Examples

Consider the following pictures, taken from real companies, and say what you can identify from an environmental point of view

1. Waste skips

The waste is mixed and may not therefore be easily sent for recycling. Some reclaimers will pay to collect good quality, well-sorted wastes.

2. Drum in factory.

No spill tray, lock or label

A spillage could lead to land contamination, water pollution or fugitive losses to atmosphere (as well as costing money in lost materials)

3. Storage tanks inside a bunded area.

Is the right hand tank in good condition?

Is the bund volume sufficient to hold all of the contents of the largest tank?

Is the bund secure and clean?

4. Chemical store.

Are all the chemical drums labelled?

Are similar chemical together, or are pairs of chemicals which react stored together?

5. Unmarked chemical container.

Without proper labelling the contents of this drum are unknown. Great care must be taken in handling the drum and its contents. Disposal of the drum should be entrusted to a licensed agent who should identify the contents and dispose of them appropriately. This process is likely to be expensive.

6. Factory doors.

Lost heating energy can be significantly reduced by ensuring that doors are closed when the heating is turned on. To facilitate the movement of vehicles, usually fork lift trucks, sliding doors or drive through plastic ones may be used. Observe the use of the doors - are they really used properly ?

7. Solid waste.

Here powdered zinc is lying on the floor due to spillages from a collector on a dust extraction system.

The waste should be collected and disposed of properly to avoid any potential contamination of the land.

8. Drum storage.

Are the drums in this picture adequately stored?

No bund or spill kit is obvious in this picture. The top drums are badly placed and vulnerable to accidental collision.