Promoting Resource Efficiency in Small & Medium size ... - UNEP

In Figure 21 the increase in variation that correlates to the decrease of
production indicates a deficit of process control. From the extrapolation
of the interpolation line towards high production, the optimum
consumption can be derived. Plotting a similar diagram with total daily
water consumption and extrapolation of daily water consumption towards
zero production would show fixed consumption, e.g. for daily cleaning.
3.5 Act
In the ‘Act’ phase the following elements are important:
• Preparation of an action plan
• Continued implementation of Resource Efficiency options
(maybe in another thematic area)
• Monitoring and reviewing of performance
• Rewarding good performance; do not forget to reward the ones
behind the success!
Prepare an action plan to track implementation of Resource Efficiency
goals and prepare regular reports to management on the progress to
justify time and resources used on the programme.
3.6 Overlaps in the thematic areas
As shown in table 9, there are a number of overlaps in efficient use of
water, energy, materials and chemicals.
3.7 Why Resource Efficiency is safe and profitable at
the same time
Implementing Resource Efficiency will make your company more
cost-effective. Use materials, energy, fuel and other resources more
efficiently and cut the cost of waste disposal and input purchases.
Resource Efficiency projects let you benefit from improved cash flow,
because of reduced expenses for materials and energy and more rapid
return on investment because of less fixed capital for stored materials
and chemicals.
Companies practicing Resource Efficiency reduce environmental and
business risks, thereby increasing their credit-worthiness. You can
also improve your financial performance by building a portfolio of
environmentally sound and socially responsible investments.
A basic premise behind safer production is that reducing hazard, rather
than controlling exposure, most effectively manages chemical risk. This
means it is safer to choose inherently less hazardous chemicals rather
than attempt to control the exposure risk of a hazardous chemical,
which is the traditional thinking behind risk management.
Exposure controls can and do fail, and products are used in ways that
were never intended. Therefore the most effective means to reduce risk
is to reduce hazard by using inherently safer chemicals.
Your company will become more competitive, as Resource Efficiency
practices improve your image and the quality and safety of your
products. Resource Efficiency also reduces environmental, health and
liability risks and, by conforming to environmental standards, your
company can export to new markets.
The following case study illustrates the importance of making Resource
Efficiency an ongoing goal and the results to expect from a sustained
effort.
The company in the following case study started implementing
a Resource Efficiency programme in 1997 as part of a regional
environmental programme. Over the years, the company continued
stepping up their environmental management system and expanded
to a full-fledged integrated management system, including quality
management, health and safety, risk and innovation management.
Secondary Overlap Water Energy Materials and waste Chemicals Health and safety
Water - Less water means less
energy for pumping, less
water as solvent means
less energy e.g. for drying,
recovery of hot water
means less energy to heat
water
Less water consumption
means less need for
treatment and often less
sludge to treat and to
dispose of
Less water means less
chemicals for physical
chemical treatment of
water and wastewater
Water spills can cause
slippery ground, electric
defects and cause
accidents
Energy
Materials
Chemicals
Less energy means less
need for cooling (water
for once through cooling
or for boiler and cooling
tower)
Less material losses mean
less need for cleaning
Less spills mean less
water for cleaning, less
chemicals mean less risk
for wastewater load
- Less energy means less
fuel and coal to transport
and manipulate
Less material losses mean
less energy for recycling
(for milling waste, for
melting recycling material)
Less chemicals require
less use of ventilation,
extraction and eventual
treatment of exhaust gas
(e.g. by post combustion)
Less need for water
makeup means less
need for water treatment
(biocides, anti foulants,
physical-chemical
treatment of water)
- Less processing of
materials often means
less auxiliary materials
(additives, lubricants)
Less use of chemicals
means less need to
clean up spillages by
absorbents, generates less
waste from neutralizing
or disposing of residual
chemicals
Hot surfaces, steam leaks
or hot liquids can hurt
workers
Uncontrolled dust can
cause lung problems for
workers or even explosion
problems
- Spills of chemicals can
cause accidents and
emissions which endanger
workers health
Table 9: Overlaps between water efficiency, energy conservation, material efficiency and chemicals
29