Environmental Objectives and Targets
Transportation and logistics firms need to develop
information systems that help managers select objectives
and targets for improving environmental performance
and eliminating sources of environmental
hazard. Increasingly, not only by government regulatory
agencies but also shareholders, public interest
groups, customers, employees, and other stakeholders
measure environmental performance. In a
proactive EMS, clearly defined objectives and targets
guide operational controls so that all aspects of transportation
operations and facilities contribute to
achieving environmental policies. For example, the
Port of Long Beach Authority (1999) goes beyond
compliance to develop objectives for aggressive pollution
prevention, storm-water and water quality
monitoring and improvement, soil and groundwater
investigation to reduce or eliminate threats of contamination,
‘brownfields’ restoration, sediment
evaluation and soil remediation. It sets targets for
controlling air particulate emissions associated with
bulk cargo operations and reduction of vessel emissions.
In addition, the Port Authority conducts alternative
fuels demonstration projects, participates in
restoration of coastal wetlands, and monitors biological
resources within its harbor area.
After careful analysis of its operations, UPS
developed ambitious objectives for waste disposal
improvements by recycling materials, substituting
more durable packaging for less durable types, and
adopting reusable packaging. UPS has reduced plastic
bag waste by 1000 tons a year by using reusable
nylon-mesh bags in its package sorting operations. It
uses recycled computer paper, paperboard for
express mail, and recycled paper for delivery notices,
saving more than 30,000 trees a year. Since 1995 UPS
has diverted more than 34 per cent of its total
wastes— whiteboard, cardboard, mixed paper, glass,
pallets, plastic, metal and aluminum — from local
landfills.