Application of computer-aided tools for achieving environmental sustainability

Application ofComputer-Aided Tools forAchieving EnvironmentalSustainabilityAbhilash Vijayan, Charanya Varadarajan, and Ashok KumarDepartment of Civil Engineering, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606; [email protected] (for correspondence)

Published online 28 November 2006 in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ep.10175

INTRODUCTION

Industrial pollution and resource overuse has hadan immense significance for the environmental frater-nity the world over. Several studies have revealedthat even the most profitable processes have been ill-managed, creating avenues for economic and envi-ronment-friendly improvements [1]. For decades,environmental professionals around the globe haverealized the importance of such improvements, stress-ing on concepts of waste reduction, pollution preven-tion, recycling, and energy efficiency. Research hasalso proved that environmental friendly improve-ments are seldom expensive and in most cases aremore profitable in the long run. Over the years, theterm environmental sustainability has evolved fromthe earlier concepts.

Sustainability takes into account the possibilities ofdealing with business in a better, cleaner and moreefficient way, but to put the theory into practice is anorganizational challenge. Over the past 2 decades,numerous industries have employed trained engi-neers and managers to specifically examine theirprocesses to identify better and more efficient optionsthat encompass the concepts of sustainability. Thesetraining programs were plagued by high costs and in-convenience, with respect to timing and location.These limitations forced the corporations to havefewer trained employees.

The advancement in computer technology and theuse of internet concurrent with the growth of envi-

ronmental consciousness revolutionized the use ofthe World Wide Web (Web) for sharing informationon different areas of sustainability to the public.Major web portals provide links to some of the bestresources available on the subject at the click of abutton. Today, the Web serves as a lasting source ofold and new publication and tools that are readilyavailable for download, with many resources beingavailable free of cost. The only limiting factors hadbeen the availability of faster and cheaper computersand high speed internet for downloading big files.With the advancements in information technology,there are a number of economical solutions availabletoday. The availability of such extensive informationis encouraging more and more businesses to self-traintheir employees to incorporate an environmental sus-tainability program.

This paper presents a framework to realize and usethe various aids available on the web for developingand continuing an environmental sustainability pro-gram. The paper also provides a fine assortment ofonline resources organized in a three-element approachfor incorporating/planning a successful program.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

In 1987, the United Nations’ document called ‘‘OurCommon Future’’ also called the Bruntland Commis-sion, defied the conventional wisdom that environ-mental degradation will always follow economic de-velopment. The commission defined the concept of‘‘sustainable development,’’ as the development thatmeets the needs of the present generation, without

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SOFTWARE REVIEWS

� 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers

Environmental Progress (Vol.25, No.4) December 2006 279

compromising the needs of future generations [2].Even though sustainability or the practice of sustain-able development was defined only 2 decades ago, ithas been around in the society much longer, chieflyassociated with a host of other terms with functionalsimilarities toward conserving materials and reducingpollution and environmental impact, without compro-mising the productivity of the processes. These con-cepts represent a globally accepted movement forimproving business performance and providing avision of a cleaner, profitable, and sustainable future,focusing on a strategy of continuously reducing pol-lution and adverse environmental impact and target-ing the improvement of economic, environmental,and social performances. The need for sustainablepractices is chiefly to protect the environment whilesaving money and to save money while protectingthe environment [3]. The key environmental practicescomplimenting the concepts of sustainable develop-ment are discussed later.a. Design for environment: Design for environment

implies designing products and services with theenvironment in mind. It aims to minimize adverseenvironmental impacts throughout the entire lifecycle of a product and integrates cleaner, cheaper,and smarter designs and solutions into everydaybusiness practices [3].

b. Pollution prevention/cleaner production: Pollutionprevention (P2) includes source reduction and otherpractices that reduce or eliminate the creation ofpollutants through increased efficiency and conser-vation of natural resources. Though treating wastesis considered important, efforts to prevent wastesfrom being generated is given priority in P2 [3, 4].

c. Energy efficiency: Energy efficiency can be describedas the set of actions taken to either reduce the use orfacilitate a more efficient use of energy, in an effort topreserve the environment and avoid depletion ofenergy resources [3, 5].

d. Environmental management system: An environ-mental management system is a systematic approachthat enables an organization to reduce its environ-mental impacts and increase its operating efficiency[6].

