How Can Obtaining the ISO 14001 Certification Help Your Organization Handle Waste?

When it comes to waste management of you brand, it’s more than collecting rubbish and dumping it at a landfill. Regardless of your niche and size, most businesses use hazardous materials for their processes. If not handled properly, they can pose a threat to the environment and human health. These materials are found in almost all everyday items like electronic items, fluorescent light bulbs, and certain batteries. However, obtaining the latest ISO 14001 certification by passing this audit can help organizations handle waste carefully.


The ISO 14001:15 standard is globally recognized for EMS (Environmental Management Systems). Implementing this ISO standard in your business process shows that you care for the environment and the environment by reducing waste production and managing it properly. The ISO 14001:2015 provides a structured approach and framework for businesses regarding waste management. By evaluating and identifying all environmental aspects of your organization, you can verify the waste produced in your processes and determine how you’ll handle them with operational controls.

Wondering how to handle your organizational waste with the help of the ISO 14001:2015? Continue reading the following blog post.


How to manage your organizational waste with the ISO 14001:15?

Waste management is about the disposal of substances and products that you’ve used efficiently and safely.

Though there’re no specific waste management steps prescribed in the ISO 14001, businesses should approach and implement their requirements.


The following are some of the common steps,

1. Waste evaluation:

To manage your waste, you must first verify how your organizations will handle hazardous waste.

Alongside that, you should also verify if handling specific waste is regulated by legislation or not.


2. Waste storage:

Depending on your waste types, you must organize storage facilities with different storage needs.

Organizational wastes are mostly liquid or solid. Henceforth, it’s a must to store them as per their characteristics.

If the wastes are hazardous, you must store them in a leak-proof, sturdy container and keep them closed unless you’re adding or removing wastes.

Alongside that, you should also label containers as “Hazardous Waste” with a clear description of the contents inside and the date when they were first placed.

If you’re storing your waste outside, ensure the following:

• Access to the containers is limited.

• The containers are protected from various elements.

• The containers (for liquid wastes) are stored on an impermeable surface to stop accidental leaks.


3. Waste labelling:

If your organizational wastes are non-hazardous, they don’t need any special labeling.

But for labeling hazardous wastes, you must include the following:

• Information (name, address, telephone number, date of packaging, etc.) about the waste owner who packed the waste.

• A warning like “HARZARDOUS WASTE: DON’T TOUCH.”

• Physical characteristics of the wastes (solid/liquid/gaseous/paste/powder/sludge).


4. Waste transport and disposal:

To ensure proper transport and disposal of your organizations hazardous waste and reduce your liability, you should choose a transporter with the following certifications.

•Hazardous waste identification number

• Vehicle credentials

• License as a hazardous waste transporter

• Liability insurance

• Knowledge of permitted hazardous waste facilities

• Hazardous waste transporting training certifications


5. Planning for emergencies:

Handling hazardous wastes can also cause emergencies due to mistreating them or other causes.

Thus, you should plan for emergencies followingly.

• Train your employees with the emergency response procedures.

• Maintain waste spill and specific emergency response tools for accessible areas.


6. Employee training:

It’s a must to train employees responsible for handling, storing, or managing hazardous wastes with the following.

• Precautions in waste management

• Basic processes for waste management

• Authorities and responsibilities

• Environmental and human risks


7. Documentation:

It’s essential to keep records of all the procedures to prove that your organizational wastes are stored and managed according to all waste management rules.


Bottom line

Wondering if obtaining an ISO 14001 certification can help you manage organizational waste? Well, it doesn’t prescribe any specific rules for waste management. However, it can help you stay compliant with waste management rules.

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