Sustainable Development Strategy in Canada

Sustainable Development Strategy in Canada is about the Government of Canada

Government of Canada

The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...

finding ways to develop social

Social

The term social refers to a characteristic of living organisms...

, financial

FINANCIAL

FINANCIAL is the weekly English-language newspaper with offices in Tbilisi, Georgia and Kiev, Ukraine. Published by Intelligence Group LLC, FINANCIAL is focused on opinion leaders and top business decision-makers; It's about world’s largest companies, investing, careers, and small business. It is...

, and environmental

Natural environment

The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species....

resources that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs in Canada

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

. A Sustainable Development Strategy

Sustainable development

Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come...

for the organization needs to be developed that establishes the Sustainable Development goals and objectives set by the Auditor General Act

Auditor General Act

The Auditor General Act is an Act of Parliament respecting the office of the Auditor General of Canada and sustainable development monitoring and reporting.-External links:*...

of Canada and provides the written policies and procedures

Policies and Procedures

Policies and procedures are a set of documents that describe an organization's policies for operation and the procedures necessary to fulfill the policies...

to achieve them. Sustainable Development

Sustainable development

is based on responsible decision-making, which considers not only the economic

Environmental economics

Environmental economics is a subfield of economics concerned with environmental issues. Quoting from the National Bureau of Economic Research Environmental Economics program:...

benefits of development

Economic development

Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...

, but also the short-term and long-term, Canadian environment

Canadian environment

The environment is the subject of ministries AT the federal and provincial level in Canada, with the current highest environmental government official being the national Minister of the Environment Peter Kent. Canada's large land mass and coastline make it very susceptible to any climate changes,...

and environmental impacts

Environmental impact assessment

An environmental impact assessment is an assessment of the possible positive or negative impact that a proposed project may have on the environment, together consisting of the natural, social and economic aspects....

Overview

All Canadians have a role to play in advancing Sustainable Development, including all levels of government

Government

Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...

, business

Business

A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...

and industry

Industry

Industry refers to the production of an economic good or service within an economy.-Industrial sectors:There are four key industrial economic sectors: the primary sector, largely raw material extraction industries such as mining and farming; the secondary sector, involving refining, construction,...

, civil society

Civil society

Civil society is composed of the totality of many voluntary social relationships, civic and social organizations, and institutions that form the basis of a functioning society, as distinct from the force-backed structures of a state , the commercial institutions of the market, and private criminal...

, community group

Community organizing

Community organizing is a process where people who live in proximity to each other come together into an organization that acts in their shared self-interest. A core goal of community organizing is to generate durable power for an organization representing the community, allowing it to influence...

s and citizens.
The importance of developing a balance between economic growth, social well-being and the health of the environment is in the forefront of public opinion. Canadians realize that a healthy environment is imperative for our long-term economic, social well-being and quality of life. The organization must have the ability to adopt innovative environmental practices and reduce their ecological footprint. The organization must develop a sustainable future through various strategies

Strategy

Strategy, a word of military origin, refers to a plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal. In military usage strategy is distinct from tactics, which are concerned with the conduct of an engagement, while strategy is concerned with how different engagements are linked...

, policies, programs, and operations. A key pillar of the organizations approach to Sustainable Development should be to establish a Sustainable Development Strategy. This strategy is an important tool to help guide the organization in systematically integrating the principles of Sustainable Development into their policies, programs, legislation

Environmental law

Environmental law is a complex and interlocking body of treaties, conventions, statutes, regulations, and common law that operates to regulate the interaction of humanity and the natural environment, toward the purpose of reducing the impacts of human activity...

and operations.

Auditor General Act

In 1995, the Auditor General Act

Auditor General Act

The Auditor General Act is an Act of Parliament respecting the office of the Auditor General of Canada and sustainable development monitoring and reporting.-External links:*...

was amended to encourage stronger Sustainable Development performance by the Federal Government of Canada

Government of Canada

Mission statement

Sustainable Development is a key goal for public policy

Public policy

Public policy as government action is generally the principled guide to action taken by the administrative or executive branches of the state with regard to a class of issues in a manner consistent with law and institutional customs. In general, the foundation is the pertinent national and...

in Canada and should be made the foundation of the organizations approach to environmental management. This understanding should be reflected in the creation of a Mission Statement

Mission statement

A mission statement is a statement of the purpose of a company or organization. The mission statement should guide the actions of the organization, spell out its overall goal, provide a path, and guide decision-making...

for the organization, which outlines its commitment to making Sustainable Development a reality in Canada.

Environmental Management System (EMS)

The organization should implement an Environmental Management System

Environmental Management System

Environmental management system refers to the management of an organization's environmental programs in a comprehensive, systematic, planned and documented manner....

(EMS). This systematic approach to dealing with the environmental aspects of an organization is a 'tool' that enables an organization to control the impact of its activities, products and services on the natural environment. The ISO 14001

ISO 14000

The ISO 14000 environmental management standards exist to help organizations minimize how their operations negatively affect the environment The ISO 14000 environmental management standards exist to help organizations (a) minimize how their operations (processes etc.) negatively affect the...

standard "Environmental management systems--Specification with guidance for use" is the standard within the ISO 14000 series that specifies the requirements of an EMS.

