SGP Update

In an earlier column, I addressed how to establish a Sustainability Management System. A key outcome of this activity is the identification of your environmental aspects. An environmental aspect is an element of your company’s activities, products or services that can impact the environment. Develop a list of environmental aspects using the process maps of your company's activities, but do not expect to work on all the environmental aspects at once. But it is quite understood that as a result of implementing a SMS, you also will work toward continuous improvement. Continuous improvement implies that there is an ongoing process where you will address some concerns now and others in the future.

A continuous improvement project is one that focuses on one of your environmental aspects in order to reduce your company’s impact on the environment. The project should be supported by an objective, target, and a clear, detailed plan of action outlining specifically how the company will achieve the objective. Certification as a Sustainable Green Printing Partnership requires a facility to set annual sustainability goals. Even if you are not moving down the SGP pathway, setting goals and objectives provides your facility with structure when addressing sustainability issues.

For instance, you may have identified the use of solvents in your workplace as an environmental aspect. Next, you will set a corresponding target. A target is a detailed performance requirement. All continuous improvement projects should be supported by an objective and target. It is recommended that you use the SMART approach to setting objectives and accomplishing this task.

SMART is an acronym that describes the key characteristics of meaningful objectives, which are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound. Let’s take a more detailed look at each SMART element as it applies to sustainability any objectives you implement in your facility.

• Specific: The objective is concrete, detailed, focused and well-defined. It must be straightforward, emphasize action and state the required outcome. The sustainability focus or reason for the objective must be clearly identified.
• Measurable: Progress must be measured to stay on track, reach target dates and monitor achievements. To determine if an objective is measurable, ask questions such as: How much? How many? How will I know when it is accomplished?
• Achievable: Achievable means the facility actually has the ability and resources to meet the objective. Achieving the objective may require skills, money or equipment.
• Relevant: The objective must be pertinent to sustainability and the organization. A goal based on economic incentives, such as dollars saved, is not acceptable. It must relate to a recognized sustainability element, such as energy saved.
• Time-Bound: Deadlines must be set for achieving the objective. Deadlines need to be both achievable and realistic. It is recommended that a time frame of 12 months be adopted, as this will not only spur change but create a strong foundation for future activities.

Again, based on our original aspect of solvent usage, we realistically could create the following SMART objective that could be used for a continuous improvement project:

Over the next 12 months, we will reduce the amount of solvent used in our pressroom by 15 percent as compared to the previous 12 months.

It is specific and straight forward and includes a strong action statement. You can measure the outcome, and a 15 percent reduction is realistically achievable. This action is relevant as reduction of solvent usage will both decrease environmental impact and possibly improve working conditions. Finally, the statement includes a definitive timeline.

And, most importantly, it is short, sweet and to the point. Another key element is communication of your goal to your stakeholder groups, including your employees. This statement, as presented, provides direction, purpose and expected outcome.

A key element, not to be overlooked in this effort, is measurement. It is critical that any objective adopted be measurable so you can gauge the success of the project. Developing a set of metrics for your operation will help you gauge the effectiveness of your sustainability efforts and provide you with a story to tell your employees, customers and neighbors.

SGIA recommends that facilities take time to create baseline metrics, which could include: VOC emissions, emissions of hazardous air pollutants, energy usage, water usage, hazardous waste generated, solid waste generated, and injury and illness statistics. In the objective statement that we have been discussing, it will be critical to have an accurate picture of both the amount of solvent used, VOC emissions associated with the use of the solvent and the amount of hazardous waste that may be generated as a result of solvent usage. Tracking this information will provide your facility with a complete picture of the impact of reducing your solvent usage by 15 percent.

Use the SMART model to set objectives, then review them carefully to make sure they meet your needs and ensure baseline metrics are in place that allow you to measurably track progress. Then, when it is time to re-evaluate your progress, you have the tools to complete the task and set a new objective that will take you further down the sustainability pathway.