Geosynthetics April/May 2022 - 18

Geosynthetics and sustainability: How is our industry doing?
At a minimum initially, each comFIGURE
4 Complete utilization of all
materials (shown here by a geosynthetic
cover capturing biogases at an ethanol
stillage pond in Australia) is necessary
for a sustainable economy.
sustainable in all key regards: energy
savings, reduced greenhouse gas emissions,
durability and total [life-span]
analysis. They also deliver sustainable
outcomes for communities through
water preservation, prevention of
coastal erosion, avoidance of pollution
and more resilient infrastructure.
The letter continues to recommend
practices for IGS member companies,
including the creation of individual
company policies and goals on sustainability/environmental
practices. Several
resources are available for this, including
the International Organization for
Standardization (2015), a comprehensive
document and program. The International
Organization for Standardization document
states that an environmental management
system (EMS) is " a system and
database which integrates procedures
and processes for training of personnel,
monitoring, summarizing, and reporting
of specialized environmental performance
information to internal and
external stakeholders of a firm. "
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Geosynthetics | April May 2022
pany should establish a sustainability
policy with measurable goals and a public
commitment to contribute to and support
this effort through their actions and
behaviors. While geosynthetic materials
themselves make real and significant
contributions to sustainability (Figure
4), that is not enough. Our industries'
actions should demonstrate our commitment
to sustainable behaviors. This
includes, but is not limited to, requirements
of sustainable behavior of vendors,
sustainable management of the packaging
and transportation associated with the
geosynthetics themselves, proper use of
the geosynthetic materials, take-backs
of unused or end-of-service-life materials,
the use of recycled feed streams
in the creation of geosynthetic materials,
responsible and minimal use of
water resources, electrical power used
in production (especially nonrenewable
sources) and other actions.
More good news is that several participants
in the geosynthetics industry have
and are continuing to address these needs
and offering examples of the leadership
and actions necessary to address changes
in our behaviors. I presented a webinar
in January 2021 that reviewed some of
these programs (Australasian Chapter of
the International Geosynthetics Society
2021). The webinar featured:
* Jean-Louis Vangeluwe, Solmax, on
energy use reduction and use of
renewable energy sources
* Dennis Grech, Geofabrics
Australasia Pty. Ltd., on the use of
recycled feedstock to manufacture
geotextiles
* Sam Allen, TRI/Environmental Inc.,
on water conservation
* Richard Bathurst, Royal Military
College of Canada, on life-cycle
analysis of engineering projects
* Steve Thaxton, Owens Corning, on
packaging take-back programs
Geosynthetics April/May 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Geosynthetics April/May 2022
