One of the most environmentally friendly practises is to learn how to manage your waste. For
organisations that are attempting to get their ISO 14001 certificate and implement a viable
Environmental Management System (EMS) waste management is a crucial step. However, the
actual steps of waste management differ from organisation to organisation, complicating the entire process. In this article, we will talk about how the ISO 14001 waste management checklist can help you in your endeavour to achieve ISO 14001 compliance and erect an EMS that is continually improving.
Why is Waste Management Important for Companies?
Over the past few decades, waste management by obtaining ISO 14001 certification has become a growing global concern. Waste management is known as the handling and disposing of liquid or solid waste after its treatment and recycling it further so that it creates a lesser impact on the environment. Waste management is necessary as it saves the environment from the toxic effects of inorganic or biodegradable elements present in water or solid waste. Mismanagement of such factors can lead to soil erosion, water contamination and air contamination. Waste management not only conserves natural resources, human life and biodiversity, but it also impacts the economy. Businesses can save a lot of money by recycling the materials they produce, which can drastically decrease their waste disposal costs.
Additionally, knowing the different kinds of waste a company creates can make it easier to utilise the appropriate waste management strategies so that their need and cost of transportation are minimised. Lastly, environmental sustainability promotes a good brand image.
What is the Importance of ISO 14001 Checklists?
As many of you know, ISO 14001, like any other ISO standard, is a voluntary standard. If you want more information about ISO 14001 meaning, contact Edara Systems consultants. This means that the government does not fund the implementation of an EMS. This also means that organisations that wish to implement an ISO 14001 compliant EMS must fund their efforts.
Therefore, any strategic business will understand that the certification process must be well thought out to maximise the usage of funds.
Hence, ISO 14001 checklist acts as a preparatory guide, helping business owners understand what all steps, resources or requirements they must adhere to achieve compliance. Some checklists also help them utilise different auditing techniques to uncover hidden flaws in their management system. Additionally, checklists like ISO 14001 waste management checklist help to plan waste reduction.
How to Reduce Waste in the System?
Organisations can first reduce waste by conducting a general assessment that helps them create a customised plan to minimise waste. The benefit of a waste assessment is that it helps in properly sorting nonhazardous waste and hazardous materials and provides a list of procedures for managing the current environmental aspects. Waste reduction planning can also help in waste sorting, labelling, appropriate transportation, and disposal of waste products.
Benefits of ISO 14001 Waste Management Checklist
The ISO 14001 waste management checklist is a self-assessment that can potentially help in
resource conservation, energy protection, soil amendment, mitigation of environmental
contamination and reduction of potential negative health effects. These benefits vary as per the
products or services produced by the organisation. The more readily an organisation embraces the EMS and puts in the efforts to continually improve them, the greater the benefits it will receive.
What does the ISO 14001 Waste Management Checklist Contain?
An ISO 14001 waste management checklist results from years and years of experience by environmentalists, conservationists and innovators. Typically, an ISO 14001 waste management checklist contains nine sections dedicated to record maintenance, equipment management, training needs, emergency response plan, transporting and disposing of waste materials, waste labelling, waste sorting, waste reduction planning and waste assessment.
Waste assessment begins by identifying the actual waste produced in an organisation, going on to understand how the company determines if the waste is hazardous or nonhazardous and how the waste is classified and generated. Waste reduction planning is more concerned about the practises that are utilised to minimise the generation of waste. Waste sorting focuses on the types and characteristics of waste storage. This section of the checklist helps to determine the storage requirements so that different criteria for nonhazardous and hazardous substances can be created, helping the organisation adhere to all legal requirements. Waste labelling focuses on implementing protocols that prevent an accidental mixup between two types of incompatible substances.
Transporting and disposal are more concerned with the licensure of the transporter and the provision of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). This section also focuses on training employees who handle the waste while it is being transported to minimise any accidental occupational risks or hazards. An emergency response plan helps organisations prepare for any unexpected events while complying with all legal requirements. Training needs help the employees remain informed about exposure to hazardous substances and stick to the protocols to maintain their safety. The record section helps the EMS comply with the ISO standard and all applicable regulatory obligations.
Reduce Waste by Obtaining ISO 14001 with Edara Systems
The ISO 14001 waste management checklist helps organisations self assess their waste generation so that they can produce practical and feasible plans to reduce their waste and dispose of it in an environmentally safe manner.
If you need help obtaining ISO 14001, Edara Systems is here! Some of the most professional ISO consultants have gathered in the Edara Systems to help you get different types of ISO certification, such as ISO 14001. To contact Edara Systems consultants, visit edarasystems.com or call +61 2 8091 5777.