Environmental Management System Manual (EMSM)

The creation of an Environmental Management System Manual (EMSM) is to provide the framework for the organization's EMS. It should identify the elements and procedures for all staff, relating to environmental management.

Environmental Management System Documentation

The organization should establish and maintain information in paper or electronic form, to describe the core elements of the management system and their interaction and provide direction to related documentation.

Environmental Management Program (EMP)

The organization requires an Environmental Management Program (EMP), which is developed for environmental aspects to map out the organization's course of action to reduce environmental impact and to turn words into actions. An EMP must describe how targets will be achieved; the performance measures used to report on progress; identify personnel responsible for achieving these targets; and establish time frames for achievement. Generally, an EMP lists what is to be done, how it is to be done, who is going to do it and how long it is going to take. At the end of every fiscal year, the EMPs are reported on and updated for the next year. The development of an EMP is the key to fulfilling the organization's Sustainable Development strategy for developing and implementing an ISO comparable EMS. This initiative should include integrating environmental best practices into projects, programmes and processes, and strengthening existing environmental practices.

Commitment to Sustainable Development

The organization should focus on four key goals:

Reduce the effects of their operations on land
Land (economics)
In economics, land comprises all naturally occurring resources whose supply is inherently fixed. Examples are any and all particular geographical locations, mineral deposits, and even geostationary orbit locations and portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Natural resources are fundamental to...

, air, and water
Water
Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...

;
Programs should demonstrate sustainable service delivery;
All employees apply Sustainable Development in their jobs; and
Employ modern systems that support and maintain Sustainable Development.

Environment policy

The organization should define the organization's environmental policy and ensure that it is appropriate to the nature, scale and environmental impacts of its activities, products and services. That it includes a commitment to continual improvement and prevention of pollution. Provides a commitment to comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations and with other requirements to which the organization subscribes. Create a framework for setting and reviewing environmental objectives and targets. Documented audit trail that reflects implementation and maintenance of the policy and have it communicated to all employees with availability to the public.

Environmental aspects

The organization should establish and maintain procedures to identify the environmental aspects of its activities, products and services that it can control and over which it can be expected to have an influence, in order to determine those, which have or can have significant impacts on the environment. The organization should ensure that the aspects related to these significant impacts are considered in setting its environmental objectives. The organization must keep this information up-to-date.

Legal and other requirements

The organization should establish and maintain a procedure to identify and have access to legal and other requirements to which the organization subscribes, that are applicable to the environmental aspects of its activities, products or services and the relevant Acts

Act (document)

An act is an instrument that records a fact or something that has been said, done, or agreed. Acts generally take the form of legal instruments of writing that have probative value and executory force...

Environmental objectives and targets

The organization should establish and maintain documented environmental objectives and targets, at each relevant function and level within the organization. When establishing and reviewing its objectives, the organization must consider the legal and other requirements, its significant environmental aspects, its technological

Technology

Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...

options and its financial, operational and business requirements and views of interested parties. The objectives and targets should be consistent with the environmental policy

Environmental policy

Environmental policy is any [course of] action deliberately taken [or not taken] to manage human activities with a view to prevent, reduce, or mitigate harmful effects on nature and natural resources, and ensuring that man-made changes to the environment do not have harmful effects on...

, including the commitment to prevent pollution

Pollution

Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light...

Organizational structure and responsibility

The roles, responsibility and authorities should be defined, documented and communicated in order to facilitate effective environmental management. The organization should provide resources essential to the implementation and control of the EMS. Resources available should include human resources with specialized skills, technology and financial resources. The organizations top management should appoint specific management representatives who, irrespective of other responsibilities, have defined roles, responsibilities and authority for:

Ensuring that EMS requirements are established, implemented and maintained in accordance with this standard; and
Reporting on the performance of the EMS to top management for review and as a basis for improvement of the EMS.

Communication

With regard to its environmental aspects and environmental management system, the organization should establish and maintain procedures for internal communication

Organizational communication

Organizational communication is a subfield of the larger discipline of communication studies. Organizational communication, as a field, is the consideration, analysis, and criticism of the role of communication in organizational contexts....

between the various levels and functions of the organization and the receiving, documenting and responding to relevant communication from external interested parties,. The organization should consider processes for external communication on its significant environmental aspects and record its decisions.

Document control

Documentation should be legible, dated and readily identifiable, maintained in an orderly manner and retained for a specified period. Procedures and responsibilities should be established and maintained concerning the creation and modification of the various types of documents. The organization should establish and maintain procedures for controlling all documents required for their Sustainable Development as follows:

They must be periodically reviewed, revised as necessary and approved for adequacy by authorized personnel;
The current versions of relevant documents made available at all locations where operations essential to the effective functioning of the environmental management system are performed;
Obsolete documents need to be promptly removed from all points of issue and points of use, or otherwise assured against unintended use; and
The obsolete documents should be retained for legal and/or knowledge preservation purposes are suitably identified.