e. Green engineering: Green engineering is the design,commercialization, and use of processes and prod-ucts that are both feasible and economical, whileminimizing generation of pollution at the source andrisk to human health and environment during theirlife cycle (development, manufacturing, use, recy-cling, and disposal). It is aimed toward reducing thenegative environmental impacts by enhancing effi-ciency and moderation in the use of materials,energy, and development space. Green practicesencompass other aspects that are in practice, such asgreen purchasing, green chemistry, and green con-struction [3, 7].

f. Lean manufacturing: A comprehensive philosophyof production focuses on the minimization ofresources used and wastes produced during manu-facturing while producing high quality products inthe most efficient and economical manner. It isaimed at identifying and eliminating non–value-

adding activities in design, production, supplychain management, and customer relations, to re-duce cost through the relentless removal of wasteand through the simplification of all manufacturingand support processes [8].

g. Recycling/recovery: Recycling is any effort toreduce the quantity and or toxicity of waste gener-ated by reprocessing waste into raw materials,which can be used further, thereby reducing therisk to human health and the environment. Reme-diation is a set of practices to treat or contain thetoxic raw and end products to reduce their effecton the human health and environment [9].

h. Environment, health and safety, and risk: This is aholistic approach for identifying, evaluating, con-trolling, and preventing practices that can lead to adetrimental environment, posing potential risk tothe present and future generation and the environ-ment [10].All these concepts have very subtle differences

and focus on improving the environmental conditionand sustaining it. Use of a specific terminology is of-ten linked to the particular forum in which the debateor discussion is occurring. For more detailed informa-tion on any of the earlier concepts refer to Refs. 3and 11–14.

The adoption of sustainable approaches as an inte-gral management ethic is a viable approach to bothbusiness success and environmental protection. A lit-tle time and effort in considering such practices pavesthe path toward a cleaner environment, a profitablebusiness, and a favorable sustainable future.

A THREE-ELEMENT APPROACH FOR ACHIEVINGENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

In the future, the availability of information andthe ease of knowledge transfer will be the most im-portant factor for attaining a sustainable living. Withthe continuous expansion of information available onthe Web, tapping the right sources will hold the keyto the optimization and productivity of a system. Inthe following section, a three-element framework toimplement a sustainable option is presented.

Step 1: InformationInformation sharing is one of the most important

phases of project planning for the industries, govern-ment, and community to make informed decisions.Information must be readily available, easily accessi-ble, and credible for understanding and implement-ing in a project. Internet is a haven for informationseekers on any topic related to sustainable develop-ment. Governments, universities, industry associa-tions, and environmental organizations from all overthe world play an important role in providing infor-mation on the World Wide Web for a global reachand a universal perspective, as they recognize theneed for every organization to understand and appre-ciate the basic concepts; to later implement a sustain-able program that will lead to environmental protec-tion and economic efficiency. The three basic infor-mation store-houses on the internet include (1) Webportals that provide general information on the fun-

280 December 2006 Environmental Progress (Vol.25, No.4)

Table 1. General information on environmental sustainability on the web.

General InformationEPA home page (http://www.epa.gov) This web site provides access to a

large amount of information.Users may search for environmentallyrelated information, public information centers,grants and financing, press releases,software, databases and newslettersregarding EPA’s policies, regulations,and assistance programs

Central European EnvironmentalData Request Facility (CEDAR)http://www.cedar.univie.ac.at/

This site features environmental informationabout Central Europe. The site serves as atransition point to many other destinationsand useful environmental information

Earth Systems, Inc.http://earthsystems.org/Environment.html

This site provides links to over 650virtual library environmental sites.Industry associations, recycling projects,P2 project reports, and otherenvironmental documents are also listed

Defense Environmental Network &Information Exchange (DENIX)http://denix.cecer.army.mil/denix/Public/public.html

This website provides the general publicwith timely access to environmentallegislative, compliance, restoration,cleanup, safety and occupational health,security, and DoD guidance information

Environmental Law Institute (ELI) http://www.eli.org/ This site incorporates ELI publications,programs, law, and policy documentsrelated to environmental law

Sustainable DevelopmentOffice of Federal Environmental

Executive (OFEE) http://www.ofee.gov/This site provides information on sustainable

environment, waste prevention and recycling,green purchasing, and environmentalmanagement systems

World Business Council forSustainable Developmenthttp://www.wbcsd.org

This site provides information onsustainable development

Sustainable Technology Division,NRMRL, USEPAhttp://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/std/

This site provides informationto advance the understanding,development and application oftechnologies and methods of prevention,removal and control of environmental risksto human health and ecology

Pollution PreventionEPA Atmospheric Pollution Prevention

Division http://www.epa.gov/cpd.htmlThis site provides information on

the activities of EPA’s AtmosphericP2 Division. Information onthe Energy Star Program,Green Lights Program, MethaneOutreach Program,publications, and software toolsare also located at this web site

Canadian Center for PollutionPrevention http://www.c2p2online.com/

This website disseminatesinformation related to pollutionprevention for helpingbusinesses in their decision-makingand finding solutions thatresult in pollutionprevention action

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Table 1. General information on environmental sustainability on the web (Continued)

Pollution Prevention Roundtablehttp://www.p2.org/

The site provides information on promotingthe development, implementation, andevaluation of efforts to avoid,eliminate or reduce pollutionat the source. The site providesinformation on legislative briefings,upcoming conferences, publications,and access to P2 roundtable yellow pages,links to other state and localweb sites, and information regardinginternational activities

Pacific NW Pollution PreventionResource Centerhttp://www.pprc.org/pprc/

This website includes an online database ofP2 research projects, an online P2 requestof proposals clearinghouse, P2 technology reviews,a newsletter, and other information forbusinesses in the Northwest

Enviro$en$e http://es.epa.gov/ This site is a source of internet bookmarks related toP2 and environmental information

Department of Energy (DOE) EPIChome page http://epic.er.doe.gov/epic/

The DOE EPIC home page provides a databasesearch of DOE documents, P2 regulations,internet search engines, a P2 calendar,P2 software, environmental information sources,material exchange, material substitution,and recycling information

P2GEMS http://www.p2gems.org/ This is an internet search tool for facility planners,engineers, and managers who are looking for technical,process, and materials management informationon the web. The Toxics Use Reduction Institutemanages this site

Pollution Prevention Toolshttp://p2tools.utoledo.edu/ppistools.htm

This site provides links to some information onpollution prevention, activities, and tools

Sustainable ConstructionLE2:44:15 PMED

http://www.usgbc.org/LEED/This site offers information on sustainable building

assessments and information on LEED certification.

Sustainable Buildings Industry Councilhttp://www.sbicouncil.org/store/e10.php

The information given in the website helps inadvancing the design, affordability, energy performance,and environmental soundness of America’s buildings

Whole Building DesignGuide http://www.wbdg.org/

This site provides information on principles relatedto site, energy, water, indoor environmental quality,O&M, and product specification

Waste MinimizationWaste Minimization National Plan

http://www.epa.gov/wastemin/The web site provides access to the WMNP and

presents descriptions of available tools, programs,and plans; available to assist in reducing thepresence of persistent, bioaccumulative, andtoxic chemicals in hazardous waste. Access to thewaste minimization prioritization tool is alsoavailable at this site

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing/Material SubstitutionGREEN SEAL http://www.greenseal.org/ This site provides science-based

environmental certification standardsthat are credible, transparent, and essential

ENERGY STAR http://www.energystar.gov/ This site helps individuals and organizationssave money and protect the environment throughenergy-efficient products and practices

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SAGE—Solvents AlternativeGuide http://clean.rti.org

SAGE is a comprehensive guidedesigned to provide pollution preventioninformation on solvent and process alternativesfor parts cleaning and degreasing

Coating ApplicationsResearch Laboratory (CARL)http://www.ecn.purdue.edu/CMTI/CARL/

CARL allows Midwest manufacturers totest state-of-the-art pollution preventiontechnologies under the guidance of personnelexpert in their application

Environmental Stewardship–PollutionPrevention–Los Alamos NationalLaboratory (P3O) material substitutionresource list https://nicext.lanl.gov/

This web site provides information on materialsubstitution alternatives and links to over26 material substitution related sites on the internet

ILSR http://www.ilsr.org/ Information on substitutes for syntheticchemicals is available on this site

RecyclingGlobal Recycling Network

http://grn.com/grn/This site provides recycling-related information

to buyers and sellers of recyclable commodities

King County RecycledProcurement Programhttp://www.metrokc.gov/procure/green/index.htm

The King County Recycled Procurement Programlists resources for buyers, information on constructionand landscaping materials, office products,automotive products, product performance summaries,and other environmental links

Recycler’s world http://www.recycle.net/ This website is a world-trading site for informationrelated to secondary and recyclable commodities,byproducts, and used and/or surplus items and materials

