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Industrial Ecology/ Eco-Efficiency and Cleaner Production

This section focuses on the environmental improvement of industrial and manufacturing practices and products through such innovative practices such as industrial ecology, eco-efficiency, cleaner production, and lean manufacturing.

Innovative Programs and Policies
Tools and Guidelines
Databases and Case Studies
Newsletters, Publication Collections and Reports of Interest
International Organization and Government Web sites

Photo of Building One in Cape Charles Sustainable Technology Park
Building One in Cape Charles Sustainable Technology Park has design features influenced by "industrial ecosystems" in Denmark.

America's First Eco-Industrial Park

The Cape Charles Sustainable Technology Park on the Chesapeake Bay is one of America's premier eco-industrial parks. The park is designed to encourage maximum profitability through efficient use of resources and elimination of waste and pollution. For example, 25 of the 50 acres in Phase 1 are set aside to preserve wetlands and wildlife habitat, and stormwater runoff is collected and filtered in a constructed wetland that also is an attractive water feature. The Park provides the ideal environment to showcase innovative companies whose products are good for people and good for the environment and, located in a Virginia Enterprise Zone, also offers substantial financial incentives to businesses.

The concept of ecological industrial parks or industrial symbiosis is modeled after Kalundborg, Denmark's working industrial ecosystem. A coal-fired electrical plant, an oil refinery, and other companies and manufacturers work together with the City of Kalundborg to effectively reduce consumption of resources and minimize waste. Kalundborg's industrial symbiosis yields significant reductions in oil, coal and water consumption as well as reducing carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide emissions. While the initial investment was approximately $75 million, the partners estimated in 1999 that they had "saved" $160 million, making the average payback of an industrial symbiosis project like Kalundborg's less than 5 years. More information is available on the Cape Charles and Kalundborg (PDF, 6pp., 28KB)Exit Disclaimer ecological industrial parks.

Innovative Programs and Policies

Canada's Pollution Prevention Initiatives Exit Disclaimer
The Government of Canada is taking action on pollution prevention by integrating pollution prevention into laws, policies and programs; working with industry and businesses to find ways to prevent the creation of pollution from their operations; and educating the public on the roles they play in pollution prevention. This Web site provides information on these policies and initiatives.

China-Canada Cooperation Project in Cleaner Production Exit Disclaimer
The China-Canada Cooperation Project was established to promote cleaner production policy and implementation in China. The site provides information on China's Cleaner Production policy and legislation and on existing and planned activities to implement Cleaner Production in China.

Environment Canada's Environmental Choice Program Exit Disclaimer
The Environmental Choice M Program (ECP), Environment Canada's ecolabelling program, helps consumers identify products and services that are less harmful to the environment. This Web site provides information on environmentally-responsible products and services and links to companies who participate.

European Commission's LIFE-Environment Initiative Exit Disclaimer
The LIFE-Environment Initiative contributes to the development of innovative techniques and methods by cofinancing demonstration projects in a number of areas including the reduction of the environmental impact of economic activities and products. This Web site provides information on LIFE projects and hosts a database of over 1,000 state, municipal, and local level projects funded through this program, including case study reports of particular success stories.

European Union Eco-labeling Program Exit Disclaimer
The EU Eco-label stimulates both the supply and demand of products with reduced environmental impact. EU Eco-label encourages businesses to market greener, officially licensed products while giving European consumers the means to make informed environmental choices when purchasing. This Web site provides information for businesses and consumers on eco-label products.

The UK's Waste & Resources Action Program (WRAP) l aunches $14.7 million Innovation Fund to Stimulate Innovative Packaging Design , Reduce Waste (PDF, 4pp., 34KB) Exit Disclaimer
In a first for the UK retail sector, UK Environment Minister Elliot Morley launched a $14.7 million Innovation Fund to stimulate innovative packaging design. The fund will be under the control of WRAP who will work closely with major retail partners to develop real change along the supply chain. WRAP was established to accelerate resource efficiency by creating efficient markets for recycled materials and products, while removing barriers to waste minimization, re-use and recycling.

Link to WRAP's Homepage Exit Disclaimer



United Nations' Cleaner Production Program Exit Disclaimer
This site has links to UN-sponsored Cleaner Production (CP) programs around the world, and reports on the Global Status of CP, including a worldwide directory of CP programs and activities. 

