Extending the lifetime of a product (asset) has a number of environmental advantages: less resource extraction, less energy embedded (the direct and indirect energy required to produce goods plus the energy needed to source and process raw materials they contain) and less waste generated. Maintaining the first-life use of a product as long as possible is the best approach to cut overall resource use. 

Two key factors determine a product's lifetime: the way it is designed and built, and whether consumers choose to properly maintain (repair) or to replace it.

A relatively new management role, sustainability officers are top executives who determine how a company or organisation can best address environmental sustainability issues. Specifically, they may be responsible for the creation, development and management of sustainability policies and programmes in line with both corporate objectives and environmental regulations.

Baby clothes for the sharing generation

• Innovative baby clothes subscription and sharing system saves resources
• Reusing and ultimatley recycling clothes is at the heart of the circular economy 

Circular economy thinking is the cornerstone of the Danish baby clothes brand Vigga. Baby clothes like romper suits that end up in the attic after only a few wears waste money and valuable resources. Vigga came up with a sustainable solution: a subscription service for baby clothes.

Say cheese!

• Cheese factory uses more sustainable filtration process
• Results in better product quality, less costs and reduced chemical use

Immersion of cheese in brine is an important step in the production process to ensure taste and optimal storage life. The Austrian company Pantreon was looking for a more efficient filtration process for its products.

Environmental and social benefits rolled into one

Waste-management pioneer markets its success

Investing in everyone's future 

• Tapping into a need for eco-responsible investment, Pictet developed a sustainable bond rating system
• The system is gaining traction among pension funds 

Pictet asset management is a Swiss investment firm which has developed strategies in Green finance and socially responsible investment (SRI).

Businesses that look ahead and actively manage their ecological risks and opportunities can gain a strong competitive advantage. Ecological footprint calculation schemes are increasingly used to help companies improve their market foresight, decide on strategic directions, manage performance and communicate their strengths. By providing a common unit, the footprint indicators establish benchmarks, set quantitative targets and evaluate alternatives for future activities.

Just take a CIP!

• Project targets fresh water rationalisation in production processes
• Case-by-case system design is critical to developing successful CIP solutions 

The EU-funded AquaFit4Use initiative explored news ways to help industries rationalise their use of fresh drinking water in production processes. The project looked into water-saving cleaning-in-place (CIP) solutions according to a number of key parameters, called the 5 Ts), which ensure the effectiveness of the system: