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Excerpt
This book is an easy to read [how-to] on using the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) framework as a structured approach to implementing a Pollution Prevention (P2) Program. Bendavid-Val and Chermisinoff outline a step-by-step methodology that successfully integrates these two environmental management tools so that companies can leverage the cost savings of early P2 actions and investments to help underwrite the development and maintenance costs of its EMS.
Following the basic Plan–Do–Check–Act cycle inherent to ISO 14001, the authors describe five phases to an Integrated EMS/P2 Program: (1) initial organizing activities to get started; (2) pre-planning activities necessary to focus the EMS/P2 Program on significant environmental aspects, regulatory requirements and the company’s policy commitments, and to establish the underlying infrastructure (personnel responsibilities, training, communication, documentation, document control, and operating procedures); (3) development and implementation of environmental management initiatives, with focus on both operational initiatives (such as P2 initiatives and environmental objectives and targets) and non-operational initiatives (such as stakeholder engagement, environmental performance monitoring, security and emergency preparedness, and new product or equipment initiatives); (4) steps on monitoring, evaluating, and improving these initiatives; and (5) top management review and continual improvement of the EMS/P2 program.
The book starts off with a basic tutorial on EMS and P2 principles and concepts, the drivers and benefits for a company, pollution management strategies, and the ISO 14001 framework. It follows with the essential P2 Program elements needed to achieve the maximum benefit. They are: (1) identify baseline costs for pollution management; (2) prioritize environmental aspects of operations; (3) apply engineering and management expertise to identify alternative pollution management; (4) perform an investment analysis and make recommendations for implementation; and (5) repeat in other priority areas of the company. Finally, a chapter is dedicated to each of the five phases of an Integrated EMS/P2 Program, giving detailed information and examples.
Particularly valuable is the authors’ discussion of Statistical Process Control techniques (i.e., frequency histograms, control charts, Pareto charts, and cause-and-effect diagrams), and life-cycle costing tools augmented with supplementary economic measures (i.e., life-cycle cost analysis, net savings/net benefits measures, savings-to-investment ratio, adjusted internal rate of return, and payback calculations). A company can use these tools and techniques to identify viable P2 opportunities that yield improved economic performance, environmental performance, and environmental risk reduction. The generous use of case studies and diagrams help the reader understand the theory and models presented. Lastly, for those companies interested in pursuing ISO 14001 certification, a summary of those requirements is provided.