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Tools and Guidelines

BusinessCare Exit Disclaimer
BusinessCare, a New Zealand-based not-for-profit organization, promotes, supports and encourages the implementation of sustainable management and cleaner production practices by local businesses . BusinessCare's Web site offers a number of resources for local coordinators engaged in promoting sustainable management practices, including the Toolkit for Change and the Sustainability Assessment Tool.

Canadian Corporate Sustainability Reporting Toolkit Exit Disclaimer
This on-line Toolkit was developed in collaboration with Environment Canada in response to an industry identified need to have more information and guidance on practices related to corporate sustainability reporting. Toolkit helps businesses meet their reporting needs by providing a guide to what to consider when developing a sustainability report.

Environment Australia's Profiting from Environmental Improvement in Business: An Eco-efficiency Information Kit for Australian Industry Exit Disclaimer
Australia to assist Australian business to use environmental management tools to improve their bottom line. The tools and approaches outlined in this booklet can be used by business to improve both their financial standing and their environment.

Environment Canada's Building Sustainable Enterprises Workshop Materials Exit Disclaimer
This Web site provides materials used for Environment Canada's workshops on topics such as developing eco-efficiency indicators, environmental reporting, and life cycle management.

Environment Canada's Environmental Choice Program Exit Disclaimer
The Environmental Choice M Program (ECP), Environment Canada's ecolabelling program, helps consumers identify products and services that are less harmful to the environment. This Web site provides information on environmentally responsible products and services and links to companies who participate.

Green Profit Exit Disclaimer
Green Profit is a not-for-profit initiative of BECO Environmental Management, a cleaner production consultancy company. Its Web site contains pollution prevention measures and case studies that can be applied to various industrial and service sectors. GreenProfit also offers a virtual platform to share experiences with other cleaner production professionals, as well as a searchable library providing links to hundreds of relevant websites.

Industry Canada's Design for Environment Guide Exit Disclaimer
Industry Canada's Design for Environment (DfE) guide aims to make it easier for small- and medium-sized enterprises to get started with practical DfE applications. DfE provides an organized structure into which companies can integrate most features of sustainable development, e.g., eco-efficiency, pollution prevention and clean production.

Industry Canada's Solutions for Advanced Manufacturing Exit Disclaimer
Solutions for Advanced Manufacturing (SAM) is a Canadian Web site focused on Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (AMT) and the Canadian companies that produce these technology solutions. It provides company and technology information, possible solutions, and other related resources.

Industry Canada's Tools for Business Web site Exit Disclaimer
This Web site features Industry Canada's Three Steps to Eco-efficiency , a three-part tool developed to assist small and medium-sized manufacturers in Canada to develop an eco-efficiency program that is custom tailored to their business needs, as well as other links to valuable tools.

International Institute for Sustainable Development's Business and Sustainable Development Guide Exit Disclaimer
Business and Sustainable Development (BSD) is a global guide intended to encourage business people to develop a vision of a sustainable company, translate that vision into a management action plan and turn sustainability into a competitive advantage. This Web site presents strategies that businesses can adopt, and specific tools that they can use, to turn the principles of sustainable development into a competitive advantage.

Lean Manufacturing: Canadian Resource Guide to High Performance Manufacturing Exit Disclaimer
This Industry Canada guide is designed to provide relevant and up-to-date information to assist manufacturers in finding the tools, people and resources they need to improve their manufacturing performance. This Web site contains links to a variety of sources on lean manufacturing, including associations, publications and other resources.

UNEP's How to Manage and Operate Cleaner Production Centers Guidance and Training Manual Exit Disclaimer
This United Nations Environment Programme guidance manual was first used as a training guide for the directors of various National Cleaner Production Centres (NCPCs) in Berlin. It offers valuable insight into developing cleaner production centers.

United Nations' Guidelines: Policy Integration and Strategic and Action Planning for the Achievement of Cleaner Production (PDF, 120pp., 392KB)Exit Disclaimer
This United Nations publication provides guidelines for achieving cleaner production. These guidelines are designed to increase understanding of the potential and need for effective policy and planning in the field of sustainable development.

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Databases and Case Studies

Australian Eco-Efficiency and Cleaner Production Case Studies Exit Disclaimer
The Australian Department of the Environment and Heritage's collection of 166 Australian case studies show how companies can reduce production costs, save resources, reduce waste and maintain a competitive edge. The case studies are designed to give small to medium sized businesses easy access to information on how to improve their methods of production.

