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Patently Good Business

July 1, 2007By Alan Seech

Honoring intellectual property rights within our industry benefits everyone

The first patent was issued in 1421, to an Italian architect for invention of a specialized boat to transport construction materials to building sites. In issuing it, the city-state of Florence recognized that inventors needed protection from those who would use their inventions without paying fair compensation. The document even spelled out consequences for illegal duplication: the copycat boat was to be publicly burned!

Renewable Refuse

May 1, 2007By Sherleen H. Mahoney

Businesses trash wasteful practices to save money, resources.

More than 7.6 billion tons of industrial solid waste are generated annually in the United States. That’s the equivalent of more than 8,500 Golden Gate Bridges, more than 2,000 Empire State Buildings, or 1,200 Hoover Dams.

The Path of Progress

May 1, 2007By William K. Reilly

The Internet has become an essential tool in helping regulators track companies' compliance with environmental regulations

During my confirmation hearing in the Senate in 1989, I became aware how deep were concerns in the Democratic-controlled Congress that a Republican appointee for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator would not vigorously enforce environmental laws against business.

Metrics, Las Vegas Style

October 1, 2006By Richard MacLean

Instead of betting on the numbers, develop a metrics strategy

For the past 30 years, environmental, health, and safety (EHS) professionals have struggled to find the definitive set of performance metrics. The reality is that, while there is no universal set, there definitely is a group of key performance indicators for your company to use in order to win the competition game.

Environmental Politics and Strategy

September 1, 2006By Richard MacLean

Five years later

In a 2001 Manager's Notebook article of the same title, I wrote about Washington D.C.'s influence on environmental progress.

The New Deal

September 1, 2006By Darren Stone

Tightening disclosure rules are making it difficult for companies to hide environmental liabilities

Accrual and disclosure practices of public companies related to their environmental liabilities have long been perceived to be inconsistent and generally inadequate. Recent developments, such as Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation number 47, known as FIN47 in most circles, have tightened up the disclosure rules, especially in relation to environmental liabilities.

Conference Change

July 1, 2006By Richard MacLean

What's hot, What's not, and Why

Conferences are a good leading indicator of emerging environmental trends. The meetings themselves may be planned a year or more in advance, but speakers generally talk about what is going on in "real-time" terms. Even more revealing are the informal networking discussions during the breaks when attendees share their hopes, fears, and ambitions. Indeed, tuning in to the buzz at these conferences is sometimes the best reason for attending. What's the buzz about today?

A Sure Thing

June 1, 2006By David L. Coduto

Dissecting the seven habits of highly effective environmental firms

Some successful insurers prosper not because of anything they do internally, but because the people, businesses, or other organizations they insure behave in a way that leaves claims personnel twiddling their thumbs more often than not.

What Kind of EHS Leader Are You?

June 1, 2006By Richard MacLean

The six Ws of leadership

The vast majority of environmental, health, and safety (EHS) professionals are competent, dedicated soldiers who fight the day-to-day battles to protect the health and safety of fellow employees, the community, and the environment.

It's Not My Job

May 1, 2006By Richard MacLean

In a changing business environment, just what are your job responsibilities?

Environmental, health, and safety (EHS) roles and responsibilities have been shaped over the past 30 years primarily by U.S.-based regulatory requirements. But what happens if other forces were to dominate how EHS professionals add value? That tipping point may be approaching, and once reached, EHS roles and responsibilities could dramatically shift, hopefully for the better -- but maybe for the worse. Will other functional areas grab the very best jobs? The answer lies in whether EHS professionals will lead, follow, or get pushed out of the way.

Lead Out

May 1, 2006By Trudy Heller, PhD

Management's greatest environmental resource might be right under its nose

When the McDonald's Corporation formed an alliance with the non-profit Environmental Defense Fund in 1990 it was an extraordinary and newsworthy event. Business and environmentalists had been pitted against each other in conflicting values, policies, and public debate.

Weathering the Storm

May 1, 2006By Dianne P. Crocker

A critical look at the promising future of the Phase I ESA market in a hurricane-ravaged New Orleans

Aug. 25, 2005: Hurricane Katrina, the 11th named tropical storm, fourth hurricane, and first Category 5 hurricane of the season, makes landfall north of Miami, Fla., killing dozens. Four days later, the slightly weakened system touches down on the Central Gulf Coast of Louisiana.

Auditing

April 1, 2006By Richard MacLean

Moving through four transitions

The nature of environmental, health, and safety (EHS) auditing has changed dramatically over the past 30 years. It may be on the verge of making its next big transformation: joining ranks with mainstream business governance functions. How has EHS auditing changed, and what may be on the horizon?

The New Iron-fisted Approach to Mercury

April 1, 2006By James J. Hattler

California's tougher mercury-disposal restrictions are opening the way for innovation in mercury containment and transport

The California Department of Toxic Substances (DTSC) began enforcing Universal Waste management rules for all waste generators effective Feb. 9, 2006. All businesses and households are now required to properly dispose of batteries and mercury-containing lamps and devices at a certified recycling facility.

The Folly of 100% Compliance

March 1, 2006By Richard MacLean

How a myopic focus on compliance minimizes strategic thinking and business value

Environmental, health and safety (EHS) departments were created in response to regulations. For most, it continues to be their raison d'être in the minds of most business managers.