Mass productivity, sustainability metrics

Mass Productivity appears to be a useful metric for focusing attention away from waste towards the use of materials. As such, it is more likely to drive chemical and technology innovations that will lead to more sustainable business practices. 

Basic Eco-Efficiency Metrics. The above eco-efficiency categories can be captured by a small number of metrics. For illustration, let us consider the set of basic metrics adopted by BRIDGES to Sustainability (Schwarz et al., 2000, 2002), shown in Table 6.2. Informed by the work of NRTEE (1999) and WBCSD (Verfaillie and Bidwell, 2000), the metrics were chosen as ratios. Impacts are placed in the numerators and a measure of output is in the denominator. The denominator can be mass or other unit of product, functional unit, sales revenue, monetary value-added, or a certain measure of societal benefits. Expressing the metrics as ratios allow them to be compared and used in weighing decision alternatives and comparing operational units. Defined in this manner, the lower metrics are better as they reflect lower impacts per unit of value generation. 

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