ECO-EFFICIENT PROCESSES: CHARACTERISTICS AND EXAMPLES - ENVIRONMENT - 2025

The eco - efficient processes are divided into phases that harmonize ecological, economic, social and cultural dimensions with maximum productivity of resources to create value transformations. This value will benefit both companies, shareholders, customers and society in general.

This is a concept that emerged within the framework of sustainable or sustainable development and as such has the four dimensions indicated as reference. Any production process, whether for products or services, to be eco-efficient must have a system approach and be ecologically sustainable.

Eco-efficient processes. Source: Johann Dréo (User: Nojhan) / Translator: User: HUB1 / CC BY-SA 2.0 FR (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/fr/deed.en)

In addition, it must be economically profitable, maximizing the use of resources and reducing the generation of waste and emissions. All in order to contribute to improving the quality of life of citizens from a comprehensive point of view.

To achieve an eco-efficient process, the appropriate management tools and technology must be implemented. These range from the production processes themselves, to the accounting that is applied to control profitability and efficiency.

The fundamental basis of eco-efficient processes is the development of technologies appropriate to the objectives set, in terms of technical and environmental efficiency. Therefore, the reduction in energy use, the use of clean energy and the reduction of waste and emissions are essential.

Characteristics of eco-efficient processes

Non-linear processes

A certain production process can be efficient in exclusively economic terms because it generates a maximum rate of profit from the production factors involved. However, to be eco-efficient, any production process must include other dimensions in addition to economics, giving rise to complex structure systems.

These systems are not linear, in terms of considering only classical factors as inputs and outputs. They are network systems where the ecological impact of obtaining raw materials, transportation, marketing and use, as well as the work environment, comes into play.

It is ecologically sustainable

This is the axis of eco-efficient processes, in terms of achieving the least possible negative impact on ecosystems and the environment in general. A certain process can be very efficient in terms of use of raw materials and profitability, and yet be ecologically unsustainable.

This is expressed in the paradox of Jevons (1865), who stressed that the more efficient coal machines instead of decreasing, increased the use of the resource. Therefore, being economical to use them, their use was increased and therefore greater consumption of the coal resource was made.

It is economically profitable

Although a non-eco-efficient process is not sustainable, neither is one that is not economically profitable, even if it implies a low ecological impact. The sustainability of production processes in the framework of a market economy requires economic profitability.

Only those processes that the State should carry out can be sustained with a lower than average profitability. This is the case in education, health, security and defense.

Maximize resource productivity and generate less waste

Eco-efficient processes seek to increase the productivity of resources in order to reduce the consumption of raw materials. This taking into consideration the economic and ecological cost of obtaining them.

On the other hand, it is about minimizing waste and emissions throughout the entire production, marketing and use process.

Contributes to a better quality of life

Eco-efficient processes must contribute to improving the quality of life of all those involved (employers, workers and consumers). Understanding the quality of life also in terms of eco-efficiency, that is, in achieving the balance between satisfaction of needs and sustainability.

Tools for its development

Achieving eco-efficient processes implies the implementation of a wide variety of management and technological tools. Among these, the starting point is to have a staff motivated and trained in the fundamental concepts and procedures of sustainability, eco-efficiency and circular economy.

Ecological accounting or ecobalance

An eco-efficient process requires additional accounting to which only considers monetary income and expenses. It is necessary to incorporate the ecological and social impact of production processes into business balance sheets.

The ecobalance must include the balance of income and expenses of materials and energy during the production process (organizational balance). Likewise, the efficiency in the use of inputs (process balance) and the environmental impact of products and waste (product balance) are analyzed.

Ultimately, the price of the product should reflect not only the cost of production and profit margin, but also the built-in ecological cost.

Comparative studies, continuous evaluation and process reengineering

The achievement of eco-efficient processes merits a continuous evaluation of the production processes for their permanent improvement. An effective tool is the use of comparative studies to detect improvements implemented by other companies that can be generalized.

Development of efficiency eco-indicators

A fundamental area for establishing eco-efficient processes is the definition of clear and quantifiable eco-efficiency indicators. These indicators should show the achievements in maximizing the use of resources considering the economic, ecological, social and cultural levels.

This includes reducing the use of fossil fuels, reducing waste and emissions, and reducing raw materials, among other aspects. In general terms, the integration of economic and ecological indicators allows to establish the eco-efficiency of the evaluated process.

To calculate the eco-efficiency of a process the formula can be applied:

Eco-efficiency = added value of the product / ecological impact of its production process.

Technological development

Any increase in efficiency and more if we talk about eco-efficient processes, implies having the appropriate technologies. Such technologies must be efficient not only economically and technically, but must also be clean technologies.

Furthermore, to be truly sustainable, technologies must also consider the labor and social dimension.

Examples of eco-efficient processes

Ecozap: shoe factory

It is a Spanish company that produces shoes from recycled materials, which considers the economic, environmental and social in its production process. First of all the shoes are made from recycled tires and other materials, as well as environmentally friendly materials.

On the other hand, they take care that toxic substances are not used in the production or extraction of raw materials, or in the elaboration of the product. In this way they take care of both the environment and the workers who produce them and the consumer.

In addition, they promote local consumption to reduce the economic and ecological costs of transport, and the products generated feature innovative, high-quality designs.

Another outstanding aspect that characterizes the eco-efficient process of this company is the allocation of the price to the product. Thus, each pair of shoes has a score based on both the economic cost and the ecological cost that includes CO2 emissions produced in their manufacture, nature of the materials and transport.

IBM

This great company has been developing programs aimed at achieving eco-efficient processes for many decades. This includes reducing hazardous waste and recycling discarded appliances.

Regarding the reduction of hazardous substances, it has reached an eco-efficiency close to 97% since 1987. Its program also includes the efficient use of water and energy, as well as the reduction of CO2 emissions.

In addition, it cares about the social dimension in relation to its workforce and the communities close to the production sites. As well as supporting nature conservation programs and issuing annual reports of CO2 emissions.

Eco-efficient processes in Mexico

Mexico is one of the Latin American countries where efforts are made to implement sustainability criteria in development. This includes the business turn towards eco-efficient processes, that is, they include the ecological and social dimension in their economic efficiency parameters.

In this sense, there are examples of positive experiences in companies such as PeosiCo México, Hewlett-Packard and Procter & Gamble México. In fact, between 2011 and 2012 business investments in Mexico aimed at reducing emissions and reducing the negative environmental impact increased by 47%.

PepsiCo Mexico

The comprehensive approach implemented by the PepsiCo de México company is an example of progress towards an eco-efficient process. This consists of involving the entire production chain from raw material suppliers to the final product in the environmental approach.

Pepsi Cop (Mexico). Source: Pierre-Yves Beaudouin / Wikimedia Commons

For example, the application of sustainable agriculture practices in the crops that supply potatoes for some of their production lines.

CEMEX

The Mexican cement company is one of the largest CO2 emitters in the country, mainly due to the high energy consumption of its blast furnaces. In this sense, this company makes efforts to advance towards eco-efficient processes, implementing clean technologies and using waste from other industries as fuel.

References

1. Brezet, JC, Bijma, AS:, Ehrenfeld, J. and Silvester, S: (2001). The design of eco-efficient services. Method. Tools and review of the case study based "Desibjing Eco-efficient Services" project. Design for sustainability Program. Delft University of Technology.
2. ECOZAP. How to measure the sustainability of a shoe. SANNAS (multidisciplinary network of professionals dedicated to architecture and ecological and healthy urbanism).
3. Llanos, J., Sepúlveda, T., Muñoz, R. and Aguirre, P. (2014). Eco-efficiency indicator as a dimension of success in natural resource management. Conference paper. Retrieved from: file: ///Users/imac/Downloads/EcoeficienciaJ_LLANOST_SEPULVEDAetalv1.pdf
4. Moreira, F., Alves, AC and Sousa, RM (2010). Towards Eco-efficient Lean Production Systems. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology.
5. Ruelas-Llerena, LE (2017). Environmental management in the eco-efficiency of workers in the municipality of Ate - 2017. Graduate School. César Vallejo University, Peru.
6. Tukker, A. (2015). Product services for a resource-efficient and circular economy - a review. Journal of Cleaner Production.