The environment and the various standards, ISO 14001, BS8555, EMAS, and the Acorn scheme, that you can achieve to prove that you are doing your bit can lead to confusion and in that confusion it is easy to end up doing nothing.
What is easier to understand is the energy costs. None of us were immune to the rising petrol prices during last summer, and while they have now decreased the legacy is still very much around with higher prices of goods in the shops and the gas and electricity prices only now beginning to fall. That coupled with the fact that more and more businesses are moving over to having their water metered (not entirely voluntarily) means that there is even more that we can influence and more saving are possible through using environmental management systems.
There are a few things to think about before you start. Firstly which standard are you looking to achieve, and what standards do you already have. If you have nothing in place right now then starting with BS 8555 might be the best option, as this is a step by step approach, six steps in total, and each step is rewarded by a certificate. If you already have the quality standard ISO 9001 and /or the occupational health and safety standard ISO 18001 then gaining ISO 14001 is an easy step to take as many of the requirements are the same.
So what are the real benefits? It has been reported that Dowry Aerospace in the US found many benefits including a saving of $100,000 in energy costs. They are obviously a large American organisation, so perhaps their story seems less relevant to us. Therefore, what have companies closer to home found? Merseyside Fire and Rescue reportedly saved £30,000 in domestic water consumption, going through the BS 8555 route and then went forward for ISO 14001. Closer to home, Gulf Coast Seals in Glasgow have reported that they have seen water usage decrease by 33% and feel that achieving ISO 14001 has really focused them on their raw material usage and their utility usage. Water for them was the easiest to measure and the figures are impressive. They are looking forward to seeing the full results of the decrease in their energy usage in June.
The idea of starting work on a new initiative to green up your company in these economic times may seem a little ridiculous however, if it could be proved that the initiative would save you money, as it has others, would you then be tempted?
¹ Making the case for EMS by Catherine Golds of NQA in Quality World
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