Solid Waste - How to make an effective management plan?

by Abdul Rimaaz Abdul Rimaaz Business Consultants UK

You need to dispose of the waste generated by your company, don't you? But do you know how best to do that? Do you understand what the current legislation on the subject says and how to perform good waste management to reduce the environmental impact of your organization?

 

The management of solid waste is an important tool for reducing the environmental impacts produced by the population of a city. The correct disposal of recyclables and organics increases the useful life of landfills, reduces the  ecological footprint  and drives the economy, generating new products, energy and fertilizer.

 

Read this article and find out now how to create an effective Solid Waste Management Plan for your company!

 

After all, what is a Solid Waste Management Plan?

 

Your company generates waste every day for the production of materials and maintenance of activities. Thus, the Solid Waste Management Plan, also known as PGRS, consists of an internal policy of the company for the management of this waste that may involve decreasing the generation, reuse, recycling and disposal of these materials.

 

It takes into account the type of waste generated by the organization, as well as preserving the surrounding environment and reducing the social impacts of the waste generated. In addition, there are national guidelines on how companies should create and execute this type of plan.

 

There are three types of resource management plan in this regard. The first of these is the PGRS, which is more specifically aimed at planning the disposal of  industrial waste  in general. However, more specific wastes, which offer different risks, must follow a different plan. This is the case of organizations that work in the health area and need to discard biological or contaminated materials, such as syringes and needles, for example. For them, planning must be done in accordance with the PGRSS (Health Services Waste Management Plan).

 

Finally, there is the municipal plan, related to urban cleaning, which must be considered when creating your own company policy. It is called the Municipal Plan for Integrated Solid Waste Management, the PMGIRS.

 

What does the legislation on solid waste management say?

 

The main law regarding the Solid Waste Management Plan. It institutes the National Solid Waste Policy , which makes any type of organization responsible for the waste generated by it.

 

It establishes the obligation to create the PGRS for certain segments of the economy, such as those with industrial activities, medium and large commercial establishments, construction companies, companies providing basic sanitation services, hospitals, clinics and other organizations related to health area, always including private companies and public agencies, among others.

 

This law also determines the guidelines for the creation of this plan, including valuing the preservation of the environment and eco-efficiency. It also calls for reducing generation and increasing recycling of waste, recognizing it as an economic good.

 

What is the importance of a Solid Waste Management Plan?

 

One of the motivators for the creation of a Solid Waste Management Plan is the requirement foreseen by law for industries and organizations in certain areas of activity. After all, failing to deliver, update or comply with the PGRS can result in sanctions, fines, interdictions and even detention.

 

However, the importance of PGRS is not only in its legal character, but also in the environmental, social and impact that this policy can bring to the image of the business in the market. That's because your company has an impact on society and the environment in which it operates. Thus, the waste generated can cause problems in the short, medium and long terms, if it is not managed correctly.

 

The population and the consumer market are increasingly aware and aware of the need to  preserve the environment . In this way, brands that are not concerned with this impact can be considered enemies of the environment and can be passed over to those that are perceived as sustainable.

 

Finally, PGRS can also bring financial returns to the business, reducing costs and enhancing profits. This is because apparently obsolete materials can become useful when subjected to  proper treatment . Organic products, for example, are raw materials for generating fertilizer and energy, while used cooking oil and spoiled electronic materials are collected, often free of charge, by companies specializing in their reuse.

 

Therefore, if you think that ecological economy is not an appeal to your company, remember that this can avoid fines and legal inconvenience, in addition to bringing great improvements to the image of the business before the market and society as a whole, as well as a financial return.

 

How to create an efficient Solid Waste Management Plan for your industry?

 

Now that you know what a Solid Waste Management Plan is and its importance, see what measures you should take to create a good PGRS for your company.

 

Hire professionals and specialized companies

 

The first step taken should be to organize and hire  experienced and competent professionals  to think and execute this management plan. A multidisciplinary team is welcome, as well as hiring offices that already have experience in the market and work carried out in this regard.

 

Make a local diagnosis

 

Subsequently, a  diagnosis of the site should be made . That is, you need to check the company's conditions regarding odors, noise, visual pollution, contamination of nearby beds, presence of disease vectors and toxic materials in the soil.

 

This step is crucial for the success of the project, as well as the waste management of the organization as a whole. This is because it is from this diagnosis that the potentialities will be listed - what the company is already able to do with the issue of waste in a satisfactory way - and the problems, which should receive greater attention.

 

Empower employees and inform customers

 

For the Solid Waste Management Plan to be put into practice, employees and customers need to be aware of how to dispose of correctly. Environmental education is crucial to the success of the strategy, since all individuals are involved in the process.

 

The handling of the collected material must be done by trained professionals, who know the transport routes, as well as the correct way of handling each container, reducing the risk of accidents.

 

If an employee inappropriately disposes of hospital waste, for example, and gets hurt, it can cause a number of inconveniences for both you and the company. When PGRS safety rules are followed, this type of problem can be avoided.

 

Plan for separation, packaging and transportation

 

Each material must be packaged, transported and destined according to its dangerousness, composition and functionality. Once mixed, the separation will be extra work and can present risks for the people involved.

 

For recycling purposes, solid waste management is essential to ensure the usefulness of the material. Paper, for example, will not be a recyclable material if it is greasy or if it comes in contact with liquids that contaminate it. The correct thing is to dispose of it in an organized way, with specific containers for metal, plastic, paper, glass, organics, electronics and waste.

 

Check the legal conditions and waste separation for separate collection

 

After this diagnostic step, the legal conditions must be checked, as the PGRS must also follow the guidelines of state and municipal laws that deal with the issue.

 

Subsequently, it should be proposed to separate the waste according to the materials. This tactic must be implemented gradually and an education program is needed to accustom employees to this new reality.

 

Set action goals

 

It is also necessary to define goals and actions for the management of industrial waste, in order to expand and enhance the disposal safely, reducing the production of waste and increasing the reuse and recycling of materials.

 

There are four deadlines in which the goals are set: immediate, short, medium and long term. The goals for each of them are different, and the industry and the PGRS must always propose an evolution in the issue of waste.

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Determine indicators and forms of validation

 

How to know that PGRS is on the right track? It is necessary to define clear and objective indicators in order to analyze the planning effectiveness.

 

Finally, the last step is to validate the PGRS jointly between the organization and employees. The program needs to be understood and embraced by everyone, otherwise its efficiency is compromised. For this reason, it is recommended that employees participate in the process and be heard in carrying out the PGRS.

 

As you can see, the Solid Waste Management Plan is not only a legal obligation for your company, but also a way to attract consumers and create a differential for the organization. So, take advantage of our tips and always   pay attention to the legislation to create an efficient. The company, the city and the planet can only benefit from this. Leave the concept of waste behind and be another pioneer administrator in the era of reuse and recycling.

 

 

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Created on Jan 18th 2021 13:12. Viewed 388 times.

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