Operational control

The organization should identify those operations and activities that are associated with the identified significant environmental aspects in line with its policy, objectives and targets. They should plan these activities, including maintenance, in order to ensure that they are carried out under specified conditions by:

Establishing and maintaining documented procedures to cover situations where their absence could lead to deviations from the environmental policy and the objectives and targets;
Stipulating operating criteria in the procedures; and
Establishing and maintaining procedures related to the identifiable significant environmental aspects of goods and services used by the organization and communicating relevant procedures and requirements to suppliers and contractors.

Emergency preparedness and response

The organization should establish and maintain procedures to identify the potential for and respond to environmental disaster

Environmental disaster

An environmental disaster is a disaster to the natural environment due to human activity. It should not be confused with the separate concept of a natural disaster.-History:...

s, accident

Accident

An accident or mishap is an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance, often with lack of intention or necessity. It implies a generally negative outcome which may have been avoided or prevented had circumstances leading up to the accident been recognized, and acted upon, prior to its...

s and emergency

Emergency

An emergency is a situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or environment. Most emergencies require urgent intervention to prevent a worsening of the situation, although in some situations, mitigation may not be possible and agencies may only be able to offer palliative...

situations and for preventing and mitigating the environmental impacts

Environmental degradation

Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water and soil; the destruction of ecosystems and the extinction of wildlife...

that may be associated with them. The organization should review and revise, where necessary, its emergency preparedness and response procedures, in particular, after the occurrence of accidents or emergency situations.

Monitoring and measurement

The organization should establish and maintain documented procedures to monitor and measure, on a regular basis, the key characteristics of its operations and activities that can have a significant impact on the environment. This would entail a requirement to establish and maintain documented procedures for periodically evaluating compliance with relevant environmental legislation and regulations.

Non-conformance and corrective and preventive action

The organization needs to establish and maintain procedures for identifying responsibility and authority for handling and investigating non-conformance, taking action to mitigate any environmental impacts caused and for initiating and completing corrective and preventative action.

Records

Establish and maintain procedures for the identification, maintenance and dispositions of environmental records. These records should include training records and the results of audits and reviews.

Internal audit

The organization should establish and maintain programs and procedures for periodic EMS internal audit

Internal audit

Internal auditing is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organization's operations. It helps an organization accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk...

s to be carried out, in order to determine whether or not the EMS functions according to policies and procedures and provide information on the results of audit

Audit

The general definition of an audit is an evaluation of a person, organization, system, process, enterprise, project or product. The term most commonly refers to audits in accounting, but similar concepts also exist in project management, quality management, and energy conservation.- Accounting...

s to management. The internal audit program, including any schedule, should be based on the environmental importance of the activity concerned and the results of previous audits. In order to be comprehensive, the audit procedures should cover the audit scope, frequency, and methodologies, as well as the responsibilities and requirements for conducting audits and reporting results.

Management review

Senior management should, at reasonable time intervals review the EMS, to ensure its continuing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness. The management review

Management review

A management review is a management study into a project's status and allocation of resources. It is different from both a software engineering peer review, which evaluates the technical quality of software products, and a software audit, which is an externally conducted audit into a project's...

process should ensure that the necessary information is collected to allow management to carry out this evaluation. This review should be documented. The management review should address the possible need for changes to policy, objectives and other elements of the environmental management system, in light of EMS audit results, changing circumstances and the commitments to continual improvement.

Human resources

Sustainable human resources

Human resources

Human resources is a term used to describe the individuals who make up the workforce of an organization, although it is also applied in labor economics to, for example, business sectors or even whole nations...

practices encourage working arrangements that support environmental objectives, the provision of environmental awareness into all training programs, and the promotion of environmental practices.

Training, awareness and competence

There is a requirement to identify training

Training and development

In the field of human resource management, training and development is the field which is concerned with organizational activity aimed at bettering the performance of individuals and groups in organizational settings...

needs. It should require that all personnel, whose work may create a significant impact upon the environment, have appropriate training. It should establish and maintain procedures to make its employees or members at each relevant function and level aware of:

The importance of conformance with the environmental policy and procedures and with the requirements of the environmental management system;
The significant environmental impacts, actual or potential, of their work activities and the environmental benefits of improved personal performance;
Their roles and responsibilities in achieving conformance with the environmental policy and procedures and with the requirements of the environmental management system, including emergency preparedness and response requirements; and
The potential consequences of departure from specified operating procedures.

Personnel performing the tasks which can cause significant environmental impacts should be competent on the basis of appropriate education, training and/or experience.

Employees

The contribution of every organization employee is important. Everyday, they all have the opportunity to make choices that affect occupational safety and health

Occupational safety and health

Occupational safety and health is a cross-disciplinary area concerned with protecting the safety, health and welfare of people engaged in work or employment. The goal of all occupational safety and health programs is to foster a safe work environment...

and the health of the environment. With the employees help the organization can reduce environmental impact and be leaders within their jobs and communities.

Managers

Everyone has a role to play in the success of the Sustainable Development program. As managers, they need to be knowledgeable of Sustainable Development and the action plan commitments that encompass their office. Goal one should be a strategy to prepare managers to contribute to Sustainable Development. As the organization moves towards meeting commitments presented in this report, managers will be able to readily access resources to aid them. Integration of 'sustainable' thinking into existing management tools and processes and daily practices is an important component of Sustainable Development strategy. As a manager, they are responsible to enable their employees to contribute to Sustainable Development by providing them with information about the Sustainable Development and other resource information available to them. They should also be supporting employee initiatives to contribute to Sustainable Development, including actions such as recycling, green procurement of supplies, organizing 'green' meetings, and integrating Sustainable Development into their day-to-day activities.

