Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 5.1
Ideas on where to focus to improve efficiency in the food supply chain.
Focus on
Actions
Covered in
Energy
• Reduce energy consumption by improving the process and
recovering heat and cold from processes
• Fix steam and air leaks
• Monitoring energy use by processing equipment
Chapter 11
Raw materials
• Reduce waste of raw materials as a consequence of problems
in the process
• Improve logistics associated with raw materials
• Increase shelf life of products
Chapters 10 & 13
Water and
wastewater
• Reduce water consumption and wastewater generation
• Adopt a closed-loop concept as a goal
Chapter 9
Solid waste
• Use reusable containers for intermediate steps
• Redesign packaging
Chapter 10
Air pollution
• Cut carbon emissions
• Fix refrigerant leaks and install monitoring systems
• Reduce the emission of volatile organic carbon, NOx, SOx, etc.
Chapter 8
Transportation
and logistics
• Understand the impact of transportation on the product
• Enhance the distribution logistics
• Use the most efficient transportation methods
• Reduce business travel
Chapter 13
Building
• Monitor electricity and energy for heating and cooling
• Implement energy conservation strategies
• Install occupancy sensors in spaces where occupancy is inter-
mittent or infrequent such as in private offices, store rooms,
restrooms, warehouses, and conference rooms
• Use energy efficient lighting fixtures
Chapter 11
Improving efficiency, what is usually referred as “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”, is an impor-
tant step in the sustainability staircase that will make us more efficient in the use of nonrenew-
able resources and prepared to use renewable materials and energy, which are currently
expensive and difficult to obtain. Table 5.1 presents some suggestions on where the efforts on
improving efficiency can be targeted as well as the chapters of this topic that cover these top-
ics in depth.
Like the old proverb says “if you don't know where you're going any road will take you
there, improving efficiency is ineffective without a clear plan to manage change. With the
purpose of creating a framework to conduct efficiency improvements, the next sections of this
chapter provides with the management tools for that purpose.
Creating a long-term “genuine green philosophy”
True sustainability is destined to fail without an authentic commitment and participation from
top management. Creating a genuine green philosophy shows the direction the organization
will follow to incorporate and embrace the new paradigm of environmental responsibility.
Following the principles of total quality management (TQM), upper management needs to
provide leadership in the creation of that green philosophy and spread it throughout the
organization. This philosophy should become a focal point of the organization's strategic plan
and a management priority. Key aspects such as education and training on sustainability, the
development of a vision for sustainability, and an implementation strategy (Hitchcock and
Willard, 2002) should also be part of the plan.
