Green Productivity (GP)

is a strategy for simultaneously enhancing productivity and environmental performance for overall socio-economic development that leads to sustained improvement in the quality of human life. It is the combined application of appropriate productivity and environmental management tools, techniques and technologies that reduce the environmental impact of an organization's activities, products and services while enhancing profitability and competitive advantage. Green productivity is a dynamic strategy to harmonize economic growth and environmental protection for sustainable development. It offers small and medium businesses a way to achieve a competitive advantage by doing better with less. It is thus a practical strategy to increase productivity and protect the environment simultaneously. Traditional methods of pollution control were not cost-effective. The concept of green productivity assures profitability and resource productivity. Businesses and communities get multiple returns in the form of bottom-line savings, value added products and services, and environmental protection. Having a good green productivity programme

increases profitability improves health and safety makes quality products promotes environmental protection ensures regulatory compliance enhances company image raises morale leads to sustainable development

Green productivity uses a set of management tools, techniques and technologies to encourage innovation and a continuous cycle of productivity gains. The result is competitive enterprises, preservation of the natural resources, and a better quality of life. A typical comprehensive green productivity programme has three levels of implementation:

Management Systems and Programmes, using ISO 14001/EMS, Total Productive Maintenance, Total Quality Management etc. Green Productivity Techniques, using 3Rs, Housekeeping/5S, Resource Conservation, Product Improvement etc. Green Productivity Tools, using Eco-Mapping, Benchmarking, Control Charts and Check lists etc.

Why Green Productivity?

Why do we need green productivity? There are essentially two reasons: 1. Innovation is a primary driver of economic growth. Green Productivity greens the process of innovation. The starting line was productivity as a cost reduction strategy. By picking up the baton of quality, productivity has metamorphosed to incorporate environmental protection and community enhancement as a means to increase prosperity. Under the umbrella of Green Productivity, innovation, a key engine of economic growth, becomes part of a holistic strategy to move towards a sustainable future. 2. Productivity is essentially a marathon without a finishing line. Just as productivity was the essential strategy that enabled Japan to rebuild after the Second World War, with other Asian nations being attracted to the lure of its success, the 19 member economies of the Asian Productivity Organization have rallied behind a more broadly defined concept of productivity to race in the marathon for sustainability. In "The Concept of Productivity and the Aim of National Productivity Agencies" formulated in Rome in 1959 the Productivity Committee of the European Productivity Agency defined productivity as follows: "Productivity is above all a state of mind. It is an attitude that seeks the continuous improvement of what exists. It is a conviction that one can do better today than yesterday and that tomorrow will be better than today. Furthermore it requires constant efforts to adapt economic activities to ever-changing conditions and the application of new theories and methods. It is a firm belief in the progress of humanity."

Green Productivity Techniques

GP techniques are used to bring about the changes that will result in better environmental performance and improved productivity They range from simple housekeeping techniques to designing "green" products. GOOD HOUSEKEEPING GP techniques include awareness programs and the 5S management techniques which focus on keeping processes, equipment, workplaces and work forces organized, neat, clean, standardized and disciplined. Other good housekeeping techniques relate to measures that prevent the loss of materials, minimize waste, conserve and save energy, and improve operational and organizational procedures.

DESIGN CHANGE The environmental impact of a product is to a large extent determined by its design. By taking environmental considerations into account during product planning, design and development -- and so designing environmentally compatible products -- a company can minimize the negative impact of its products and process on the environment. PROCESS MODIFICATION Process modification is a key GP technique which encompasses both simple and more complex changes -- from replacing inefficient or old processes with new technology. to totally changing the production process used. Such alterations can also involve energy conservation techniques such as the use of efficient appliances and the re-use and recycling of heat. WASTE MANAGEMENT Waste stream segregation and the promotion of recycling, reuse and recovery are two broad techniques used to reduce the amount of waste a company produces and to improve waste disposal. Off-site recycling is often implemented if on-site recovery and reuse of resources is not feasible. Often substantial improvements can be made in the nature and quantity of waste produced by the substitution or purification of some material inputs.

Green Productivity: Steps, Tasks and Tools

STEPS STEP I: GETTING STARTED

TASKS Form a GP team Walk through survey and information collection

TOOLS Brainstorming Attribute analysis Needs analysis Responsibility matrix Checklists, tally charts Flowcharts and process flow diagram Material balance Benchmarking Brainstorming Cause and effect analysis (Ishikawa) Critical path analysis Eco-mapping Gantt chart Force field analysis

STEP II: PLANNING

Identification of problems and causes Setting objectives and targets

STEP III: GENERATION AND EVALUATION OF GP OPTIONS

Generation of GP options Screening and evaluation of GP options Preparation of implementation plan

Brainstorming Cost benefit analysis Eco-mapping Failure made and effect analysis Pareto charts Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT) Training need analysis Team briefing Responsibility matrix Critical path analysis Gantt chart Spider web diagrams Solution effect analysis Eco-mapping Failure mode and effect and analysis Charts (control, tally, etc.) / spider-web diagram The tools are repeated here, since the activities are looped back to the previous steps

STEP IV: IMPLEMENTATION OF GP OPTIONS

Implementation of selected options Training, awareness building and developing competence

STEP V: MONITORING AND REVIEW

Monitoring and evaluation of results Management review

STEP VI: SUSTAINING GP

Incorporate changes Identify new/additional problem areas for continuous improvement