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Learn how to identify, collect, and utilize relevant data for sustainable projects and environmental initiatives. Explore various methods and sources for effective data collection and analysis. Case studies and examples demonstrate the impact of data-driven decision-making.
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P2 Results Data Collection: Planning for Results National Environmental Partnership Summit New Orleans May 8, 2007
Basic Questions to Ask for Project Planning • Drivers for measurement • Why do you need to collect data? • Identifying Data • Which data do you want to collect? • Data Collection • Where can you find existing data? • How will you collect data? • Using the Data • What will you do with the data? • Where are the gaps in the data?
Why do you need to collect data? • EPA P2 Grant • Validate P2 as a viable tool • Promote P2 • EMS or ISO14000 • Legislature Reviews and Audits • Recognition
Why do you need to collect data? • Gain understanding • “You can’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been” • Support an environmental vision/direction • Comparison of performance between operations worldwide • Environmental goals • Sustainability reporting • Recognition
Why do you need to collect data? • To identify the source of risks associated with hazardous materials & wastes • To show businesses & staff the effects of their practices & efforts • To justify the use of program resources and to compare with other programs
Which data do you want to collect? • Energy Conservation • Water Conservation • Waste Reduction • Behavioral Changes • Environmental Policy Implemented • Money Savings
Internship Program:Case Study • Interns must determine potential reductions and savings for final report • ½ billon BTU Saved - $63,000 • Insulating boiler and pipes • 19,000 gallons waste water Reduced- $9,000 • Nickel acetate – bath life extension • Interns use NH Planning for Profits
Which data do you want to collect? • Balanced Data Collection • Leading – proactive metrics that predict performance or detail and action plan • Doing – metrics associated with multi-year drivers or goals to reflect interim progress • Lagging – reactive metrics that reflect performance with direct or significant impact by occurrence
EHS Scorecard Example – VOC Reduction • Leading – Completion of a VOC Reduction Plan • Doing – Track quarterly progress on plan completion • Lagging – Track VOC emissions per pound of product
Which data do you want to collect? • Quantities, Numbers • Key Indicators • Surveys • Comparisons • Stories, quotes, examples
Numbers & Quantifiable Data Data: a small slice • 17 ES Dry cleaners in King County reduced over 42,828 pounds, an ave. of 2,524lb/shop; x158 = est 401,636 lb or 200 tons of haz waste reduced.
Key Indicators Data • EnviroStars marinas are preventing contaminants from reaching Puget Sound and local waterways: by providing sewage pumpout services, boat maintenance policies and guidance for tenants, spill prevention and absorbent pads on docks, and sponsoring on-the-water cleanups. • EnviroStars dentists are reducing mercury, silver, and lead in municipal systems: by installing amalgam wastewater treatment units to capture mercury for reclamation and by switching to digital radiography instead of traditional x-ray processing. • EnviroStars auto repair shops are reducing hazardous wastes:by replacing solvent-based parts cleaners with water-based systems, recharging and reusing antifreeze, and heating their facilities with recaptured waste oil.