Design for the EnvironmentCarnegie Mellon University

Green Design Initiative home pagehttp://www.ce.cmu.edu/GreenDesign/

This site provides access to research,publication lists, and education programsin green design

San Francisco Department of theEnvironment http://www.sfenvironment.com/

This site provides extensive information onrecycling, energy, transportation and clean air,environmental policy, toxic disposal, alternativefuel, policy, sustainable buildings etc

UC Berkeley Center for GreenDesign and Manufacturinghttp://greenmfg.me.berkeley.edu/green/Home/Index.html

This site provides research, publicationson green design. Green design software isalso available at this site

Environment, Health, and Safety/RiskDOE’s safety and health technical

information serviceshttp://tis.eh.doe.gov/portal/home.htm

The web site provides accurate andcurrent information regarding MSDSsheets, EPA chemical fact sheets, and other topicsrelated to materials, health, and safety

Environmental Indicators WebSite http://www.epa.gov//indicators/

index.html

This site provides information on a variety ofdata that provide a picture of the environmentalstatus of a state, county, or region within theUnited States using EPA data. Indicators includeair quality, water quality, hazardous wastemanagement, use of toxic chemicals, and pesticides

Vermont SIRI (safety informationresources on the internet)http://hazard.com/

This website provides access to material safetydata sheets, and a wide variety of occupationaland environmental safety and health information

http://www.osha.gov/ This web site provides information on OSHAstandards, programs and services, complianceassistance programs, and technical information.This site also contains links to other health andsafety sites on the internet

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Right To Know Network (RTKNET)http://www.rtk.net/

This site provides free access to databases,text files, and other information on the environment,housing and sustainable development. In addition toinformation on upcoming conferences, newsletters,training sessions and job opportunities, the siteprovides links to other related web sites

Energy ConservationAlternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC),

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,US Department of Energyhttp://www.afdc.nrel.gov/

The AFDC collects operating informationfrom vehicles (in programs sponsoredby the Alternative Motor Fuels Act)running on alternative fuels, analyzesthose data, and makes them availableto the public. Data is also availablefor the Bio-fuels Information Centerand the Clean Cities program

Climate wisehttp://www.epa.gov/oppeinet/oppe/

climwise/cwweb/index.htm

This site provides information on EPA’s ClimateWise program; a government-industry partnershipthat helps businesses improves energy efficiencyand reduces greenhouse gas emissions

The Electric Power ResearchInstitute (EPRI) http://www.epri.com/

EPRI conducts research anddevelopment activities and P2initiatives for the electric utility industry

Energy Efficiency and RenewableEnergy Network (DOE) http://www.eere.energy.gov/

This site offers information from theOffice of Energy Efficiency and RenewableEnergy. This online library of resources offersnews and archives about conservationtechniques and developments in theworld of energy

Energy Information Administration(DOE) http://www.eia.doe.gov/

This site provides information on energyprices, consumption information, andforecasting for a variety of fuel groups

Office of EnvironmentalManagement (EM) http://www.em.doe.gov/

This DOE site features information and linksto environmental management andpollution prevention at DOE

Green Power Locatorhttp://www.epa.gov/greenpower/locator/index.htm

The site provides information about greenpower options available

Environmental Management System/ISO 14000EPA Standards Network (ISO 14000)

http://es.epa.gov/partners/iso/iso.htmlThe web site provides information on

ISO Environmental Management Standardsand their potential impact in the United States

Exploring ISO 14000 http://www.mgmt14k.com/

The site covers ISO 1400 in depth andtouches on ISO 9000 as well

Comprehensive procurementguidelines http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/procure/index.htm

This web site provides a list of guidelinesand resources to assist federal, state, andlocal agencies and others purchase and useproducts containing recovered materials

Army Acquisition Pollution PreventionSupport Office http://www.aappso.com/

The website provides information on theArmy Environmental Strategy

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)ECOSITE http://www.ecosite.co.uk/ ECOSITE provides information on

recent events in LCA, case studies,and downloadable copies of software

EcoDS (Environmentally Conscious DecisionSupport System) http://shogun.vuse.vanderbilt.edu/usjapan/ecods.htm

EcoDS is a decision support tool fora cost-risk evaluation of environmentallyconscious alternatives using streamlined LCA


damental concepts, (2) Web portals that provide case-studies and reports that emphasize the experiencesfrom other similar projects, and (3) Online Librariesthat provide old and current literature, including re-ports, books, journals, and technical papers. Table1lists a number of websites classified according to thedifferent areas of environmental sustainability.

