ASTM international, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials – a global leader in the development of consensus based standards – convened recently in Arizona for their bi-annual conference. The Committee on Sustainability, splintered off from the Performance of Buildings committee, helps guide material and product manufacturers in the areas of sustainability including environmental, social and economic.
Committee members tackled defining sustainability. The “ideal” vs. “applied” conflict quickly arose. As described by Chairman Dru Meadows, principal of the GreenTeam, Inc., the ideals of sustainability are necessary touch points that help guide our journey. However, along with “ideals” we need “applied” tactical and proven processes found in the marketplace to help advance us towards the “ideal”. The most widely accepted definition of sustainable development came from a report published by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) in 1987. More commonly known as the Brundtland report, Our Common Future defines sustainable development as “development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
Tackling the large, complex issues of sustainability is no small or easy task. Efforts by participating members of ASTM E60 strive to identify needs and opportunities, draft guidelines and provide a roadmap for continuous improvement in the areas of sustainability. The takeaway message suggests not getting bogged down with perfection – defining the possibly unattainable “ideals” – but rather implementing and advancing some of the proven “applied” sustainability efforts that move us along in the right direction.