Best Manufacturing Practices Center of Excellence Exit Disclaimer
The Best Manufacturing Practices (BMP) Center of Excellence is funded by the United States Office of Naval Research to share best practice case studies (including some Canadian cases). By fostering the sharing of information across industry lines, BMP has become a resource in helping companies identify their weak areas and examine how other companies have improved similar situations.

BusinessCare Case Studies Exit Disclaimer
BusinessCare, a New Zealand-based not-for-profit organization, promotes, supports and encourages the implementation of sustainable management and cleaner production practices by local businesses . This Web site provides links to BusinessCare's waste minimization/ business sustainability projects and case studies.

Business and Sustainable Development Case Studies (International Institute for Sustainable Development) Exit Disclaimer
IISD's Business and Sustainable Development (BSD) is a global guide intended to encourage business people to develop a vision of a sustainable company, translate that vision into a management action plan and turn sustainability into a competitive advantage. This Web site presents case studies by sector on sustainable development in business.

China-Canada Cooperation Project in Cleaner Production: Case Studies Exit Disclaimer
The China-Canada Cooperation Project was established to promote cleaner production policy and implementation in China. The site includes Chinese case studies and audit reports carried out in factories in various sectors as well as profiles of factories implementing Cleaner Production.

Cleaner Production Germany (CPG) Exit Disclaimer
CPG is a German federal government Internet gateway that provides information about the performance of German environmental technologies and environmental production services. The site offers 50 evaluations of German chemical issues as well as 11 case studies of particular partnerships. Moreover, CPG also provides information on national and international support and promotion tools and contacts in the field of technology transfer. The portal is useful source to depict and convey German environmental competencies and supports establishing contacts between German and international operators active in the field of environmental protection to initiate cooperation. Cleaner Production Germany was established on behalf of the Federal Environmental Agency in conjunction with numerous partners form the fields of environmental protection, economy, and development work.

Environment Canada's Success Stories Exit Disclaimer
This Web site provides information on pollution prevention success stories from Canadian companies and organizations related to water and energy conservation, process modifications, product reformulation/ redesign, raw material substitution, and clean technologies.

European Commission's LIFE-Environment Database Exit Disclaimer
The LIFE-Environment Initiative contributes to the development of innovative techniques and methods by cofinancing demonstration projects in a number of areas including the reduction of the environmental impact of economic activities and products. LIFE hosts a database of projects funded through this program, including case study reports of particular success stories.

Green Profit's Greener Production Success Stories Exit Disclaimer
Green Profit is a not-for-profit initiative of BECO Environmental Management, a cleaner production consultancy company. Its Web site contains pollution prevention measures and case studies that can be applied to various industrial and service sectors.

The Center for Sustainable Design (CfSD) Exit Disclaimer
The CfSD was established in 1995 within the Faculty of Design at The Surrey Institute of Art & Design, University College, in the UK to develop innovative product design in order to minimize the environmental impact of products. The center also focuses on marketing these products and has a number of papers and links to provide information. Its website acts as an information clearing house and a focus for innovative thinking on sustainable products and product design services in the UK.

The Green Lane, Environment Canada's Website Exit Disclaimer
This site catalogues Canadian success stories found in pollution prevention techniques from both public and private groups. The site has more specific subheadings that allow the user to choose examples of both process or product modification, making it useful for interests on different nodes of the production chain. There is also a Canadian Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse Exit Disclaimer database of over 1,200 pollution reduction references compiled of fact sheets, case studies, and industrial sector searches.

The Green Lane: Environment Canada's Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse Exit Disclaimer
This database of over 1,200 pollution reduction references is hosted by the Canadian government's environment agency, Environment Canada. The database is compiled of fact sheets, case studies, and industrial sector information on methods of pollution prevention. Of note, the "sector search" option allows for easy access to specific pollution prevention information within a given industry sector.

United Nations Cleaner Production Web site Exit Disclaimer
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) provides leadership and encourages partnerships to promote the concept of Cleaner Production on a worldwide scale. The Web site offers numerous links to clean production websites by sector or content.

World Business Council on Sustainable Development: Links to Eco-efficiency Case Studies Exit Disclaimer
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is a coalition of international companies united by a commitment to sustainable development via economic growth, ecological balance and social progress. This Web site features a number of case studies on eco-efficiency.

