Editor's Note: Sustainability in the golf course industry is an often discussed topic. But like IPM a decade ago, the industry hasn't agreed upon one universal definition of what sustainability is and how it's achieved. Below is one company's view on sustainability and initiatives taken to achieve it. We encourage other companies and superintendents to submit their views and ideas of sustainability for future editorial consideration. Please send your comments to gci@gie.net.
Just because sustainability is a current hot topic doesn’t make it a new one. It’s been a dedicated focus at BASF for decades and BASF has a unique perspective on implementing it. One of four strategic company pillars, sustainable development is a fundamental requirement for all BASF activities.
An unfortunate yet common misconception is that sustainability is a narrowly defined term. Some think it refers only to the use of wholly organic products, or recyclable materials. Quite the contrary, sustainability is a broad and multi-faceted concept, including environmental, economic and social factors. One simple and effective definition of sustainability is “A process or state that can be maintained at a certain level indefinitely.”
For professionals responsible for turf and ornamentals operations, we know that sustainability matters as much to them as it does to BASF. We strive to improve the balance among environmental, economic and social impacts of our actions.
Environmental sustainability
Environmental issues tend to be most commonly associated with sustainability. BASF is committed to preserving and improving the natural environment on several fronts, including energy efficiency, smart manufacturing processes, waste reduction, innovative product development and industry education.
BASF’s manufacturing facilities utilize a network of integrated systems known as Verbund, which efficiently produces and preserves valuable resources. Verbund is a German word meaning linked or integrated to the maximum degree. BASF’s Verbund process involves the maximum integration of infrastructure, processes, energy and waste management.
Since the mid-1970s, BASF’s use of fossil fuel for electricity and steam has decreased 49 percent while production has increased 45 percent.
In 1996, BASF partnered with an external consultant to develop a comprehensive process – Eco-Efficiency Analysis – to review its materials and energy consumption, emissions, product risk and toxicity potential and land use. It has executed more than 250 internal studies in addition to analysis with customers, suppliers and the government.
In 2008, BASF became the first company to publish a carbon balance for global emissions vs. carbon dioxide savings realized from BASF-manufactured products. That type of industry leadership also is applied to the company’s core competency – producing chemicals. When examining product innovations for the turf and ornamentals industry, BASF works closely with customers to identify current and future needs and thoroughly tests new active ingredients early in the development cycle.
This results in smarter active ingredients with improved efficacy and lower toxicity so customers have more power in controlling pests and peace of mind knowing that these highly targeted products limit adverse environmental issues.
Social sustainability
An often overlooked component of sustainable practices is the impact on society. Sustainable practices support the needs of society by:
• Promoting a clean environment to benefit future generations
• Providing jobs and economic growth
• Giving employees a safe work environment.
But social sustainability doesn’t stop there. Globally, BASF has programs and policies that promote employee volunteerism and corporate donations in the areas of scholarship, community support and disaster relief.
The BASF Turf & Ornamentals business, specifically, integrates into the social fabric of its communities and markets with volunteer activities that include, among other examples:
• Working with Habitat for Humanity
• Supporting the golf industry’s First Tee Program
• Controlling stinging fire ants on the grounds of local church groups and community parks
Employees are actively encouraged to contribute their time and expertise to make a sustainable difference in their communities. BASF knows that its employees’ sustainable actions locally drive its significance globally.
Economic sustainability
Sustainability is a long-term competitive advantage. Acting responsibly toward the environment and society is in the economic interest of all organizations, including BASF.
BASF Turf & Ornamentals technical and sales representatives work closely with private-industry and university experts and customers to continually monitor and improve pesticide application techniques for better disease, weed and insect control. Those same representatives annually conduct hundreds of science-based presentations that educate thousands of end users and distributors on pest control selection and application alternatives to, first, make the most informed pesticide investment and, second, apply that pesticide so it gives the highest return on investment.
Selecting the right products and related support ties more directly than ever to economic sustainability.
A stronger definition of sustainability
Whether working with customers to develop best pesticide practices or partnering with the Environmental Protection Agency to improve the regulatory status of current products, we understand that sustainability breeds sustainability.
“A process or state that can be maintained at a certain level indefinitely” is a starting-point definition for sustainability. From BASF’s perspective, the definition has at least one glaring problem – “maintained” is a limiting word that doesn’t account for our primary ultimate goal: Combining social .responsibility and environmental protection.
Bucci is business manager for BASF Professional Turf & Ornamentals