Environmental Aspect/ImpactsEnvironmental Aspect/Impacts

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Abakash NayakAbakash Nayak

Environmental aspects are the building blocks of EMS!!

Objectives

1. Define an environmental impact

2. Give examples of impacts from our operations

ISO14001 Requirement

ISO14001 requires:“the organization shall establish and maintain a procedure to identify the environmental aspects of its activities, products and services that it can control and over which it can be expected to have an influence, in order to determine those which have or can have significant impacts on the environment”

ISO14001 Requirement

ISO14001 requires:“the organization shall establish and maintain a procedure to identify the environmental aspects of its activities, products and services that it can control and over which it can be expected to have an influence, in order to determine those which have or can have significant impacts on the environment”

What is an environmental aspect?

ISO14001 defines an environmental aspect as an:“element of an organization’s activities, products or services that can interact with the environment”Aspects can be - regulated or non-regulated- natural or man-made- positive or negative - controlled or influenced by the organization

What is an environmental impact?

An environmental impact is a change to the environment, either adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from an organization’s activities, products, or services.

Define “Environment”

ISO14001 defines the environment as:“surroundings in which an organization operates, including air, water, land, natural resources, flora, fauna, humans and their interrelationNOTE: Surroundings in this context extend from within an organization to the global system.”

Examples of Impacts

Generaldepletion of natural resourcesdestruction of habitatsWater pHoxygen leveltoxicityAirair toxicitysmogglobal Warmingozone Depletion

Examples of Aspects & Impacts ASPECTS IMPACTS

1.Vehicles emit exhaust2. Water leaks3. Fueling spills occur4. Containers not closed5. Noise from engine run up6. Lights, computers left ON at night7. Paper bleached 8. Bicycles don’t emit exhaust

1. Sulfur oxides released2. Water resource depleted3. Storm water contaminated4. Chemical may be spilled5. Hearing, sleep impaired6. Increased CO2, coal-fired power plant emissions7. Dioxins created 8. Air pollution reduced

Who should determine your significant aspects and impacts?

YOU!!!You know your processYou know the environmental consequencesYou know your business requirementsThe organization sets its own criteria

for significance

Identifying Environmental AspectsIdentifying Environmental Aspects

I Energy ConsumptionII Water ConsumptionIII Chemical ConsumptionIV Raw Material & ComponentsV Supplies

VI Air EmissionsVII WasteVIII Water DischargeIX ProductX Land UseXI Community

Interactions

Environmental Environmental AspectsAspects

I. Energy Consumption• Electricity• Fuel Oil• Natural Gas• Gasoline• Other Fuel

• Purchased Steam• Purchased Chilled Water

• Coal

II. Water Consumption

Environmental AspectsEnvironmental Aspects

• Site-owned Sources • Municipal or Private Sources

• De-ionized Water• Bottled Water• Other Sources

III. Chemical Consumption

Environmental AspectsEnvironmental Aspects

• Corrosives (acids, bases)• Solvents• Adhesives• Inks• Fluxing Agents• Compressed Gases • Oxidizers• Paints

• Resins• Cryogenics• Solder Products• Photographic Chemicals• Water Treatment Chemicals• Petroleum-based Products• Maintenance Supplies

• Raw material• Metal & non metal• components, circuit boards, Batteries• Wire• Packaging•Unusual Materials

IV. Raw Material and Components Consumption

Environmental AspectsEnvironmental Aspects

• Office Paper• Computer Paper• Carbon paper• Food

V. Supplies

Environmental AspectsEnvironmental Aspects

VII. Waste

Environmental AspectsEnvironmental Aspects

• Concentrated Corrosives• Solvents• Adhesives• Inks• Solder/lead Wastes • Oxidizers• Paint/Paint Related Waste• Waste Treatment Sludge• Contaminated Soil

• Batteries• Mercury-containing Wastes• Lab Packs• PCBs• Petroleum Waste• Hazardous Waste Solids• Hazardous Waste Liquids• Other Mixtures

VIII. Water Discharge

Environmental AspectsEnvironmental Aspects

• Sanitary• Industrial Pretreatment• Storm water etc.

IX. Product

Environmental AspectsEnvironmental Aspects

• Transportation• Mode/distance• Energy Use• Emissions

• End of Life Management• Reusability• Recyclability• Hazardous/toxic Material Content• Material Diversity• Upgradability• Waste Classification• Assembly/disassembly techniques• Disposal/emissions

X. Land Use

Environmental AspectsEnvironmental Aspects

• On-site Storage/containment/distribution/handling of Solids, Liquids, Gases• Interactions with natural surface or ground water on the property; wetlands• Cooling Tower Operation• Thermal Emissions• Maintenance Activities • Soil Erosion• Release of Pesticides, Fertilizers, etc.• soil contamination

XI. Community Interactions

Environmental AspectsEnvironmental Aspects

• Noise, Odor, Vibration, Heat Generation, Site Lighting• Employee Commuting• Trucking In and Out• Dust Generation• Electromagnetic Frequency Releases• Recycling and Recovery Operations• Appearance (Visual Impact) and Housekeeping

Summary

Identification of environmental aspects and impacts is a key part of an EMS.Aspects and impacts arise from activities, products, and services.An EMS includes procedures for identification and updating of aspects and impacts.

Ensure Success

Define your methodologySelect team facilitator(s)

– Strong team skills– Respected by peers– Knowledgeable

Involve multi- functional teamAsk managers to identify candidates with specific competenciesConsider different teams for different activitiesAt a minimum, validate the aspect/impact identification and significance scoring for our operationsKeep information up-to-date

“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.”

Mahatma Gandhi

Thank You