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Newsletters, Publication Collections and Reports of Interest

Newsletters

BusinessCare Newsletter Exit Disclaimer
BusinessCare, a New Zealand-based not-for-profit organization, promotes, supports and encourages the implementation of sustainable management and cleaner production practices by local businesses . BusinessCare offers links to its regular newsletter and a free online subscription to its monthly E-Newsletter.

EU Eco-labeling Newsletter: The Flower News Exit Disclaimer
This Web site offers free online subscription and archives of the EU's Eco-labeling newsletter, The Flower News . The Flower News provides information on trends and developments in eco-label affairs in an easily digestible format.

European Union's Environmental Technologies Action Plan (ETAP) Newsletter: Clean, Clever, Competitive Exit Disclaimer
Contains the latest news on ETAP, an EU directive which aimed at overcoming barriers to environmental technologies and implementing policies which could then take full advantage of them. The newsletter contains related events, news, and calls for proposals. It also gives information on environmental technologies initiatives in member states and on specific technologies that fall within the scope of ETAP.

Global Ecolabelling Network News Exit Disclaimer
Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) is an association of eco-labeling organizations from over a dozen countries. This Web site provides links to GENews, GEN's newsletter.

Ohio EPA's Pollution Prevention Listservs Exit Disclaimer
This Ohio EPA Web site describes Pollution Prevention (P2) listserv information into 4 categories: General P2 list servers, Industry specific list servers, Recycling and material exchange list servers, and International list servers.

United Nations' Cleaner Production Newsletter Exit Disclaimer
This United Nations' newsletter of the Cleaner Production network is dedicated to promoting Cleaner Production - the preventive environmental management strategy applied to products, production processes, and services that reconciles environmental protection and development.

Publication Collections

Asia Pacific Roundtable for Cleaner Production Discussion Papers Exit Disclaimer
The Asia Pacific Roundtable for Cleaner Production (APRCP) fosters dialog among industry, government, academia, and non-government organizations in the region to address pollution problems and solutions. This Web site includes APRCP discussion papers on cleaner production in a number of countries.

Australian Eco-Efficiency and Cleaner Production Publications Exit Disclaimer
The Australian Department of the Environment and Heritage's Web site includes eco-efficiency and cleaner production publications and research papers to aid Australian businesses and others.

Clean Production Action: News, Action Items & Publications Exit Disclaimer
Since 1995, Clean Production Action has partnered with environmental organizations, public health advocates, labor unions and community groups around the world to develop and build technical support for clean production policies. CPA is an international coalition of researches and academics working to educate the public on matters of clean production. C urrent projects focus on building links between North American and European efforts on extended producer responsibility and the substitution of hazardous chemicals in products and production processes. This section of their website offers updated publications on chemical hazards in industry as well as relevant and related news items.

Eco-Industrial Advantage (Canadian Eco-Industrial Network) Exit Disclaimer
The Eco-Industrial Advantage is the official publication of the Canadian Eco-Industrial Network. It is a bi-annual report on recent and upcoming events, opportunities, technological developments, studies, educational programs and other information pertaining to eco-industrial networking.

Journal of Cleaner Production Exit Disclaimer
The Journal of Cleaner Production published by Elsevier B.V. serves as an interdisciplinary, international forum for the exchange of information and research on the technologies, concepts and policies designed to help ensure progress towards sustainable societies. This subscription-based journal aims to encourage industrial innovation and the implementation of new, cleaner processes, products and services.

The Centre for Sustainable Design's Journal of Sustainable Product Design Exit Disclaimer
The Centre for Sustainable Design's Journal of Sustainable Product Design (JSPD) covers economic, environmental, ethical and social issues in product design and development. JSPD is a comprehensive quarterly journal that examines sustainability issues as they affect product and service design and development worldwide.

The Greening of Industry Network Exit Disclaimer
The Greening of Industry Network is an international association of researchers, business leaders, activists, and policy makers operating since 1991 to share environmental advances and information. This forum for communication and understanding between researchers and policymakers connects research to policies, strategies, and actions through a variety of arenas. The site offers frequently published reports as well as an international journal. The site provides an open forum for creative debate to engage researchers, business, workers, government, consumers and other actors in developing a shared understanding of the changes required for creating a more sustainable future.

Yale Journal of Industrial Ecology Exit Disclaimer
The Journal of Industrial Ecology is an international quarterly journal that fosters understanding and practice in the emerging field of industrial ecology.

United Nation's Cleaner Production Publications Exit Disclaimer
The Cleaner Production program of the United Nations Department of Technology, Industry, and Economics provides a variety of publications on clean production.

