Environmental management
Step by step

We all have a major role to play in helping protect and enhance the environment, in line with wider goals of sustainable development.

The way in which your business manages its interaction with the environment is coming under closer scrutiny - there is an increasing spiral of new legislation. However, increasingly companies are recognising that the environment is a management issue and not just a matter of compliance.

When evaluating your environmental system, make sure that emphasis is placed on the following: an environmental policy and impact review, clear and measurable targets and objectives, and mechanisms for improvement.

An effective policy does not have to be complicated. It is simply a realistic statement about what you are doing and how you are doing it. An environmental impact review will allow you to assess your company's baseline.

Based on your environmental impact review, you will also be able to make short-term targets and longer-term objectives to ensure that the policy is followed by all employees. Targets can be straightforward, for example 'to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by x% each year', but in all cases you should ensure that targets and objectives are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound).

Remember that small investments can reap large rewards and that environmentally friendly practices can save money while resulting in happier customers and of course a healthier ecology.

Why should a company give back to the community?

Synergy.

Every long-term successful business respects the "give to the community" law. This is about taking a proactive rather than reactive stance, and participation in local activities or projects, adding to respect and reputation, brand recognition, sales, staff performance and retention. Being a responsible neighbour and giving a little back is very important, you should strive to continually improve any impact you have on society and your business surroundings by understanding the local environment and adapting to local needs.

When evaluating your effect on the community, the following should be considered:

• Clean surrounding environment
• Taking part in community projects and functions
• Development of a more proactive approach
• Consideration of the benefits to your local community

Thought should also be given to how to harness the positive contributions that individuals make. Show your community you're not just here for business, that you care about improving the locality; and you will both reap the benefits.

ISO14001 & other environmental schemes

Implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) will help you identify major impacts your processes have on the environment and enable you to set goals and objectives to lessen their effect.

Environmental Management Systems

The successful management of processes within your organisation that have the potential to affect the environment has become a key business driver; ensuring all legislation that applies to your company is identified and fully adhered to, making sure the risk of pollution is reduced as far as possible and empowering your staff with knowledge of how their actions at work could affect the local and greater environment.

There are several benefits to implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) the following are just a few of them:

• Reduced costs through good waste management
• Reduced risk of pollution and prosecution
• Ability to demonstrate a commitment to the environment
• Reduced costs through better energy usage
• A framework for continuous improvement in environmental performance
• A forum for product and process development

With regards to their impact on the environment there are several environmental schemes in existence, but as rough guide the following areas are considered:

• Environmental base line review, including identification of the main aspects of your business that have an effect on the environment
• Legal compliance check
• Formulating a companywide environmental policy with appropriate responsibilities
• Setting objectives and targets
• Controlling operations to ensure environmental performance is sustained
• Staff training and awareness
• Top level management reviews

This may all sound elaborate but there are several schemes to ensure good environmental management, these are summarised below:

ISO14001:2004
International recognised standard in line with ISO9001, a fully certified system with the option of combining existing quality systems with the requirements applicable to the environment and/or health and safety.

Acorn scheme
IEMA 6-part phased scheme in line with BS855, see below.

EMAS
EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme, European recognised legislative scheme harmonised to the requirements of ISO14001:2004.

Green Dragon
Welsh environmental 5-part phased scheme, similar to the Acorn scheme. Stage 5 Green Dragon meets the requirements of ISO14001.

BSI STEMS (BS8555)
6-part phased implementation scheme, auditable at each stage as with Acorn and Green Dragon

So which EMS is best for you?

In our experience, if an organisation wants to implement a full system the ISO scheme is widely recognised, and therefore preferable (unless a customer demands EMAS). If a company wants a phased scheme (with a certificate at each stage) then the Acorn or STEMS scheme are better, unless your company operates solely in Wales, then consideration should be made to the Green Dragon scheme.

Good luck with your EMS

Waste management

The elimination of waste is an effective way to increase profitability. Whilst poor waste control costs, not only in terms of monetary losses, but also the impact on the environment & sustainability.

Saving money and the environment

All of the waste that you produce has a cost associated with it.

Waste management is a key area for scrutiny in all businesses nowadays, buying raw materials and components is costly and the costs associated with disposal of waste increases year on year.

The first stage of waste management is to REDUCE your consumption, the less you use of something the less waste will be generated.

Be sure to REUSE anything, either within or outside of your organisation, you can. The key is to remove anything from waste streams that has intrinsic value, converting a waste into a usable material.

The last and most frequently talked about is RECYCLING, recycling waste products or materials for use in other processes or products. Common examples of this are:

• Paper, wood and card recycling
• Glass and plastic bottle recycling
• Green waste composting
• Ferrous and Non-Ferrous metals

However, if you have a particular waste stream that you are currently disposing to “landfill” it may be of value to other organisations as a raw material, you could even get paid for the removal of this “material”. Visit the Wales Environment Trust website for help (http://www.walesenvtrust.org.uk/).

Who are Solutions? 

We are a South Wales based company providing business support across all sectors - specialists in providing Health & Safety, Quality and Environmental Management Support. We offer affordable and professional assistance, developing your business to be the benchmark for others within your field.

Personal, confidential, professional and affordable - we deliver a sensible and proactive approach to enabling you to fulfil all your responsibilities, legal requirements and customer expectations. We are a one stop shop for all of your quality, environmental and health & safety requirements.

Our team members are trained and experienced specialists within their fields. We promote best practice and are happy to provide you with answers to any of your questions from within our areas of expertise - just leave us a comment!

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