Survey and Comparison • Awareness of EnviroStars in King County
Where can you find existing data? • Association and Trade Groups • In-house reports • P2 multi-media • Sampling results from other programs • Internet • P2Rx.org
In-house Sampling Data: Examples • Before and After Results • Marinas • Water quality • Medical Waste Incinerators • Air emission • Salvage Yards • Monitoring well
Mercury Reduction at Hospitals: Case Study • Hospitals for a Healthy Environment • California Hospital Association • Survey on mercury at healthcare facilities. • 90.2 grams of mercury/hospital acute care bed • H2E Mercury Free Award • How many beds at facility • 200 bed facility X 90.2 grams of Hg
How will you collect data? • Award Applications • Internship Reports • Collection Events • Site Visits • Surveys
Collection Events:Case Study • School cleanouts • Pay for the disposal • Manifest data • 9 schools – 4,475 pounds of waste chemicals • Mercury collection • Dental offices • 19 pounds of mercury waste • Maple Syrup Producers • 2.6 grams/thermometer – 14 thermometers swapped = over 36 grams collected
Where can you find existing data? • Internal Sources • Continuous – databases (daily, monthly, quarterly) • Intermittent – survey, estimate • External Sources • Internet references • Benchmarking – sustainability and/or environmental reports
How will you collect data? • Need good measurement systems • Resolution, accuracy, precision, documentation • Easy input and export of data • Corporate systems to collect data w/ direct data input from individual sites • Minimal use of spreadsheets • Collection of the right metrics/categories • Allows for a change in perspective and measurement over time
Data Collection Example 1 –Detailed Data • Instead of collecting just waste data …collect by waste stream …collect by disposal method • Instead of collecting VOCs by plant …collect them by process line …collect them by product • Ability to influence change • Ability to adjust metric outcomes
Data Collection Example 2 – Definitions are critical • Data collection worldwide • Change the definition of “waste” • Collected data from US, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Canada, Australia • All had different definitions and environmental trends • Waste-to-Energy vs. Landfill • Recycling vs. Reuse • Units (Metric vs. SI) • Accommodated differences to meet common goal
Where can you find existing data? • Vendors, suppliers • Similar programs • Other Agencies • Trade organizations
How will you collect data? • In the field - documents and observation • Interviews and surveys • Evaluation forms, reports
How will you collect data? • Example of EStars renewal form
How will you collect data? • Field database screen shot
What will you do with the data? • Store in spreadsheets • Other databases • Graph for publications • Re-evaluate project • Is the project meeting the desired outcome?
Where are the gaps in the data? • Consumer habits and purchasing • Environmental Preferable Purchasing • Publication Use and Outcome • Did they read it? • Did they make a change at their facility?
What will you do with the data? • Reflect on metric performance • Quarterly / Annually • Don’t be afraid to change the measurement indicator to meet a desired objective • Communicate metric performance • Internal stakeholders to drive change • External stakeholders to provide transparency, integrity, credibility, respect, trust
Where are the gaps in the data? • Linking environmental performance with business performance • True cost of waste • $$ - current value and performance • Linking “owning” division and “effective” division performance (who makes it vs. who designs/sells it)
Environmental Metric Evolution 2005: Proactive/Targeted Metrics Product-specific metrics Total cost/value metrics 1987: Reduction from Baseline lbs pollutants 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 1999: Indexed Reduction from Baseline lbs pollutants/lbs production lbs pollutants/$$ net sales 1975: Pollution Prevention Pays # of projects, $$ saved lbs pollutants
What will you do with the data? • Provide a compelling story • To change behavior • To prioritize next steps • To justify use of resources
Public Attitudes & Areas for Growth • The results of these questions are nearly the same as in 2005.
Business Testimonials • “Being an EnviroStar demonstrates responsible citizenship, which makes employees proud to work here. Heightened consciousness guides vendor and product choices.” Nancy Charpentier, Printing Control • “My long term goal is to help the automotive industry improve as a whole. It’s important for other businesses to be proactive and to look to agencies for recommendations and suggestions.” Scott Tveten, Tveten’s Auto Clinic • “…Now we buy less than 120 gallons a year, an 80% reduction in solvent. Furthermore, we own the real estate where our plant is. By protecting against ground contamination, we are protecting the value of our own assets. And by buying into the energy efficient lighting and equipment programs, we reduce our utility bills.” Dick Pakko, Four Seasons Cleaners
Where are the gaps in the data? • Consistent, reliable data from multiple sources • Key data needed to measure environmental effects & improvements • Translation of data to common language for public and politicians • Changes over time • New indicators for sustainability
Laurel Tomchick King County Department of Natural Resources EnviroStars Program Manager (206) 263-3063 Laurel.tomchick@metrokc.gov www.envirostars.org Sara J. Johnson, M.S.NH Department of Environmental ServicesPollution Prevention Program(603) 271-6460sjohnson@des.state.nh.uswww.des.nh.gov/nhppp James Kotsmith 3M Company Environmental Initiatives and Sustainabilty (651) 778-4262 jrkotsmith@mmm.com Terry Grogan US EPA Pollution Prevention Division (202) 564-6317 grogan.terry@epa.gov Contact Information