintenance on a consistent scale, with the goal of maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. LEED for Existing Buildings addresses whole‐building cleaning and maintenance issues (including chemical use), recycling programs, exterior maintenance programs, and systems upgrades. It can be applied both to existing buildings seeking LEED certification for the first time and to projects previously certified under LEED for New Construction, Schools, or Core & Shell.”



LEED for Existing Buildings: Operation & Maintenance program• Addresses building exterior and site maintenance programs• Efficient and optimized use of energy and water• Purchase of environmentally preferred products and food• Waste stream management• Ongoing indoor environmental quality• Guidelines for

– whole‐building cleaning and maintenance– Recycling programs– Systems upgrades to improve

• building energy performance• Water consumption• Indoor environmental quality• Material use



Benefits of Reporting:• Drives internal change

– Identify sustainability issues and assess the gaps– Benchmark those delivering superior performance– Replicate path used to achieve results

• Builds trust and credibility through transparency (openness, honesty, self‐criticism)

• Builds reputation through constant communication

5. Continuously improve and reportReporting to Stakeholders


Types of Reporting:• Internal Reporting– Periodic reports of progress and

performance: provides accountability, motivation, reduces employee turnover, strengthens training, timeliness and quality

• Mandatory Public Reporting – Obligated by law: pollutant disclosure, financial reports

• Voluntary Sustainability Reporting – Performance of sustainability program or system, goals and results, health and safety, security and risks, environmental impacts and effects



Voluntary Sustainability Reporting – example, Global Reporting Initiative (“GRI”)

People: Labor Practices and Decent Work; Human Rights; Society (community, corruption, public policy, anti‐competitive behavior, compliance); Product Responsibility

Planet: Materials; Energy; Water; Biodiversity; Emissions, Effluents and Waste; Products and Services; Compliance; Transport

Profit: Economic Presence; Market Presence; Indirect Economic Impacts

People


S



Solid Waste Reporting Parameters:••

Hazardous Waste Reporting Parameters:•• internationally

Water Reporting Parameters:••

Air Reporting Parameters:••

Energy Reporting Parameters:• Direct & Indirect energy •

Social Reporting Parameters••

Economic Reporting Parameters••

GRI Reporting Options• Reporting Levels Rated “C” to “A+”

‐ “C” = Minimum reporting requirements

‐ “A+” = Reporting on all requirements and report is externally assured

• Report “Profile Disclosures”, “Management Approach Disclosures” or “Performance Indicators”

• Report as “Self Declared”, “Third Party Checked” or “GRI Checked”


Why be a “sustainable” company?• Strengthen risk management, compliance, productivity, and

credibility• Avoid problems of the past, pursue new opportunities for the

future, continue to contribute in good times and bad• More than pursuing one issue; it’s a holistic approach with

many issues and different priorities• Generate additional sales, recruit and retain employees,

facilitate transactions and partnerships, charge premium prices

Sustainability & Company’s Value Proposition

Create a Sustainable Customer


Create a Sustainable Customer• Understand where customer is along the Sustainability Roadmap• Understand their Sustainability Policy

– Short term and long term goals– Priorities

• Who are their players and commitments• How are your goals in line with their sustainability strategy• What value do you bring to their business case• Help identify the process baseline (current state)• Develop a prioritized timeline for implementation• Analyze data and determine opportunities for improvement• Begin to implement changes• Report customer’s metrics to them for use in their Sustainability Report• Put controls in place and continue to improve

Assess

Plan

Implement

Monitor


Objectives Met

1. Understand Sustainability concepts and benefits: People, Planet, Profit

2. Learn how to assess a company’s impact on workers, the environment including the air, water, solid and hazardous waste, energy, and profitability

3. Understand third‐party certifications (LEED, DfE, Green Seal, etc.) and sustainability reporting

environmental sustainability - rochester institute of ... · environmental sustainability ......

Documents