ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR COMPANIES LOCATED IN THE STATE OF MINAS GERAIS – BRAZIL IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF ECO-EFFICIENCY

Abstract

Using a definition of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) which states that eco-efficiency is achieved by the delivery of goods and services at competitive prices that satisfy human needs and bring quality of life while progressively reducing environmental impacts, it is necessary to analyze what the companies have done to achieve this condition. Thus, the following question arises: do mediumand large-sized companies in the State of Minas Gerais adopt environmental management practices that encourage eco-efficient results? The study is classified as descriptive and bibliographic, and a survey yielded information about environmental management practices from a sample of 32 Brazilian companies located in the city of Belo Horizonte-MG. In accordance with the recommendations in the literature on practices that converge to the eco-efficiency as well as an average level of environmental activity by 50%, it was found that companies that were a part of the sample are using a number of elements that, in the medium term, should indeed take them to a situation in which responsible actions from the social and environmental perspective shall also be reflected in effectual financial results. Additionally, the companies’ concern on having a waste management plan (72%) is already an indication that they are converging to eco-efficiency business, since they can add more value while consuming less resources and generating less waste. It should be noted, as a limitation of this study, the number and geographical restriction of the sample, and it is suggested that it be expanded for future researches.