How do you define the scope of your EMS for waste management?

I. Identify the objectives of the EMS for waste management. II. Determine the specific waste streams to be managed within the EMS scope. III. Establish boundaries and limitations of the EMS, considering regulatory requirements, organizational capabilities, and stakeholder expectations.

To define the scope of your EMS for waste management: Clearly outline waste management activities, including generation, handling, and disposal. Specify boundaries and locations where these activities occur. Consider legal requirements and environmental aspects related to waste management. Set objectives and targets aligned with organizational goals. Document roles, responsibilities, and scope in a formal statement or policy.

Waste management is important as it contributes to a clean environment, reduced waste (land) pollution can improve water quality , which provides a better habitat for fish and other aquatic life

Waste management actually begins at the source. What you have identified as waste management, “the process of collecting, transporting, processing, recycling, or disposing of waste materials” misses this vital first step. Should you wish additional guidance, please reach out and I will be happy to assist you.

For any industrial EMS, robust waste management is crucial. It safeguards the environment by minimizing pollution, ensures regulatory compliance, reduces costs through efficient disposal, and bolsters a company's image by demonstrating environmental commitment. RCRA, the central US hazardous waste statute, outlines regulations regarding waste identification, storage, transportation, and disposal. Integrating sound waste management into your EMS not only protects the planet but also benefits your business in numerous ways.

In my experience, identifying waste sources is very important. It is also important to promote waste separation at the source as this can improve the EMS

As an Environmentalist, to identify the waste sources and aspects, you need to define the following: Organization context, objectives and goals. Potential operational activities (aspects and impacts) which can generate the wastes. Identifying the different types of materials and services will be used during the different operations.

Facility walks, physical explorations of your operations, reveal excessive scrap, packaging, or discards. Waste audits quantify and analyze waste streams, highlighting major culprits. Process flowcharts under the microscope expose waste-generating steps. Engaging employees unlocks valuable insights and solutions. Data tracking systems guide improvement efforts. Waste stream analysis opens doors to recycling or reuse. Supplier collaboration can tackle waste at its source. Industry benchmarking sets a target for waste reduction. Root cause analysis delves deeper, uncovering the hidden reasons behind waste generation. Remember, vigilance is key – waste sources shift, so continuous reassessment ensures your management stays effective.

Segundo passo é identificar a fonte geradora de resíduos sólidos, seja ela domiciliar que são resíduos produzidos dentro de nossas casas, por exemplo vidro, papel, restos de alimentos. Resíduos industriais que são resíduos com diferentes categorias, dependendo do nicho de atuação daquela indústria, por exemplo indústrias de alimentos, produzem sobras e restos de alimentos. Resíduos públicos que são resíduos provenientes de limpezas públicas, por exemplo varrição. Resíduos especiais que o seu próprio nome já diz, o mesmo precisa de destinação especial, por exemplo resíduos de saúde. E por fim resíduos agrícolas que são resíduos provenientes de atividades pecuárias e agrícolas.

Define the scope of an Environmental management system (EMS) for waste management involves outlining the boundaries and details of the system. This typically includes specifying the types of waste, locations, processes, and activities to be covered. Consider legal requirements, organizational goals, and environmental aspects when determining the scope. Regular reviews and update are crucial to ensure the scope remains relevant and effective.

Focus on what wastes you produce, and why... Separating for recycling is great at the end of the pipe, but focus on not producing as much in the first place

It is important to include both routine impacts from normal operations and non-routine/accidental impacts. In addition, climate impacts for both routine and accidental impacts can cause an increase in risks if they are not understood and appropriately managed.

Unveiling waste's environmental punch and threats to your business is crucial. Impact assessment reveals consequences like air pollution, water contamination, and land degradation, aligning with USEPA's focus on protecting human health and ecosystems. Risk assessment then uncovers potential fines, liabilities, and reputational damage, echoing RCRA's emphasis on regulatory compliance. By prioritizing waste aspects through their impact and risk to both environment and your organization, you ensure an EMS aligned with USEPA's mission and your own sustainability goals. Remember, tackling high-impact, high-risk waste first delivers the biggest win for both planet and profit.