Step 2: TrainingTraining in various sustainable options is available

in a variety of convenient formats, from scheduledcourses at educational institutions, organizations, con-ferences, and workshops, to online training options.Online self-training programs are gaining popularityowing to the fact that traditional offline methods are re-stricted by time, location, and cost. Extensive trainingmaterials and resources are available on the internetthat are customized to suit different areas of environ-mental sustainability and to help companies self-traintheir employees for carrying out various sustainablemeasures. The government, the industries, and the uni-versities collaborate in developing the training modulesand technical training. Numerous training proceduresand reports on the internet, available as a result ofefforts to set-up an environmental sustainability pro-gram, aids prospective users to learn the process aswell as the opportunities and make informed decisions.Table 2 provides a set of links to various online training

programs available. There are many universities andcommunity colleges that offer online and distancelearning courses which are not mentioned in the paperdue to space constrains.

Step 3: Management and Analysis ToolsEffective integration of management and informa-

tion systems, innovative technologies, and reliableenvironmental data decide the success of a program.In order to derive maximum benefits from taking upof an environmental sustainability program, variousscreening and assessment tools have been developedby researchers and practitioners in the field (Table3).Many of these tools for assessment and implementa-tion were developed for a particular facility or organi-zation that help them to conduct a systematic reviewof the facility’s current environmental and manage-ment scenarios, and are later customized to suit thegeneral industry. Utilizing these tools allow one tolook at old processes in a new light, and also provideopportunities for a range of people with differentfunctions—designers; production and operationalstaff; sales and marketing staff; supply chain vendors;customers and management to come up with ideasand opportunities for actions to implement a sustain-able environment and business.

The internet allows the user to access the informa-tion and to work and execute the project from their

Table 2. Training programs on the web.

Environmentally Preferable PurchasingUSEPA http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/epp/tools/gentt/index.htmU.S. Department of Energy http://www.eh.doe.gov/p2/epp/outreach_tools.html#training1

Environmental Management SystemEPA–EMS 101 http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/ems/ems-101/ems101.htmUnited Nations Environment

Programme, DTIEhttp://www.unepie.org/outreach/business/ems.htm

International Finance Corporation http://www.ifc.org./ifcext/enviro.nsf/Content/EMSU.S. army http://www.sustainability.army.mil/tools/programtools_ems.cfmESI classroom http://www.p2pays.org/esi/emsreg/BASINS http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/basins/

EMS awareness training https://www8.nos.noaa.gov/nccos/ems/html/starttutorial.aspxhttp://www.eh.doe.gov/oepa/ems/

Lean ManufacturingLean Advisors Inc. http://www.leanadvisors.com/Lean/elearn.cfmNational Institute of Standards

and Techhttp://www.mep.nist.gov/index.html

Pollution Prevention/Cleaner ProductionOCAPP http://www.epa.state.oh.us/ocapp/news.htmlBASMAA (Surface cleaners) http://www.basmaa.org/recognition/C2P2 (Cost and benefits of P2) http://learning.c2p2online.com/

Sustainable DevelopmentUNESCO http://www.unesco.org/education/tlsf/Chronos http://www.sdchronos2.org/WBCSD http://www.wbcsd.org/templates/TemplateWBCSD1/

layout.asp?type¼p&MenuId¼Mjcy#

Energy EfficiencyENERGY STAR Online

Training Sessionshttp://www.energystar.gov/

index.cfm?c¼business.bus_internet_presentations


Table 3. List of tools for environmental sustainability implementation and continuance.

Tool name Application

EnergyBuilding Energy Software Tools

Directory http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/tools_directory/

This directory provides information on332 building software tools for evaluating energyefficiency, renewable energy, and sustainability inbuildings

Industrial Technologies Program,EERE, USEPA http://www1.eere.energy.gov/industry/bestpractices/software.html

This website carries numerous computer-aidedtools for industrial application like plant energyprofiling, motors, pumps and assessment tools for aircompressors, fans, combined heat and powersystems

ENERGY STAR, Department ofEnergy (DOE) http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c¼business.bus_index

This website carries web-based tools for assisting inenergy portfolio management, energy programassessment, financial value evaluation, achievingenergy performance goals etc

