Environment Management System

Introduction
 
The environmental aspects and the impacts associated with typical industrial or commercial sites can be both wide and diverse. The following table gives some examples:
 

Aspect	Impact
Fugitive emissions e.g. solvents	Air contamination, Photochemical smog formation
Oils, solvents, paint, metal, chemicals and packaging	Resource use, Potential air and water pollution if spilled
Packaging product	Resource use, Land Contamination, Volume of landfill
Effluent to foul sewer or river	Potential water pollution
Stack emissions to air, e.g. particulates, VOCs and combustion products	Air contamination, Photochemical smog formation
Use of fossil fuels	Resource use, Climate change
Use of electricity	Resource use, Climate change
Use of electricity	Resource use, Climate change
Solid waste	Land contamination, Landfill gas and leachate production, Volume of landfill
Liquid waste	Potential water pollution, Hazard to human health
Use of water (mains fed or abstracted)	Resource use
Rainwater run off to drains	Potential water pollution

Many companies find it difficult to assess their impact on the environment and tend to rely on an ad hoc approach to dealing with issues such as health and safety, emission limits and noise pollution. But it is much better to deal with these issues together - and an environmental management system (EMS) will help you to:

• monitor environmental performance;
  
• comply with environmental regulations and environmental reporting;
  
• identify opportunities to reduce waste;
  
• reduce your operating costs.

How will an EMS benefit your company

• It will help you meet demands from customers that want to ensure their environmental credentials
  
• It will help you to meet current and anticipated legislation.
  
• It will help you to reduce waste and hence operating costs.
  
• It will make your company more competitive.
  
• It will demonstrate your company's responsible concern for the global, regional and local environment.
  
• mearsecroft.co.uk can help you develop your own EMS following the guidelines laid down in recognised
• national or international standards, for example ISO 14001 and EMAS. 

A successful EMS depends on obtaining commitment from senior management, involving all employees and setting realistic targets.
 
The potential benefits of implementing an EMS

Financial 

• Identification of opportunities to reduce waste and thus reduce raw material, utility and waste disposal
• costs
  
• Increased profits
  
• Reduced risk of fines for non-compliance with environmental legislation
  
• Lower insurance premiums as risks and liabilities are reduced
  
• Retaining site asset value
  
• More easily obtainable bank loans
  
• Attracting shareholders and investors

Productivity 

• Improved process control
  
• Reduced use of raw materials and consumables
  
• Less waste and rejects

Sales and Marketing

• Improved products
  
• Competitive advantage
  (preferred supplier status)

Management 

• Structured approach to environmental issues and continual improvement
  
• Keeping ahead of environmental legislation
  
• Better relations with regulators.

Public relations 

• Improved relations with local community and environmental groups
  
• Improved public image
  

Personnel and training

• Improved working environment
  
• Reduced potential for environmental incidents 
  
• Increased employee motivation and environmental awareness
  

Peace of mind

• Conforming to legal requirements
  
• Avoiding penalties for pollution
  

What does EMS involve?

Get started by obtaining top level commitment, appointing a project leader and team, and allocating resources.
 

Carry out an initial review, including:

• gathering data;
  
• preparing a list of environmental aspects and impacts;
  identify significant aspects and impacts for your company;
  
• listing relevant legislation.
  
• Start writing a site environmental policy.

Set objectives and targets as part of an environmental improvement programme.

Develop a management programme which includes:

• written procedures to control activities with a significant environmental impact.
  
• operational controls to ensure completeness and supervision of those procedures 
  
• keeping records of actions
  

Carry out internal environmental audits to check that the system is operating effectively.

Carry out regular reviews of the programme.

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