Summary of Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the module, you will be able to:

✓ L.O. 1 - Identify the efficiency and effectiveness of resource
utilization
✓ L.O. 2 - Determine causes of inefficiency and/or
ineffectiveness of resource utilization
✓ L.O. 3 - Convey inefficient and ineffective environmental
practices
 Session 1: Identify the efficiency and effectiveness of resource utilization

Key Topics and Learning Points

1. Sustainable Development
2. Resource use in the home and workplace
3. Sustainability Policies and Practices in the Workplace
Sustainable development is “development that meets the
needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs.”
Water, energy (electricity, fuel, gas), and paper are
among the most common resources used.
Reducing resource usage is necessary for
environmental sustainability
Commitment, involvement of employees, planning,
and collecting and analyzing data are needed from top
management down
 Key Facts 8.1: Sustainable Development
• The World Commission on Environment and Development coined the
term “sustainable development” in the 1987 Bruntland Commission
Report, defining it as “development that meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs.”
• This has guided the United Nations and governments around the world in
developing policies and strategic plans that will help balance the needs
and well being of people with the health of the environment. One way of
thinking about it is through the 5 P’s of sustainable development: planet,
people, prosperity, peace and partnership.
This module will focus on
the planet, people and
prosperity as we consider
practices at home and in
the workplace that impact
sustainability.
 Key Facts 8.2: Managing Resource Use
As you seen from listing resources you use in your daily routine and from
talking to others, we all use resources every day. Many of these resources
have to do with the use of:
1. Water: use in brushing teeth, bathing, flushing the toilet, washing dishes
by hand or with a machine, washing and preparing food; caring for
outdoor plants; use of water in industrial process such as cooling.
2. Energy: use of electricity, gas, other fuels. We use electricity in so many
ways—for lighting, computers and other office equipment, appliances.
3. Papers: toilet roll, kitchen towels, paper for printing or photocopying,
newspapers, magazines, posters, cardboard
 NC I Review of the 7 R’s of Sustainability
 Rethink: Rethink how you view natural resources. Understanding that
natural resources are limited can greatly influence the choices you make in
your everyday life.
 Refuse: Sustainability defines refuse as refusing to accept or support
products or companies that harm the environment.
 Reduce: Reducing the number of resources used in your everyday life is
the next step in the resource management hierarchy. Start with small ways
you can reduce your energy usage, water usage along with reducing your
garbage, food waste, plastic, and transportation.
 Reuse: When you purchase an item, say a can of tomato sauce, think about
how you are paying for the sauce AND the jar or container it comes in.
 Repurpose: Before disposing of an item, consider the ways in
which it could be repurposed or repaired.
 Recycle: Before disposing of an item , consider the ways in
which could be repurposed or repaired.
 Recycle: There are various local recycling programs that you
can partake in. Note these are all separate programs and must be
sorted separately.
 Rot: Rot, also known as composting, is the act of turning food
waste and other organics back into nutrient-rich soil.
With these in mind, there are many things one can do to reduce waste and reduce
resource use, particularly when it comes to water, energy and paper. The following
lists show examples of actions one can take to contribute towards a more sustainable
environment.
Reducing Water Use:
o Use washing machines and dishwashers only when they are full and on a power
saving setting if available
o Turn off water while brushing teeth, soaping up and shaving
o Take shorter showers
o Repair leaky faucets, toilets, pipes
o Replace items with water conserving products such as toilets, faucets and
showerheads
o Collect rainwater
Reducing Energy Use:
 Turn off the lights when leaving a room
 Use natural lights from outside when possible
 Use energy saving light bulb that require less energy and last longer
 Use power-save modes on equipment and machinery (e.g computers,
photocopiers)
 Turn off computers when they are not in use for long periods of time
 Use laptops instead of desktops
 Cooling and heating systems. Use fans instead of air conditioners if
possible and turn off heat or air conditioners when building or rooms not
in use
 Turn hot water systems off if not needed for longer periods of time
 Upgrade outdated equipment
 Use public transport
 Reduce the number of trips made in a car—e.g when going to run errands,
when delivering items wait until several items need to be delivered
 Use renewable resources such as solar and wind power to generate
electricity.
Reducing Paper Use:
 Send electronic versions of letters, reports, etc. instead of hard copies
when possible
 Print double-sided
 Store electronic files instead of paper files
 Buy recycled paper
Reducing waste:
Recycle plastic, glass, paper, aluminum cans
Compost food waste
Re-use or re-purpose materials such as wood, bricks
Buy products that have minimal packaging
Buy in bulk at the market to avoid excessive packaging
Use your own shopping bags instead of plastic shopping bags
 Drink from a re-useable water container
 Avoid disposable cups, cutlery, etc. when possible
 Key Facts 8.2: Sustainable Policies and Practices in the
Workplace
As climate change has become more evident in the world, there is a lot more
awareness of the importance of running “green” business. Conserving water
and electricity, having a recycling program and managing chemicals are
among the examples of efforts companies are making. A number of
management strategies can help a business become more environmentally
sustainable while still being able to thrive.
1. Make a commitment to reducing resource use and waste.
2. Develop a system of regular monitoring and assessing level of resource
use.
3. Set and communicate the goals related to resource use and management.
4. Educate and engage employees so they are involved in
the monitoring and assessing of resource use and waste
management.
5. Develop and implement an action plan: With your
employees determine the process and practices currently
being used and how these can be altered to include more
sustainable practices.
6. Evaluate progress and recognize achievement.
• To determine the amount used, you could look at your electricity bills or
water bills. For paper products you can keep track of what type of paper
you use, how often you buy it and in what quantity. If you record this data
or keep a good filing system of the bills or invoices, you can compare
from one month to the next. You can determine when you are spending
more and when you are spending less and determine reasons why. This
information will inform you if actions you take to reduce resource usage is
working or not.
SESSION 2: Determine Causes of Inefficiency and/or Ineffectiveness of
Resource Utilization
Key Facts 8.3: Inefficiencies in Resource Use and Waste Reduction
There are many reasons why there might
be challenges to reducing resource use
and minimizing waste. This is where
commitment to setting realistic
sustainability goals, involving employees,
collecting and analysing data, and
making changes to the practices in the
workplace is key. The following list
provides examples of why there might be
challenges in reducing resource use and
waste. You have probably identified other
challenges from your interviews with
people from different business.
 Mindset and lack of education or training on environmental sustainability:
Some people might be set in routine practices that are not environmentally
sustainable or they might not have the awareness.
 Lack of commitment from the management of a business to systematically
try to address issues of sustainability
 Lack of opportunities to recycle: In some places there may not be
recycling centers or programs in the town of the location of the business
 Creating large amounts of waste: Waste can be in many different forms—
paper from old reports and other documentation , fuels or chemicals form
the manufacturing process, dirty water
 Large amounts of packaging: Materials the business buys to sell or
produce their goods may be packaged in excessive plastic or paper
 Inefficient or old machinery
 Costs to replace inefficient or old machinery and equipment may be
prohibitive
 Needing to travel far distances for work: Different businesses require
some form of travel to conduct business. The further the travel is the more
fuel that needs to be used.
 Lack of energy efficient resources such as LED lightbulbs or energy saver
refrigerators and other appliances
 Lack of energy efficient resources such as LED light
bulbs or energy saver refrigerators and other
appliances.
While these are all challenges, it is important to
remember that a lot of steps can be taken every day in
the home and the workplace to reduce the use of
resources and amount of waste we are creating.
SESSION 3: Convey Inefficient and Ineffective Environmental Practices