Energy Cost Calculators, FEMPhttp://www.eere.energy.gov/femp/procurement/eep_eccalculators.cfm

This tool calculates the payback period forretrofit project

Power Profiler http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/powerprofiler.htm

This tool generates a report on the electricity use

Hybrid HVAC System Design Toolhttp://p2tools.utoledo.edu/pptools.htm

The HVAC spreadsheet is used for the design of hybridHVAC systems for a manufacturing facility andassociated office building

Energy Assessment Spreadsheethttp://p2tools.utoledo.edu/pptools.htm

The spreadsheet is a useful and easy-to-use tool forenergy assessments

Environmental Management SystemsGap Assessment Tool http://p2tools.utoledo.

edu/pptools.htmThis tool performs a GAP analysis, based on ISO 14001,

to gauge the implementation of an EnvironmentManagement System

MSDS Manager http://p2tools.utoledo.edu/pptools.htm

This tool that enables the user to maintain an electronicdatabase of MSDS sheets

EMAPPT http://www.caiweb.com/em/home2.cfm

This tool checks if a company’s operation complieswith their legal responsibilities through goodenvironmental management and recognizeopportunities for increasing efficiency and savingmoney through pollution prevention

EMS-Plus http://ems.rti.org/ EMS-Plus helps evaluate an EMS based on whether itincorporates components known to promoteenvironmental improvement

Environmental Management SystemSelf-Assessment Checklisthttp://www.ofee.gov/ems/training/GEMI%20Self%20Assessment%20Checklist.pdf

This checklist is designed to allow for a rapidself-assessment of a facility to determine how closelyexisting management practices and procedurescorrespond to the elements of the standard

BASINS 3.1 http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/basins/

This tool offers a multipurpose analysis system thatintegrates a geographical information system (GIS),national watershed data, and state-of-the-artenvironmental assessment and modeling toolsinto one convenient package

Green Procurement/Environmentally Preferable PurchasingBEES http://www.epa.gov/

opptintr/epp/tools/bees.htmThis tool helps in selecting cost-effective,

environmentally preferable building products

EPEAT http://www.epeat.net/ This tool helps the purchasers rank computer desktops,laptops and monitors based on theirenvironmental attributes

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Table 3. List of tools for environmental sustainability implementation and continuance (Continued)


EPP Database http://yosemite1.epa.gov/oppt/eppstand2.nsf

This database helps in purchasing greener productsand services

ENERGY STAR http://www.energystar.gov This website helps individuals and organizations savemoney and protect the environment throughenergy-efficient products and practices

Performance SpecificationsDatabase http://www.pprc.org/

specs/index.cfm

This tool is intended to help purchasers buy themost environmentally preferable paints andcoatings that meet stated performance specifications

Green/Sustainable ArchitectureLEED (Leadership in Energy and

Environmental Design) http://www.usgbc.org/LEED/

LEED helps in developing sustainable buildings thathave superior performance in the areas of sustainablesite development, water savings, energy efficiency,materials selection, and indoor environmental quality

BASIX (Building Sustainability Index)http://www.basix.nsw.gov.au

This is a self-assessment tool that helps to assess thesustainability performance of new residentialconstruction, their environmental impacts and greenhouse gas contribution to create more water- andenergy-efficient homes

Envest 2 http://envest2.bre.co.uk/ This tool estimates the sustainability of a building usingthe Building Research Establishment, UK environmentalprofiles methodology, identifies the environmentalimpacts attributed to the construction materials and theenergy and resource consumption throughout thebuilding life cycle

Sustainable Building Toolhttp://p2tools.utoledo.edu/pptools.htm

This tool helps in evaluating the sustainability of buildingelements, indoor environment and the occupantbehavior, which affects the indoor living quality.

Green Building Advisorwww.greenbuildingadvisor.com

This tool helps users identify designstrategies that can be incorporated intospecific building projects

Pollution Prevention/Cleaner ProductionLean manufacturing

http://p2tools.utoledo.edu/pptools.htmThe software can be used for a screening

assessment of the amount lean and greenengineering implemented in a facility

Coatings Guide http://cage.rti.org/ Coatings GuideTM is a pollution preventiontool for paints and coatings users. It containsseveral tools to help users identify low-volatileorganic compound/hazardous air pollutant coatings

Environmental Improvement Toolboxhttp://www.p2pays.org/ref/39/38740.pdf

This toolbox contains a description of10 pollution prevention/environmentalanalysis tools

