Measuring the Results of Your Environmental Efficiency Program

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Each week, we answer your questions by tapping our network of experts in companies, nonprofits, government agencies, and consultancies.

We started an environmental efficiency program last year and now we're wondering: How we can measure our results?

According to Lee Jimerson, manager of manufacturing and architectural accounts for Collins Wood Company, what you need are eco-indicators to map your progress. Eco-indicators are, in their most basic form, a quantification of resources used or product/waste generated. Examples include gallons of water used, pounds of mail received, or tons of wood chips consumed. To bring eco-indicators to "life" so that they have meaning to the employees, you need to add a denominator. Adding a denominator to the examples above gives you gallons of water used to manufacture 1000 board feet of lumber, pounds of mail received per month, or tons of wood chips used to manufacture 1000 square feet of particleboard.

You also need to establish a baseline. That is, how much were you using/producing before you started making changes because of your environmental efficiency program? You may need to do some digging, but you should be able to uncover the figures from last year by looking at old electric bills and purchase orders. If you can't get an actual baseline, estimate one. What is important is measuring what you do from today onward. You can't change the past, but you can change the future! Finally, post the eco-indicators on a graph where your employees can see the change month-to-month, and communicate to your employees the company's goals for the eco-indicators. You will be amazed at the power of eco-indicators!

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Good Company helps companies and institutions improve their social and environmental practices while respecting the bottom line.

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