Action plan

The average federal employee generates 190 kilograms of solid non-hazardous waster per year. 74% is paper

Paper

Paper is a thin material mainly used for writing upon, printing upon, drawing or for packaging. It is produced by pressing together moist fibers, typically cellulose pulp derived from wood, rags or grasses, and drying them into flexible sheets....

, including fine paper, low grade paper, paper towels, newsprint, coated paper and cardboard.

The 3Rs

To be effective, the organization has to incorporate waste minimisation

Waste minimisation

Waste minimization is the process and the policy of reducing the amount of waste produced by a person or a society.Waste minimization involves efforts to minimize resource and energy use during manufacture. For the same commercial output, usually the fewer materials are used, the less waste is...

with the waste hierarchy

Waste hierarchy

The waste hierarchy refers to the 3 Rs of reduce, reuse, recycle, or and [ which classify waste management strategies according to their desirability. The Rs are meant to be a hierarchy, in order of importance...

known as the 3Rs: (i) Reduce

Waste minimisation

; (ii) Reuse

Reuse

To reuse is to use an item more than once. This includes conventional reuse where the item is used again for the same function, and new-life reuse where it is used for a different function. In contrast, recycling is the breaking down of the used item into raw materials which are used to make new...

; and (iii) Recycle into their daily routine.

Reduce

Reducing

Waste minimisation

the amount of waste produced is by far the most effective way to battle the flow of garbage

Waste

Waste is unwanted or useless materials. In biology, waste is any of the many unwanted substances or toxins that are expelled from living organisms, metabolic waste; such as urea, sweat or feces. Litter is waste which has been disposed of improperly...

into the landfill

Landfill

A landfill site , is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste treatment...

. Reduce because what is not produced cannot pollute. Reducing consumption saves money and reduces pollution. There are many opportunities to reduce the amount of waste generated simply by changing individual habits and office procedures.

Reuse

Reuse

Reuse

means suitable to use again or for further use. It is the quality or state of being to be reusable. What cannot be reduced they should try to reuse. After a product or material has been used once, every effort should be made to reuse it. Products that can be reused should be favoured over those that are non-reusable.

Recycling

Recycling is the process of returning to a previous stage of a cyclic process; converting waste into usable form; the ability to use again with little or no alteration. Once a product or its packaging has reached the end of its useful life

Life expectancy

Life expectancy is the expected number of years of life remaining at a given age. It is denoted by ex, which means the average number of subsequent years of life for someone now aged x, according to a particular mortality experience...

and cannot be reused, it should be recycled. Recycling moderates demand for natural resource

Natural resource

Natural resources occur naturally within environments that exist relatively undisturbed by mankind, in a natural form. A natural resource is often characterized by amounts of biodiversity and geodiversity existent in various ecosystems....

s and it contributes positively to waste management

Waste management

Waste management is the collection, transport, processing or disposal,managing and monitoring of waste materials. The term usually relates to materials produced by human activity, and the process is generally undertaken to reduce their effect on health, the environment or aesthetics...

by reducing the amount of wastes destined for landfill.

Computer

A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...

equipment includes desktop personal computers (PCs)

Microcomputer

A microcomputer is a computer with a microprocessor as its central processing unit. They are physically small compared to mainframe and minicomputers...

, laptop

Laptop

A laptop, also called a notebook, is a personal computer for mobile use. A laptop integrates most of the typical components of a desktop computer, including a display, a keyboard, a pointing device and speakers into a single unit...

s, monitors

Computer display

A monitor or display is an electronic visual display for computers. The monitor comprises the display device, circuitry, and an enclosure...

and peripheral

Peripheral

A peripheral is a device attached to a host computer, but not part of it, and is more or less dependent on the host. It expands the host's capabilities, but does not form part of the core computer architecture....

s: i.e., cable

Cable

A cable is two or more wires running side by side and bonded, twisted or braided together to form a single assembly. In mechanics cables, otherwise known as wire ropes, are used for lifting, hauling and towing or conveying force through tension. In electrical engineering cables are used to carry...

s, printer

Computer printer

In computing, a printer is a peripheral which produces a text or graphics of documents stored in electronic form, usually on physical print media such as paper or transparencies. Many printers are primarily used as local peripherals, and are attached by a printer cable or, in most new printers, a...

s, scanner

Image scanner

In computing, an image scanner—often abbreviated to just scanner—is a device that optically scans images, printed text, handwriting, or an object, and converts it to a digital image. Common examples found in offices are variations of the desktop scanner where the document is placed on a glass...

s, keyboards

Computer keyboard

In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...

and speaker

Computer speaker

Computer speakers, or multimedia speakers, are speakers external to a computer, that disable the lower fidelity built-in speaker. They often have a low-power internal amplifier. The standard audio connection is a 3.5 mm stereo jack plug often color-coded lime green for computer sound cards...

s. In 1998, nearly 50% of household

Household

The household is "the basic residential unit in which economic production, consumption, inheritance, child rearing, and shelter are organized and carried out"; [the household] "may or may not be synonymous with family"....

s in Canada had computers and that number is steadily increasing. Due to technological innovations and market expansion of computer equipment and software, PCs are now becoming obsolete at increasing rates and are globally one of the fastest growing components of municipal waste streams. The average first life, the amount of time the PC is useful to its original owner, is now 2–4 years. In the year 2005, a PC's first life was decreased by another year. Considering reuse and storage options, the total lifespan, the period from manufacture to disposal, of a PC is estimated at 3–6 years.