MFFP2T http://www.colan.org/CO%20Update/COUpdate08_EPA_Technical_Article.html

This tool calculates the quantity of wastegenerated by a particular process flow sheetand also estimates various options forwaste reduction

Hospital Assessment Tool (HAT 1.0)http://p2tools.utoledo.edu/pptools.htm

This tool provides technical support to thehealthcare industry for selecting productsand work practices to eliminate or reduceoccupational and environmental hazards,and to maintain quality patient care

Emission Reduction Calculatorhttp://p2tools.utoledo.edu/pptools.htm

The Emission Reduction Calculator is asoftware tool that enables the user to estimatepollution prevention of an energy conservationproject

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Air CHIEFhttp://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/index.html

This Provides access to air emission informationpertaining to estimating the types and quantitiesof pollutants originating from various sources

Life Cycle AssessmentPaper Calculator http://www.ofee.gov/recycled/cal-index.htm

This tool calculates the U.S. average energy andwood consumption, and environmental releasessummed across the full ‘‘life cycle’’ of each offive major grades of paper and paperboard

Recycled Content Toolhttp://www.ofee.gov/gp/recon.htm

This tool helps the companies and individualsestimate the life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions and energy impacts from purchasingand/or manufacturing materials with varyingdegrees of post-consumer recycled content

Life Cycle Assessmenthttp://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/lcaccess/index.html

The site acts as an educational tool to learnthe basics of LCA, how to conduct an LCA,or how to manage someone conducting anLCA, while serving as a focal point for LCApractitioners and decision-makers to staycurrent with the field of LCA

Decision Making/ComplianceECHO http://www.epa.gov/echo/ This tool provides public access to

compliance and enforcement informationfor �800,000 EPA regulated facilities

TRILOGY http://www.epa.gov/seahome/trilogy.html

This program offers a complete one-stopintroduction to a wide range of environmentalissues and decisions that affect small to}medium-sized communities

Regional Vulnerability Assessment Programhttp://amethyst.epa.gov/revatoolkit/Welcome.jsp

This program is designed to produce themethods needed to understand a region’senvironmental quality and its spatial pattern

Manufacturing EfficiencyDecision Support http://meds.mmtc.org

This is an interactive tool for makingmanufacturing and facility equipmentpurchasing decisions

Design for EnvironmentEDGE (3.1) http://www.pnl.gov/

doesustainabledesign/Designed to help engineers and

designers incorporate sustainablemeasures into the design of facilitiesto reduce life-cycle costs and increasematerials and energy efficiency

Environmental SustainabilityKit http://www.environmentaldefense.org/documents/1247_ESK.pdf

Is a set of tools-ideas, procedures andresources help local leaders, residents,and business work toward making theirown communities more sustainable

RecyclingEnvironmental Benefits

Calculator http://www.nerc.org/documents/aboutcalc.html

This calculator is used to computeenvironmental benefits from recyclingcarpets, personal computers, clay brick,aggregate and fly ash

Technology InnovationProgram http://www.cluin.org/vendor/

This system gives information aboutinnovative remediation andcharacterization technologies

Environmental Health and Safety/RiskIRIS Database for Risk

Assessment http://www.epa.gov/iris/This database of human health effects

that may result from exposure to varioussubstances found in the environment

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desktops. The three-element framework and a listof sources for the application of web-based andcomputer-aided options in achieving the measuresare discussed earlier. However, owing to spacerestrictions, the paper hosts a limited number ofonline sources; a comprehensive list is available inthe ‘‘2006 Guide to Sustainability and Pollution Pre-vention Tools’’ at the Air Pollution Research Groupwebsite of the University of Toledo [15].

CONCLUSIONS

Environmentally sustainable options are dynamicand lead to improved efficiencies and environmentalprotection. Incorporating sustainable approaches andoptions in design and operation is the most efficientway to create an environmentally conscious, econom-ically feasible, and socially justifiable business. Thispaper presents an approach incorporating the follow-ing concepts:

1. Information related to the general concepts of sus-tainability, case studies from businesses with anexisting environmental sustainability program, anddiscussions on the problems faced during the dif-ferent stages of implementing the program andtheir solutions, and benefits reaped,