Key Topics and Learning Points

1. Complying to workplace procedures and practices related to
environmental sustainability.
2. Reporting non-compliance
 Compliance to practice related to resource use is necessary to be able to
grow as a business and for a sustainable environment.
 Reporting non-compliance is necessary for growth and sustainability.
 Reporting non-compliance can be done in a way that increases awareness
of employees’ understanding of a sustainable workplace and environment.
 Compliance and Reporting Information
As part of an effort to reduce resource use and waste, a company will put
into place policies and procedures. Documenting and reporting will most
likely be part of this process. Depending on the size of the company,
different employees might have responsibilities in collecting data,
reporting on resource use or waste management and reporting any
breaches of workplace policies and procedure.
While it may be difficult to report colleagues for non-compliance to
workplace policies and procedures, it is important to follow the company
procedures and do so. They might have a report from for you to fill out or
you may discuss the issues you are seeing in a meeting with your
supervisor.
It is also possible to do it in a non-confrontational manner.
Share the results with your colleagues and let them analyze the
data. Soon they will feel like a part of the process and will be
more diligent about saving electricity and water use.
Without accountability, people will not be motivated to change
their practices, leading to potential issues in the workplace.
Compliance to practices related to resource use is necessary to
be able to grow as a business and for a sustainable environment.
 Module 8: Exercising Efficient and Effective
Sustainable Practices in the Workplace (NC II)