Some materials in computer equipment, such as heavy metals, including lead

Lead

Lead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...

, mercury

Mercury (element)

Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is also known as quicksilver or hydrargyrum...

, hexavalent chromium

Hexavalent chromium

Hexavalent chromium refers to chemical compounds that contain the element chromium in the +6 oxidation state. Virtually all chromium ore is processed via hexavalent chromium, specifically the salt sodium dichromate. Approximately of hexavalent chromium were produced in 1985...

, cadmium

Cadmium

Cadmium is a chemical element with the symbol Cd and atomic number 48. This soft, bluish-white metal is chemically similar to the two other stable metals in group 12, zinc and mercury. Similar to zinc, it prefers oxidation state +2 in most of its compounds and similar to mercury it shows a low...

and brominated flame-retardants are highly toxic to the environment, wildlife and human health if mismanaged. InKind Canada donated 1092 used computers to charitable organizations in 1999 and reBOOT Canada, a non-profit charity in Toronto, resold 3000 computers in 1999. In addition, there is a program called "Computers for Schools" co-founded in 1993 by Industry Canada

Industry Canada

Industry Canada is the department of the Government of Canada with responsibility for regional economic development, investment, and innovation/research and development. The department employs 6104 FTEs across Canada....

and the TelecomPioneers, refurbishes computers and related equipment donated by governments and businesses. These computers are distributed across Canada to school

School

A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...

s, libraries

Library

In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...

and registered not-for-profit learning organizations.

Between 70-90% of the material in scrap computer equipment, by weight, is potentially recyclable or reusable. For instance, materials such as steel

Steel

Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...

, aluminum, copper

Copper

Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...

, glass

Glass

Glass is an amorphous solid material. Glasses are typically brittle and optically transparent.The most familiar type of glass, used for centuries in windows and drinking vessels, is soda-lime glass, composed of about 75% silica plus Na2O, CaO, and several minor additives...

and some plastic

Plastic

A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce production costs...

s, can be recovered. Obsolete computer equipment that is properly pre-treated: i.e., toxic components removed, and disassembled can promote the conservation of natural resources and prevent hazardous substances from entering the environment.

Procurement

Greener procurement

Procurement

Procurement is the acquisition of goods or services. It is favourable that the goods/services are appropriate and that they are procured at the best possible cost to meet the needs of the purchaser in terms of quality and quantity, time, and location...

means choosing products and services that have less impact on the environment than their traditional counterparts. Greener procurement incorporates environmental considerations into decisions in addition to the conventional criteria of price and quality. In support of Sustainable Development the organization should develop and publish a 'Sustainable Development Procurement Guidelines and Procedures'. When it comes to purchasing products or services, referral to these guidelines would help make the organization become a leader in environmentally responsible purchasing.

Considerations for Sustainable Development purchasing are policies and procedures that incorporate the 3Rs when determining purchases.

Reduce: Do I really need it? Can I reduce the quantity required?
Reuse: Can I find a surplus item? Can I upgrade an existing item?
Recycle: Can the products be recycled? Does it contain recycled material?

Bear in mind that while recycling is good, reduction is best. The ultimate green procurement is the avoidance of the purchase altogether. However, we recommend: Buy efficient products; Reduce packaging waste; Consolidate service contracts; and Overcome cost barriers.

Identifying environmentally preferable products and services

Life Cycle Management
Product life cycle management
Product life-cycle management is the succession of strategies used by business management as a product goes through its life-cycle. The conditions in which a product is sold changes over time and must be managed as it moves through its succession of stages.Product life-cycle Like human beings,...

(LCM): LCM is a process for evaluating the effects that a product has on the environment over its entire life span.

Environmental Choice Program
Environmental Choice Program
The Environmental Choice Program is an ecolabelling scheme that was established by Environment Canada in 1988 with over 300 categories of products to help consumers identify services/products which are less harmful to the environment....

: An Environment Canada
Environment Canada
Environment Canada , legally incorporated as the Department of the Environment under the Department of the Environment Act Environment Canada (EC) (French: Environnement Canada), legally incorporated as the Department of the Environment under the Department of the Environment Act Environment...

program designed to help consumers choose greener products and services. If the product/service meets the established criteria, in addition to meeting or exceeding any applicable safety and performance standards, the company may then use the EcoLogoTM in their marketing and promotional campaigns.

EnerGuide
EnerGuide
EnerGuide is the official Government of Canada mark associated with the labelling and rating of the energy consumption or energy efficiency of specific products...