2. Training and learning guides, and3. Analysis tools and systems that can be used by the

industries for implementing and measuring thesuccess of a sustainable option.With more and more corporations/companies lean-

ing toward sustainable technology for achieving a bet-ter profitable business, internet is proving to be a sim-ple and low-cost solution. The World Wide Web is aninexhaustible reservoir of essential sources of informa-tion, training options, and analysis tools; a consciousdecision is all that is required from the industrial man-agement to start and continue a viable environmentalsustainability program. In assisting the government,



RMP Submit 2004 http://yosemite.epa.gov/oswer/ceppoweb.nsf/content/ap-rmsb.htm

This software helps facilities in submittingRisk Management Plans

ChemSTEER http://www.epa.gov/oppt/exposure/pubs/chemsteer.htm

This tool helps to estimate environmentalreleases and worker exposures to chemicalsused and/or manufactured

E-FAST http://www.epa.gov/oppt/exposure/pubs/efast.htm

This tool helps to estimate in terms of possibleinhalation, ingestion and dermal dosage ratesof chemical concentrations released to air, water,surface and landfills and also due to consumer products.

EPA’s National Risk Management ResearchLaboratory http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/nrmrldatabases.htm

This website provides various risk management Models,Methods, and Databases

EHS Freeware http://www.ehsfreeware.com/ This site offers databases of information,downloadable software, and lots of otherinteresting resources related to theenvironment, health, and safety

Multidisciplinary ToolsSelf-Assessment Tools

http://www.epa.gov/region02/capp/cip/chklists.htm

These checklists and protocols aredesigned to help small and largebusiness alike determine theircompliance with environmentalregulations as well as identify bestmanagement practices and pollutionprevention opportunities to ‘‘go beyondcompliance’’ and become environmental leaders

Software for Environmental Awarenesshttp://www.epa.gov/seahome/topics.html

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)Region 5 and Purdue University have workedtogether to develop environmental softwareprograms in agriculture, air and atmosphere,resource management, environmentalassessment and regulations, risk, health,toxics, water, wastewater, solid,hazardous waste etc

USEPA Office of Pollution Prevention andToxics (OPPT) http://www.epa.gov/p2/tools/p2tools.htm

Contains links to numerous software toolsto aid general p2 assessments, green procurement,resource conservation, and green chemistry


industries, and the researchers, the internet assumes apowerful role of an environment steward in creatingawareness and promoting sustainable development.

LITERATURE CITED

1. Kumar, A., Vijayan, A., & Varadarajan, C. (2003). Pol-lution prevention activities in Ohio under PPIS grant.2003-2006 Progress Report. Available at http://p2tools.utoledo.edu/Report2003-2006.pdf(accessedOctober 2006).

2. Bruntland, G. (Ed.) (1987). Our common future: TheWorld Commission on environment and develop-ment, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

3. Kumar, A., Rao, H., Vijayan, A., & Varadarajan C.(2006). Pollution prevention. In S. Lee (Ed.), Encyclo-pedia of chemical processes (pp. 2231–2235), NewYork: Taylor and Francis.

4. U.S. EPA. http://www.epa.gov/p2/ (accessedOctober 2006).

5. U.S. EPA. http://www.epa.gov/cleanrgy/actionplan/eeactionplan.htm (accessed October2006).

6. U.S. EPA. http://www.epa.gov/ems/ (accessedOctober 2006).

7. U.S. EPA. http://www.epa.gov/oppt/greenengineering/ (accessedOctober 2006).

8. Lean Enterprise Institute. http://www.lean.org/(accessedOctober 2006).

9. U.S. EPA.http://www.epa.gov/msw/recycle.htm(accessedOctober 2006).

10. World Health Organization. http://www.euro.who.int/eprise/main/WHO/Progs/HEP/20030612_1 (accessedOctober 2006).

11. Smart Communities Network. http://www.sustainable.doe.gov/overview/definitions.shtml (accessedOctober 2006).

12. UNEP. Cleaner production-related concepts.http://www.uneptie.org/pc/cp/understanding_cp/related_concepts.htm(accessed October 2006).

13. Bishop, P.L. (2000). Pollutionprevention: Fundamen-tals and practice, NewYork: McGraw-Hill.

14. Allen, D.T., & Shonnard, D.R. (2002). Greenengineering: Environmentally conscious design ofchemical processes, New Jersey: Prentice HallPTR.

15. Kumar, A., Vijayan, A., & Raman, N. 2006 guide tosustainability and pollution prevention tools. Avail-able at http://p2tools.utoledo.edu (accessedOctober 2006).


Application of computer-aided tools for achieving environmental sustainability

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