NATIONAL MATERIAL METRICS FOR INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY

We present an assembly of metrics for monitoring environmental perform ance at the national level, based on the flow of materials through the US economy, To set the stage, we show a schematic rendering of nation al materials flows, identifying the most important flow components. We compare and contrast amounts of materials entering and exiting the ec onomy, using weight as the common measure, Additionally, we relate phy sical data on materials consumption and disposal to monetary measures of national economic activity, Eight general classes and eighteen indi vidual metrics comprise the set, For several, we provide quantitative examples, Our aim is to initiate a framework for assessing national ma terials use which helps prevent pollution, reduce waste and encourage efficient resource use.