: This is the official Government of Canada
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...

mark associated with the labelling and rating of the energy consumption or energy efficiency of specific products. EnerGuideTM labelling exists for appliances, heating and cooling equipment, houses and vehicles.

Energy Star
Energy Star
Energy Star is an international standard for energy efficient consumer products originated in the United States of America. It was first created as a United States government program during the early 1990s, but Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan and the European Union have also adopted...

: Energy Star is an international symbol that identifies products that are the most energy-efficient on the market. In Canada, Energy Star includes several product categories: office equipment; appliances; heating, ventilating and cooling equipment; consumer electronics; lighting; signage and commercial and industrial equipment.

Traveling

The organization should encourage all business travelers to choose accommodations that are environmentally preferable. The PWGSC

Minister of Public Works (Canada)

The position of Minister of Public Works existed as part of the Cabinet of Canada from Confederation to 1995.As part of substantial governmental reorganization, the position was merged with that of the Minister of Supply and Services to create the position of Minister of Public Works and Government...

Accommodation and Car Rental Directory, includes two distinct environmental certification ratings to help make informed choices based not only on price and location but also on environmental ratings. The Directory displays the Green Leaf and Green Key ratings, which are attributed to establishments by Terra Choice Environmental Services Inc. or the Hotel Association Canada respectively.

Rechargeable batteries

Ongoing technological advances in rechargeable batteries

Rechargeable battery

A rechargeable battery or storage battery is a group of one or more electrochemical cells. They are known as secondary cells because their electrochemical reactions are electrically reversible. Rechargeable batteries come in many different shapes and sizes, ranging anything from a button cell to...

and battery charger

Battery charger

A battery charger is a device used to put energy into a secondary cell or rechargeable battery by forcing an electric current through it.The charge current depends upon the technology and capacity of the battery being charged...

s, means most single-use alkaline batteries

Alkaline battery

Alkaline batteries are a type of primary batteries dependent upon the reaction between zinc and manganese dioxide . A rechargeable alkaline battery allows reuse of specially designed cells....

can largely be replaced with higher capacity, environmentally preferable, rechargeable Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries

Nickel metal hydride battery

A nickel–metal hydride cell, abbreviated NiMH, is a type of rechargeable battery similar to the nickel–cadmium cell. The NiMH battery uses a hydrogen-absorbing alloy for the negative electrode instead of cadmium. As in NiCd cells, the positive electrode is nickel oxyhydroxide...

. Rechargeable batteries will outperform the best alkaline single-use batteries in high-drain appliances such as digital camera

Digital camera

A digital camera is a camera that takes video or still photographs, or both, digitally by recording images via an electronic image sensor. It is the main device used in the field of digital photography...

s. Rechargeable batteries may not last as long as alkaline batteries on a single charge in low drain (e.g. radio), medium drain (e.g. MD player), and pulse drain devices (e.g. photoflash); but NiMH batteries can be reused over several hundred times while alkaline batteries can be used only once. NiMH rechargeable batteries do not have what is commonly referred to as 'memory effect' so they can be recharged at any time. The main environmental concerns of batteries are the harmful materials they contain, such as Mercury

Mercury (element)

Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is also known as quicksilver or hydrargyrum...

(Hg), Cadmium

Cadmium

(Cd) and Lead

Lead

(Pb). Batteries containing these materials need to be carefully disposed of to avoid the harmful effects on human health and environment. Canadians buy over 150 million batteries per year. It takes less energy to recharge a battery than to produce a new one. Using metal recovered from batteries consumes 75 percent less energy and 46 percent less energy than extracting it from primary sources.

Fleet management

The subject of sustainable transportation has several areas to review.

Fuels

Alternative fuel cars can save the organization significant funds, there are several different fuel types available.

Ethanol
Ethanol
Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. It is a psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs. Best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, it is also used in thermometers, as a...

: Normally blended with conventional gasoline, ethanol reduces the amount of greenhouse gases your car emits by up to 10%.
Natural Gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...

: burns more cleanly, efficiently and completely than gasoline or diesel fuel, producing far fewer toxic pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
Autogas
Autogas
Autogas is the common name for liquefied petroleum gas when it is used as a fuel in internal combustion engines in vehicles as well as in stationary applications such as generators. It is a mixture of propane and butane....

(aka LPG, propane) : has extremely low sulphur content and therefore contributes very little to acid rain.

Operating a vehicle

Fuel efficient operation of vehicle.

Leave the car at home;
Use Alternative Fuels;
Keep to the speed limit;
Plan your travel; and
Stop idling.

Maintenance

Ensure proper maintenance of vehicles.

Maintaining the vehicle according to the manufacturer's recommended schedule;
Keeping records of the preventive maintenance that is done;
Having the exhaust system inspected regularly;
Having older vehicles tuned up as required;
Maintaining and reviewing fuel-consumption records; and
Inspecting regularly for leaks.

Energy conservation

Facilities that are energy efficient are important, besides being good for the environment, they keep workplaces healthy, boost productivity and save money. An energy-efficient design for a new building or an energy retrofit of an existing building can substantially reduce the building's operating costs.

