Businesses that look ahead and actively manage their ecological risks and opportunities can gain a strong competitive advantage. Ecological footprint calculation schemes are increasingly used to help companies improve their market foresight, decide on strategic directions, manage performance and communicate their strengths. By providing a common unit, the footprint indicators establish benchmarks, set quantitative targets and evaluate alternatives for future activities.

Just take a CIP!

• Project targets fresh water rationalisation in production processes
• Case-by-case system design is critical to developing successful CIP solutions 

The EU-funded AquaFit4Use initiative explored news ways to help industries rationalise their use of fresh drinking water in production processes. The project looked into water-saving cleaning-in-place (CIP) solutions according to a number of key parameters, called the 5 Ts), which ensure the effectiveness of the system:

'Una mas' benefit thanks to EMAS...

• EMAS practices and eco-design principles delivered solid results for printer
• Results included less toxic chemicals used, energy savings and huge increase in recycled paper use

El Tinter in Spain is specialised in offset printing books, magazines, catalogues and all kinds of colour printed products. After implementing its eco-management and audit system (EMAS), the firm was able to decrease its use of various hazardous substances:

Glass-maker seeks transparency ... in environmental performance

Computer comparison test

• Energy efficient computer is 7 % cheaper in terms of overall procurement costs
• Slightly higher investment costs are recuperated in one year
• Energy efficient model reduces CO2 emissions by around 32 %

Comparing conventional verses energy efficient computer models, businesses can get an idea of not only the environmental benefits, but also the cost-savings.

Companies can lower their environmental impact by using more sustainable office equipment including printers, office chairs, computer screens and so on. Using sustainability criteria, such as the appliance's energy use and how easy or hard it is to recycle or reuse parts of the product, you can study the advantages of replacing current office equipment with more environmentally friendly alternatives. These products may cost more to purchase but are cheaper in the long run due to their longer lifespan or reduced energy use.

Bale up! Smart waste solution 

Pack it down and cut waste costs!

• Compacting restaurant waste reduces volume, cost and hauling
• Around € 1 400 saved on waste-removal every month
• Up to 80 % reduction of associated CO2 emissions from hauling

Panera Bread is an environmentally friendly restaurant in San Francisco, USA. Its 'green' focus extends to the way the restaurant handles waste as well. Installing a compactor was seen as vital to reducing its waste volumes.

Waste management is a big part of business operations which is often overlooked in terms of potential environmental and business benefits.

Compactors crush waste into a smaller volume, allowing more waste to be collected in the same bin and reducing the time dedicated to moving waste around. Baling can further help by automatically tying the waste into bundles that are ready for disposal.