The eco-efficient processes They are transformations divided into phases that harmonize the ecological, economic, social and cultural dimensions with the maximum productivity of resources to generate value. This value will benefit both companies, shareholders, customers and society in general..
This is a concept that emerged within the framework of sustainable or sustainable development and as such it has as reference the four indicated dimensions. Any production process, whether of products or services, to be eco-efficient must have a system approach and be ecologically sustainable.
In addition, it must be economically profitable, maximizing the use of resources and reducing the generation of waste and emissions. All in order to contribute to improving the quality of life of citizens from an integral point of view.
To achieve an eco-efficient process, the appropriate management tools and technology must be implemented. These range from the production processes themselves, to the accounting that is applied to control profitability and efficiency..
The fundamental basis of eco-efficient processes is the development of technologies appropriate to the objectives set, in terms of technical and environmental efficiency. Therefore, it is essential to reduce energy use, use clean energy and reduce waste and emissions..
Article index
A given production process can be efficient in exclusively economic terms because it generates a maximum rate of profit from the production factors involved. However, to be eco-efficient, any production process must include other dimensions in addition to the economic, giving rise to systems with a complex structure..
These systems are not linear, in terms of considering only classical factors as inputs and outputs. They are network systems where the ecological impact of obtaining the raw material, transport, marketing and use as well as the work environment comes into play..
This is the axis of eco-efficient processes, in terms of achieving the least possible negative impact on ecosystems and the environment in general. A certain process can be very efficient in terms of the use of raw materials and profitability, and yet be ecologically unsustainable.
This is expressed in the paradox of Jevons (1865), who emphasized that the more efficient coal machines instead of decreasing, increased the use of the resource. Therefore, being economical to use them, their use was increased and therefore a greater consumption of the coal resource was made..
Although a non-eco-efficient process is not sustainable, neither is one that is not economically profitable, even if it implies a low ecological impact. The sustainability of production processes in the framework of a market economy requires economic profitability.
Only those processes that the State is responsible for developing can be sustained with a lower than average profitability. This is the case of education, health, security and defense.
Eco-efficient processes seek to increase the productivity of resources in order to reduce the consumption of raw materials. This taking into consideration the economic and ecological cost of obtaining them..
On the other hand, it is about minimizing waste and emissions throughout the production, marketing and use process..
Eco-efficient processes must contribute to improving the quality of life of all those involved (employers, workers and consumers). Understanding the quality of life also in terms of eco-efficiency, that is, in achieving the balance between satisfaction of needs and sustainability.
Achieving eco-efficient processes implies the implementation of a wide variety of management and technological tools. Among these, the starting point is to have a staff that is motivated and trained in the fundamental concepts and procedures of sustainability, eco-efficiency and circular economy..
An eco-efficient process requires additional accounting to which only considers monetary income and expenses. The ecological and social impact of production processes must be incorporated into business balance sheets.
The ecobalance must include the balance of income and expenses of materials and energy during the production process (organizational balance). Likewise, the efficiency in the use of inputs (process balance) and the environmental impact of products and waste (product balance) are analyzed..
Ultimately, the price of the product should reflect not only the cost of production and profit margin, but also the built-in ecological cost.
The achievement of eco-efficient processes merits a continuous evaluation of the production processes for their permanent improvement. An effective tool is the use of comparative studies to detect improvements implemented by other companies that can be generalized..
A fundamental area for establishing eco-efficient processes is the definition of clear and quantifiable eco-efficiency indicators. These indicators should show the achievements in the maximization of the use of resources considering the economic, ecological, social and cultural levels..
This includes reducing the use of fossil fuels, reducing waste and emissions, and reducing raw materials, among other aspects. In general terms, the integration of economic and ecological indicators allows to establish the eco-efficiency of the evaluated process.
To calculate the eco-efficiency of a process, the formula can be applied:
Eco-efficiency = added value of the product / ecological impact of its production process.
Any increase in efficiency and more if we talk about eco-efficient processes, implies having the appropriate technologies. These technologies must be efficient not only economically and technically, but must also be clean technologies.
In addition, to be truly sustainable, technologies must also consider the labor and social dimension.
It is a Spanish company that produces shoes from recycled materials, which considers the economic, environmental and social aspects of its production process. First of all, the shoes are made from tires and other recycled materials, as well as environmentally friendly materials..
On the other hand, they take care that toxic substances are not used in the production or extraction of raw materials, or in the elaboration of the product. In this way, they care for both the environment and the workers who produce them and the consumer..
In addition, they promote local consumption to reduce the economic and ecological costs of transport and the products generated present innovative high-quality designs..
Another outstanding aspect that characterizes the eco-efficient process of this company is the allocation of the price to the product. Thus, each pair of shoes has a score based on both the economic cost and the ecological cost that includes CO2 emissions produced in their manufacture, nature of the materials and transport..
This great company has been developing programs aimed at achieving eco-efficient processes for many decades. This includes reducing hazardous waste and recycling discarded appliances..
Regarding the reduction of hazardous substances, it has reached an eco-efficiency close to 97% since 1987. Its program also includes the efficient use of water and energy, as well as the reduction of CO2 emissions..
In addition, it cares about the social dimension in relation to its workforce and the communities near the production sites. As well as supporting nature conservation programs and issuing annual reports of CO2 emissions.
Mexico is one of the Latin American countries where efforts are made to implement sustainability criteria in development. This includes the business turn towards eco-efficient processes, that is, they include the ecological and social dimension in their economic efficiency parameters..
In this sense, there are examples of positive experiences in companies such as PeosiCo México, Hewlett-Packard and Procter & Gamble México. In fact, between 2011 and 2012 business investments in Mexico aimed at reducing emissions and reducing the negative environmental impact increased by 47%.
The comprehensive approach implemented by the PepsiCo de México company is an example of progress towards an eco-efficient process. This consists of involving the entire production chain from raw material suppliers to the final product in the environmental approach..
For example, the application of sustainable agriculture practices in the crops that supply potatoes for some of their production lines..
The Mexican cement company is one of the largest CO2 emitters in the country, mainly due to the high energy consumption of its blast furnaces. In this sense, this company makes efforts to advance towards eco-efficient processes, implementing clean technologies and using waste from other industries as fuel..
Yet No Comments