World Business Council on Sustainable Development: Eco-efficiency Publications Exit Disclaimer
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is a coalition of international companies united by a commitment to sustainable development via economic growth, ecological balance and social progress. This Web site provides links to publications and reports on eco-efficiency.

Reports of Interest

The European Union's Europa's Report on the Implementation of the Integrated Product Policy (IPP) Communication Exit Disclaimer
This outline of the EU's IPP Communication on industrial integration strategies has a number of links within the communication that focus on environmental impacts of certain products, and then possible strategies towards minimizing that impact. A more detailed explanation is provided within the subheadings (Pilot Projects, Working Groups, Identifying Products with Greatest Environmental Potential).

The Application of Biotechnology to Industrial Sustainability (OECD, 2001) (PDF, 137pp., 1.11MB)Exit Disclaimer
This OECD report contains case studies from OECD countries on biotechnology applications in industrial processes that can help improve the environmental friendliness of industrial activities, lower both capital expenditure and operating costs, help reduce raw material and energy inputs and waste.

The Role of Eco-Efficiency: Global Challenges and Opportunities in the 21st Century (Five Winds International, May 2000) This two-part study by Five Winds International is an attempt to provide decision-makers with some insights into the drivers and challenges that organizations face as they shift toward more eco-efficient operations, products and services.  It provides detailed industry examples of international best practices in developing and implementing eco-efficiency

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International Organization and Government Web sites

Business and Sustainable Development Case Studies (International Institute for Sustainable Development) Exit Disclaimer
Business and Sustainable Development (BSD) is a global guide intended to encourage business people to develop a vision of a sustainable company, translate that vision into a management action plan and turn sustainability into a competitive advantage. This site explains the strategies and tools that companies can draw on as well as case studies from around the world.

Canada's Pollution Prevention Initiatives Exit Disclaimer
The Government of Canada is taking action on pollution prevention by integrating pollution prevention into laws, policies and programs; working with industry and businesses to find ways to prevent the creation of pollution from their operations; and educating the public on the roles they play in pollution prevention. This Web site provides information on these policies and initiatives.

Canadian Eco-Industrial Network Exit Disclaimer
The Canadian Eco-Industrial Network (CEIN) is a membership association of public and private organizations designed to serve as an information clearinghouse for eco-industrial network developers and practitioners in Canada. CEIN's Web site offers information on its members and Eco-Industrial Advantage, its biannual publication.

Centre for Sustainable Design (United Kingdom) Exit Disclaimer
The Center for Sustainable Design facilitates discussion and research on eco-design and broader sustainability considerations in product and service development through training, workshops, conferences, research, and publications. The Centre also acts as an information clearing house for innovative thinking on sustainable products and services. This Web site provides information on research projects, a journal and other resources.

European Commission's LIFE-Environment Initiative Exit Disclaimer
The LIFE-Environment Initiative contributes to the development of innovative techniques and methods by cofinancing demonstration projects in a number of areas including the reduction of the environmental impact of economic activities and products. This Web site provides information on LIFE projects and hosts a database of over 1,000 state, municipal, and local level projects funded through this program, including case study reports of particular success stories.

European Union Eco-labeling Program Exit Disclaimer
The EU Eco-label stimulates both the supply and demand of products with reduced environmental impact. EU Eco-label encourages businesses to market greener, officially licensed products while giving European consumers the means to make informed environmental choices when purchasing. This Web site provides information for businesses and consumers on eco-label products.

Global Ecolabelling Network Exit Disclaimer
Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) is an association of eco-labeling organizations from over a dozen countries. This site includes information about the labeling systems of various countries and documentation of GEN's activities.

International Society for Industrial Ecology Exit Disclaimer
The International Society for Industrial Ecology (ISIE) is dedicated to supporting research, applications, and communication related to the field of industrial ecology by encouraging learning, producing research, and promoting social change. This Web site provides information about ISIE's conferences, industrial ecology education programs and job opportunities, and links to its newsletter.

UNEP Cleaner Production Web site Exit Disclaimer
The United Nations Environment Programme provides leadership and encourages partnerships to promote the concept of Cleaner Production on a worldwide scale. This Web site provides information on UNEP's events and initiatives in cleaner production.

World Business Council on Sustainable Development Exit Disclaimer
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is a coalition of international companies united by a commitment to sustainable development via economic growth, ecological balance and social progress.

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