Water usage

Using water

Water

Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...

wisely will extend the life of our existing water supplies and their delivery systems, ultimately lowering water costs and the environmental burden of water usage. As a best practice, Health Canada

Health Canada

Health Canada is the department of the government of Canada with responsibility for national public health.The current Minister of Health is Leona Aglukkaq, a Conservative Member of Parliament appointed to the position by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.-Branches, regions and agencies:Health Canada...

recommends that water used for drink

Drink

A drink, or beverage, is a liquid which is specifically prepared for human consumption. In addition to fulfilling a basic human need, beverages form part of the culture of human society.-Water:...

ing and cooking

Cooking

Cooking is the process of preparing food by use of heat. Cooking techniques and ingredients vary widely across the world, reflecting unique environmental, economic, and cultural traditions. Cooks themselves also vary widely in skill and training...

be taken from the cold-water tap after the water has been 'run' until cold.

Checklist for Using Water More Efficiently:

Install low flow toilets, faucets and showerheads or retrofit old devices;
Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily or using the toilet as a garbage can;
Fix any leaking or dripping faucets or showerheads;
Choose to have a short shower using a low-flow showerhead instead of taking a bath;
Maintain the manufacturer's specified temperature for your hot water tank;
Keep a bottle of water in the refrigerator to avoid faucet run time;
If water faucets must be run to obtain cold or hot water, catch the residual water in a container to use for cleaning, gardening, etc.;
Use rain barrels to catch rain water for gardening;
Water lawns and gardens at night when evaporation is low and usage is not during the utility peak demand time;
While brushing your teeth, turn the faucet off or fill a cup to rinse your mouth;
While washing dishes, turn the faucet off between rinsing dishes; and

By employing these simple suggestions and incorporating your own, will save substantial amounts of water, energy and money.

Paper initiatives

A paper

Paper

save program should be initiated. The program should involve supplying paper recycling receptacles and side-bins to participating office buildings for the separation and collection of office paper products as well as setting up a collection system for larger corrugated cardboard boxes. The collected paper and cardboard should be picked up, separated and weighed by the contracted recycling company and then sold on the recycled paper market. Revenues generated from the sale of the collected paper would cover the costs of the program and surplus funds are paid out to the program participants as rebates using a formula based on population information supplied by the Treasury Board Secretariat. The information would be collected from the PWGSC

Minister of Public Works (Canada)

website, then tabulate and summarize the collection data for all organization buildings broken down to low-grade mix, cardboard and office ledger. At the end of the year a calculation of how many trees have been diverted from the pulp and paper mills using a Paper to Tree calculator should be used. A 2nd Life Program should be developed in order to maximize the use of paper and decrease the organizations paper burden. This program would turn collected one-sided paper into notebooks and pads. This best practice and responsible stewardship initiative is simple, environmentally friendly and cost effective.

Checklist most efficient use of paper

Mandatory double-sided photocopying;
Mandatory double-sided printing;
Documents formatted for efficient paper use (taking into account readability): smaller font size, minimum margins, minimum white space;
All staff should know how to operate the photocopier correctly, and photocopier is well-maintained to avoid mistakes that waste paper;
Paper use is minimized through the use of e-mail, electronic faxing, use of voicemail instead of paper memos, etc;
Paper documents are produced only when necessary, and are as short as possible. Editing is done on-screen, rather than printing unnecessary drafts;
Paper that has been used on one side only is collected and reused for fax cover sheets and note paper. Draft print-outs and photocopies for internal use are made on the back of used paper;
Documents are circulated and memos posted rather than individual copies being distributed;
Paper products have certified recycled content, with a high proportion of post-consumer content. Chlorine-bleached paper is avoided wherever possible;
Paper products used are recyclable (e.g., no carbons);
Fax paper use is minimized through brief cover sheets (partial page); no cover sheet; reusable cover sheets;
In purchasing, priority is given to photocopiers and laser printers with duplex capability and to plain-paper fax machines. Preference is given to equipment capable of using unbleached paper with up to 100% post-consumer recycled content. Computers with built-in-fax-modems are preferred to enable electronic faxing;
Mailing and circulation lists are regularly checked and updated to avoid unnecessary mailings; and
Post-cards are used where possible for mail-outs, rather than separate sheets of paper and envelopes.

General office practices

The office

Office

An office is generally a room or other area in which people work, but may also denote a position within an organization with specific duties attached to it ; the latter is in fact an earlier usage, office as place originally referring to the location of one's duty. When used as an adjective, the...

of the future or paperless office

Paperless office

A paperless office is a work environment in which the use of paper is eliminated or greatly reduced. This is done by converting documents and other papers into digital form. Proponents claim that "going paperless" can save money, boost productivity, save space, make documentation and information...

has more become more achievable in modern times.

