It is becoming evident that economics is now driving environmental action. Economics used to be the excuse to avoid environmental concerns as “not economically viable.”

Sustainability is the new buzz word for corporate shareholders, banks, municipalities, financial and insurance companies. BMEs (big and medium enterprises) and most SMEs are being asked to show, in shareholder meetings, loan applications, questionnaires, vendor applications, RFQs and annual reports on how prepared the company is to sustain its business in reaction to the effects of global warming and climate change. Companies that want to be suppliers to these institutions have to complete vendor questionnaires or show compliance with their corporate environmental policies and standards.

A good example is the CIBC Environmentally Responsible Procurement Standard, which requires an environmental evaluation form to be completed by all suppliers. Some of the questions are as follows: Question A1: Does your company have a documented environmental management system (EMS)? A2: Is the EMS externally certifiable under ISO 14001, or similar standard? If yes, you can skip the next seven questions. Further questions ask about supporting sustainable forest management (FSC or SFI certification) and regulatory compliance. It shows the understanding that if there is a companywide EMS in place, issues such as regulatory compliance, environmental impact, staff training and waste are being managed and are sustainable. (I’d be happy to discuss EMS implementation with you if you wish; my contact info is below.)

Heads up!
As part of Ontario’s Clean Water Act, backflow prevention devices are now mandatory on all commercial, industrial and institutional water meter systems. For the GTA, this came into effect last October and the deadline is Dec. 31, 2008 under the municipal code chapter 851 (Water Supply Bylaw).

Guelph has had a similar bylaw for 23 years and B.C. for 37; Toronto is obviously behind here. Please contact me for more info or visit: www.toronto.ca/water/protecting_quality/backflow_pervention/index.htm.

Climate Change
The debate has ended on this subject. Nobody questions the reality of climate change anymore, and we are past a significant tipping point. The question now is how bad the effects will be and what we can do to minimize the impact on our businesses and, in some cases, our lives.

David Suzuki said a few years ago at the first Printers Environmental Award ceremony, that the environment is the economics of the future. It is also the greatest opportunity since the invention of the steam engine for those companies and entrepreneurs with forethought, fresh ideas and understanding of transitional and adaptive management. Adaptation involves making adjustments in our decisions, activities and thinking because of observed or expected changes in climate in order to moderate harm (reduce negative impacts) or take advantage of new opportunities. It will be an economic boom for new cleaner technologies, renewable energy and rethought waste management systems.

The alternative is to face, unprepared, the myriad of new regulations and rising costs of paper, oil based solvents, inks, energy and waste disposal by trying to maintain business as usual; thus, starting off as an ostrich and ending as a dinosaur, which would not be able to adapt either.

Eco-prosperity
The concept of profitability and sustainability being linked to environmental initiatives, at the grass roots level, is well illustrated in the recent CFIB report “Achieving Eco-prosperity,” a SME perspective on the environment. The survey generated thousands of comments from its membership, many of whom are printers.

At a recent MOE workshop on proposed new toxics reduction regulations, I used examples from the report, and the ministry was all over this like white on rice. You can download it at the Achieving Eco-prosperity website link: http://www.cfib.ca/research/reports/rr3039.pdf.

Eco-risk
It’s a fact that an environmental incident or latent discovery is the one thing that can reduce the value of a property or business to below zero. Turning a once on-going concern into an un-saleable liability. So, to protect yourself and your business, I suggest that if you intend to sell or buy a facility in the near future have a Phase One Environmental Site Assessment conducted. You don’t have to use the more expensive, big outfits to do it. Many experienced, well-qualified individual consultants can provide reports of equal quality. In fact, many larger environmental engineering companies sub-contract out to these same individuals; I know this from being one.

If you intend to continue at your current facility, I recommend having a multimedia Pollution Prevention Assessment conducted, especially if you intend to expand. A properly conducted P2 assessment will discover cost reduction opportunities while recommending remedial action for issues of concern. Check out the consultants P2 credentials before hiring, as this requires a definite specialty skill set. Go to the OCETA website to view case studies of many printing and packaging companies that have benefited from these P2 assessments: www.oceta.on.ca/TORSUS/.

There are funding and cost sharing programs available to assist you. I’d like to help you gain eco-efficiency and reduce your liabilities so that you do achieve sustainability for the future.