The world of environmental decision-making tools
There are a number of pollution prevention (P2) and other environmental decision-making tools and methodologies to support and encourage sustainable development in the private and public sectors. Such P2 and environmental decision-making tools and methodologies can take the form of manuals, computer-aided software, framework documents, and numerous worksheets, books, and rules of thumb. Several P2 tools are available: for determining alternatives and options among materials, technologies, and processes; for determining pollution prevented in a manufacturing process or progress in meeting DOD's Measures of Merit or mandated P2 goals; for determining the cost-effectiveness of an environmental process, technology, product, or activity; for determining life-cycle impacts and improvements; for including environmental impacts in process simulation; and for determining pollution prevention opportunities. This paper presents three key points in the selection and application of environmental decision-making tools. There is no substitute for scoping the environmental problem you wish to solve. The better you understand the problem, the easier it is to select the proper decision-making tool(s) to help you solve the problem. Critical thinking is still the basis for making the best decision. Do not select a tool solely on available data. Do not select or force fit a tool because you have or can easily obtain data that the tool requires. It may not be the right tool needed to solve the problem, and the subsequent data collection may be both a faulty and expensive exercise. Be aware of available tools and the purpose of each tool. Understand why the tool was developed and its applicability and potential to be used or modified to fit the specific problem. To support users, this paper provides examples of using available tools for specific problems and references for information on additional/available P2 tools.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Environmental Services, Inc., Cincinnati, OH (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 20003246
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-990608--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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