Introduction
In simple terms, eco-efficiency means doing more with less.
Since its introduction at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, the concept
of eco-efficiency has been internationally recognised as the way
business can contribute to the sustainability of our society.
Eco-efficiency is strongly supported by the business community
because it recognises the benefits of combining economic and environmental
objectives. By being eco-efficient, goods and services can be
produced with less energy and fewer raw materials, resulting in
less waste, less pollution and less cost.
The main objective of eco-efficiency is ecologically sustainable
development. The State Government supports this objective by ensuring
eco-efficiency principles underpin its environmental policies,
including its waste and pollution strategies.
For more information, download the Eco-efficiency
information sheet (73KB PDF).
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Wine storage tanks
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EPA initiatives
Many businesses and industries within South Australia have responded
to the eco-efficiency challenge by adopting cleaner production
methods, recycling and re-use. The EPA assists this process with
several eco-efficiency initiatives.
These initiatives are designed to protect the environment, and
assist companies to meet and exceed compliance requirements, reduce
liabilities, improve occupational health and safety and increase
productivity and bottom line profits.
Management tools
Eco-efficiency checklist
Even if you don't think your business has an environmental impact,
it is worth filling out the EPA's Office
Eco-efficiency Checklist (644KB PDF).
This will enable your business to identify and take meaningful
action to become more eco-efficient.
Environmental management systems, public environmental reporting
and life cycle assessment
In addition to simple environmental auditing tools like the Eco-efficiency
Checklist, there are many other management tools available to
businesses seeking to become eco-efficient.
Eco-efficiency management tools include:
- environmental management systems which structure the
management of environmental performance
- public environmental reporting which enables organisations
to publicise details on environmental initiatives and performance
- life cycle assessment which assesses the environmental
impact of the creation of goods and services relative from the
sourcing of raw materials to eventual disposal.
>> More on these management tools including
summaries and links.
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Wetlands
can be used for
wastewater treatment |
Case Studies
Cleaner production, an important aspect of eco-efficiency, eliminates
or reduces pollution at the earliest point in the manufacture
or delivery of goods and services. Cleaner production results
in efficiency and reduced risks to humans and the environment.
Using companies that were provided financial support, the EPA
has developed case studies for different industry sectors that
demonstrate the environmental and economic benefits of cleaner
production and waste minimisation.
These case studies demonstrate emphatically that the concept
of cleaner production and waste minimisation provide, in practice,
practical industrial benefits.
Businesses documented in case studies include:
PDF versions of these case studies are available from EPA
publications.
While the above case studies address process efficiencies within
the site of each business, the impact of these processes extends
far beyond the boundaries of the site to the suppliers of raw
materials, packaging, transport/logistics, warehousing, distribution
and maintenance services. Eco-efficiency improvements in the suppliers
associated with a business, not only potentially cuts the costs
of raw materials and resources but can also result in improved
communication with suppliers and more efficient logistics. This
is commonly referred to as Greening
the Supply Chain.
As a Greening the Supply Chain case study, the EPA in 2003, formed
a partnership with the Yalumba Wine Company, a major SA business,
to improve its environmental performance through efficiencies
in supply chain management.
The EPA is supporting the SA Wine Industry Association to improve
the environmental performance of its industry members.
>> More including Greening the
Supply Chain.
Training and assistance
Small Business Eco-efficiency Training Program
This program offers training courses to small and medium sized
businesses throughout the state. These courses are run in cooperation
with various agencies including local councils, Natural Resource
Management (NRM) Boards and Business Enterprise Centres (BECs).
The Small Business Eco-efficiency Training Program aims to help
businesses understand what eco-efficiency means and how they can
benefit. Tools and techniques are provided to help identify efficiencies
that in many cases result in financial benefit and reduced environmental
impacts.
For further information on the training program, contact the
program
coordinator.
Business SA programs
Environmental Improvers
The EPA has developed a training package specifically designed
to assist businesses to draw up and implement their own Environmental
Management Plan (EMP). The Environment Improvers program is delivered
on a regular basis by Business SA and is divided into 5 x half-day
modules over 3 weeks, consisting of an introduction to environmental
issues, water efficiency, waste reduction, energy conservation
and compiling an EMP. This introductory program serves as an excellent
starting point to develop a more comprehensive Environment Management
System (EMS) capable of complying with ISO 14001. To encourage
businesses to develop their own EMP, the EPA will partly refund
the fees of participants who have completed the program.
The next Environmental Improvers programs will be held at Business SA:
July/August program: Wednesday 30 July, Wednesday 6 August, Wednesday 13 August
October program: Friday 10 October, Friday 17 October, Friday 24 October
View the Business SA Environment Improvers Program information for course details and registration forms.
Resources
Directories
National Pollutant
Inventory
The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) provides information on
the types and amounts of certain emissions and their impact on
human health and the environment.
Public
Environmental Reporting
This Environment Australia web portal provides links to environmental
reports for Australian Business. More details are provided at
the site.
Publications
Small Business Environmental Management Solutions
Business SA, in collaboration with the EPA, WorkCover and the
City of Onkaparinga, has released Small Business Environmental
Management Solutions. This handbook provides small business
with the necessary information to develop their own in-house system
for managing their environmental impacts.
Should small businesses require further assistance to develop
their own environmental management system, Business SA will be
holding free Environmental Improvers workshops
The handbook (265KB
PDF) and workshop entry
form can be downloaded.
Business and the Environment
The Business and the Environment handbook is a practical
guide designed to help businesses manage environmental issues
now and into the future. Produced in cooperation with the EPA,
the handbook is supported by a range of services, including:
- an update service
- regular electronic newsletter, B&E
- training materials and programs
- information sessions and workshops
- environmental surveys and analyses
- a legislative updating service for the Environment Protection
Act 1993
- advisory and referral services
- business and environment reference group and consultation
forums.
View summary sheets from the handbook and the B&E
newsletter at Business
SA.
EPA publications
Publications including the Eco-efficiency
information sheet and the Office Eco-efficiency Checklist.
Links
Australian Government
VIC EPA
NSW
EPA
WA
Centre for Excellence in Cleaner Production
Environment
Australia
International
United
Nations Environment Program
USA
EPA
This page was last modified 22-07-2008
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