Checklist for general office practices

Turn off lights when not in use;
Turn off personal computers if not is use for 2 hours or more. Shared office equipment, including printers and photocopiers should be turned off at the end of the day;
Preference is given to reusable products (e.g., rechargeable batteries);
File folders and envelopes are reused (e.g., by placing a label (water-based glue) over the old address);
There is a central area where co-workers can bring unwanted office supplies, cardboard boxes, etc. for reuse by others. Plastic cerlox bindings, bingers etc. are returned to print shop for reuse;
Management works with property management to establish recycling programs for waste materials, such as paper, glass, metals and plastics. Recycling programs are well communicated and participation encouraged;
Photocopier and laser printer toner cartridges, and printer ribbons, are recycled;
Where possible, spent batteries from laptop computers are returned to the supplier for recycling;
Disposable dishes, cutlery, straws, stir-sticks, napkins are not used for coffee breaks or meals; *Durable coffee mugs are used, and extras kept on hand for visitors;
Coffee, cream and sugar etc. are purchased in bulk, and single-serve containers are not used;
Coffee filters are reusable cloth or steel or unbleached recycled paper;
Energy-efficiency is considered when purchasing new equipment. Preference is given to photocopiers with stand-by or sleep features and computers equipped with energy-saving features;
Employees are encouraged to turn off taps securely, and promptly report dripping taps or other plumbing leaks to maintenance personnel;
Exchange your used paperbacks, magazines and newspapers with colleagues;
Business travel is minimized through the use of teleconferencing; and
Employees are encouraged to walk, bicycle, carpool or use public transit as mode of transportation to and from work as well as to attend meetings and events.

Checklist for meetings

For many organizations sustainable development is a goal that impacts on all of their activities. The checklist is designed to help meeting organizers plan and implement meetings that are as environmentally responsible as possible.

All promotional material is kept short and to the point;
All documents are printed on recycled paper;
The registration form is on only 1/2 or 1/3 of a page;
It may be printed with the letter of introduction and cut or torn-off for mailing;
Registration is confirmed by phone or electronically rather than by fax;
Exhibitors, presenters and participants are advised in advance that the conference will be "green";
Participants are asked to bring their own paper and writing instruments (additional pens and paper are provided on-site for those who forget);
The registration package is distributed at the event rather than mailed out. The program and other registration material are informative but concise. Tourist information is available on request;
The registration package is provided in a reusable holder - perhaps a durable binder or folder made from recycled plastic or paper, or a reusable cotton shopping bag; and
Reusable plastic name cardholders with paper inserts are used and participants are asked to return them at the end of the sessions. Receptacles are provided at convenient spots such as hotel check-out, registration desk or outside the final meeting room.

Checklist exhibits and presentations

Signage is durable, generic and undated so that it can be reused;
Prominent, well-signed recycling bins for waste paper are place in convenient locations throughout the conference area. Separate bins for newspaper recycling provided;
Exhibit components are reusable and perhaps even made from used or recycled material.
Exhibitors are asked to use recycled and recyclable handouts;
As part of session introductions or wrap-ups, attendees are reminded of the recycling and waste reduction opportunities;
Recycling bins are numerous, conveniently located, and well-marked;
Presenters use 35mm slides or overheads rather than paper flip charts (consider drymark erasable boards or blackboards if needed);
Distribution of brochures, handouts and session notes is limited to those with a genuine need or interest;
A sign-up sheet is provided, or business cards are collected for subsequent mailings;
Copies of session notes may be placed at the front of the room, rather than near the door; and
All gifts and prizes are in keeping with the "green" theme - practical gift certificates, durable items made from recycled materials, donations to environmental organizations, unbleached cotton t-shirts or shopping bags, books etc..

Checklist of food and beverages

All tableware is reusable, including coffee mugs, water glasses, cutlery, dishes and cloth napkins and tablecloths;
Water and juice are served in pitchers. Soft drinks are served in returnable bottles. Straws are not provided;
Cream and milk are provided in jugs. Sugar is provided in bulk dispensers with lids, or loose or cubed in bowls and teaspoons are provided for stirring beverages;
Condiments, spreads and jams are served in bowls or jars rather than in individually wrapped servings; and
Bulk coffee is used instead of single packets to reduce packaging waste; and
Food leftovers are donated to a food bank or local charitable organization. Organic foods are composted.

Key success factors

The organization should take note of five 'key success factors' and attempt to contribute to them in some of the following ways:

i. Sustaining natural resources - sustainable jobs, communities, and industries.
ii. Protecting the health of Canadians and of ecosystems.
iii. Meeting international obligations.
iv. Promoting equity.
v. Improving our quality of life and well-being.

Public relations

Sustainable Development makes for good public relations

Public relations

Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....

and international relations

International relations

International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...

. The organization can help their clients and other stakeholders reduce the economic and environmental costs of doing business. Examples would be to increase electronic options and reducing the amount of paper which is consumed in transferring information from one source to another.

Short-term

Broad Based Commitment - strategies should indicate how Sustainable Development will be integrated into policies, programs and operations;
Skills and Understanding - efforts would be required to build the skills and understanding necessary for Sustainable Development planning and decision-making;
Management Tools Development - environmental assessment, environmental auditing, accountability frameworks and performance contracting are important management tools which can help foster Sustainable Development; and
Continuous Learning and Improvement - managing Sustainable Development would require continuous learning and improvement.

Long-term

Achieving Sustainable Development will involve significant changes in the way the organization thinks about and implements policy and procedures. It will require long-term commitment and continuous effort. Organizations will need to continue to update their commitments every three years, in compliance with the amendments to the Auditor General Act.

Canadian federal government

Canadian provincial and territorial governments

Canadian non-profit organizations

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