Case Study: Sustainable strategies to manage pollution in Graz, Austria

L.I.S.T.

• Location: Graz, Austria ( long term history as an industrial centre and has therefore experienced long-term environmental problems )
• Issue: Ecoprofit, a program for sustainable economic development with the aim of managing environmental pollution
• Scale: businesses citywide
• Time: established in 1991

ECOPROFIT

• step one: mangers attend workshops and are educated in closed loop production which maximizes recycling and minimizes waste

 

• step two: company is required to appoint a multidisciplinary task force to co-ordinate ways of increasing efficiency and minimizing waste

 

• step three: ECOPROFIT needs to approve of strategy and checks on a year basis

S.W.O.T.

• strengths:
  • allows for variety in waste reduction strategy
  • easily recognizable as sustainable company to consumers
• weaknesses:
  • ECOPROFIT decides on what is sufficient 
• opportunities:
  • access to research and support from city's university
  • marketing opportunity ( more eco-friendly than competitors )
  • alternative to government legislation
• threats:
  • incentives offered by ECOPROFIT must be attractive enough to engage in sustainable strategies