Assim como as empresas possuem atividades distintas, os resíduos também se diferem em características físicas, químicas e biológicas, que deverão ser compreendidas para definir a melhor alternativa para tratamento e descarte. Essa decisão passará pela identificação dos constituintes em etapas conhecidas como classificação, caracterização e os tipos de resíduos, que seguem os padrões estabelecidos pela ABNT NBR 10.004/04.

Waste objectives and targets, guided by SMART principles, become laser beams towards sustainability. Consider USEPA's waste hierarchy – reduce, reuse, recycle – as your North Star. Aim for ambitious yet achievable goals, like a 20% waste reduction, 50% recycling rate, or zero landfill policy. Benchmarks against industry leaders fuel your ambition, while gap analysis pinpoints improvement areas. Remember, these targets aren't just numbers; they're commitments to our planet and your bottom line. Align them with your vision and values to create a truly purpose-driven EMS.

Os objetivos e metas na gestão de resíduos serão estabelecidos após verificar todos os pontos em que precisa melhorar no aspecto ambiental, ou seja, depois de registrado e delineado todos os aspectos e impactos ambientais que se deseja eliminar ou mitigar, para aí sim, destinar o seu resíduos de maneira segura de maneira correta.

El establecimiento de metas y objetivos en materia de residuos depende de varios factores: los objetivos de la organización, valores y alcances. Una de las metas principales deberá ser la minimización de la generación, la segregación adecuada y el porcentaje de reciclaje de los residuos generados. Estos objetivos deberán ser medibles, trazables, alcanzables, y establecidos de acuerdo al desempeño llevado a cabo en ejercicios o años anteriores, y deberán estar alineados a los compromisos establecidos en los planes de manejo de los residuos peligrosos y de manejo especial autorizados para la planta o empresa.

Prevention takes center stage, aligning with USEPA's waste hierarchy. Stop waste at its source through process optimizations, material substitutions, and minimizing packaging. Then, embrace the 3Rs – reduce, reuse, recycle. Segregate waste streams, implement reuse programs, and partner with recycling facilities. For unavoidable waste, explore recovery options like composting or energy generation before considering disposal. Standardized procedures, based on USEPA best practices, guide your team, while training and awareness empower them to champion waste reduction and be a partner in the company’s overall mission. Remember, resources allocated to waste management are investments – for your business and the planet.

Um bom exemplo é a adoção dos sete R’s que fazem parte de um processo educativo que tem por objetivo uma mudança de hábitos no cotidiano dos cidadãos e garantir um futuro melhor para todos nós. Primeiramente devemos Repensar nossos hábitos; Recusar produtos desnecessários, precisamos mesmo disso? ; Reduzir usando produtos de maneira correta com maior durabilidade; Reparar muitas vezes concertar um produtor quebrado, vale mais a pena; Reutilizar podemos dar um fim apropriado para nossos produtos reutilizando; não dando para Reutilizar, devemos Reciclar dando uma destinação correta para o resíduo; Já aquilo que não pode ser Reciclado, como restos de alimentos e outros materiais orgânicos, pode ser Reintegrado à natureza.

En México, es muy importante tomar en cuenta que los objetivos y alcances de nuestro sistema de gestión ambiental en materia de residuos, deberá estar alineado a los compromisos establecidos y autorizados en los planes de manejo de residuos peligros y de manejo especial. Un seguimiento oportuno de la generación de residuos puede tener ventajas positivas para la organización como: 1. Identificación de generación por área. 2. Impulsar puntualmente la segregación. 3. Valorización de residuos. 4. Reducción de costos por disposición y/o manejo de residuos. 5. Reducción de riesgos e impactos ambientales. Entre otros.