Waste Management Policies and Strategies in the Fabrication Sector - Literature review Example

Waste Management Name Institution Lecturer Course Date Introduction The increase in the level of technology has resulted in an increase in the level of industrialization in most parts of the world. This has resulted to changes in life styles hence increase demand for different products. The fabrication and machinery sector are among the industrial factories that contribute to the production of waste products in various parts of the world. According to Alexandru et al (2012), the fabrication sector include machinery, construction machinery, metal products which include iron sheets, nuts and bolts and other metal scrape metals. Poor waste management policies may affect the environment in a negative way such that it becomes unfit for human habitation. This paper focuses on the different types of wastes that are produces by fabrication industries and the waste management polices and strategies in the fabrication sector. In addition, the paper will also explain the different ways in which fabrication industry can comply with the regulations laid down by regulating bodies in its industry in terms of waste management. Types of Waste Products in Fabrication Firms The fabrication industries produces different waste products which are either solid or in liquid for. All these waste products have different effects and waste management strategies in the firm. The most common solid wastes in the fabrication industry include metals such as metals chips from metal cuttings, electroplating sludge from sludge metals, plastic containers including those with pains and other liquids such as acids and bases used in the fabrication industry. The liquid waste from fabrication industry include acids such as sulphuric acids and alkalis which are used in chemical conversions and coating. In addition the acids that are used in degreasing metal parts in the industrial machines. In addition, there are paints and paint solvents which spill over the working sites and surfaces which also comprise of the liquid wastes. Other liquid wastes include organic waste compounds, volatile liquids and industrial liquid that are used in the fabrication firm (Rajagopalan, 2012, p. 250). Waste Management Approach Waste management approaches are at minimizing the effects of waste in the working environment. Different companies use different waste management strategies and approaches in minimizing the harmful effects of the waste generated in the industries. The fabrication industries have both solid and liquid wastes which can be managed differently. Waste Management Hierarchy The waste management approach involves the management of waste according to the reduction of use, recycling and recovery of energy from the waste products as well as treating the waste. This means that the approach ensures that the waste is managed according to the importance of the waste and the ability to make any important use to the waste in the company. The fabrication company can hence manage its waste according to source reduction and reuse, recycling, recovery of the energy in the waste products so as to conserve energy, and treatment of the waste before it is disposed (Massimiliano & Roberto, 2008, p.1226). In addition, the waste management hierarchy approach gives priority to the most preferred method which is source reduction and reuse of the waste products and gives least priority to treatment of the waste. In terms of source reduction and reuse, the company should ensure that it reduces the sources of the waste. For example, the company can ensure that there are less spillage of acids and gases. In addition, the company can ensure that employees maximize the use of the solid raw materials in order to ensure less solid waste. This can be done by reusing small pieces of metals for other purposes instead of disposing them. The company can also decide to donate some of the unused items. In terms of recycling the company can convert the non recyclable material into useable heat and electricity using processes such as combustion and gasification. Those waste products that remain and cannot undergo any reuse of recycling may be treated and disposed. The disposal of waste is done in landfills which are then closed with soil (Hawkins & Shaw, 2004, p. 137). Producer Responsibility Issues This waste management approach requires that the manufactures of the materials that are used by the fabrication firm be held responsible for the environmental effects of the end use of their products. This means that the company should encourage the producers of the materials used to produce products that are environmental friendly. For example, the company may encourage it producers of acids and alkalis to produce alkalis and acids that have minimal adverse effects. In addition, the company, may decide to make it manufactures be able to recycle the solid wastes that result from the use of the materials they supply. The company may decide to implement this approach in many ways. For example, the company may make it mandatory for that entire manufacturer to recycle the waste. In addition, the company may request the company to recycle on voluntary basis or negotiate on the terms of recycling. Measures for Management of Waste on Site According to Rajagopalan (2012), a company can employ different measure in order to manage the waste that is on the working sites. This is because on site waste is likely to directly harm the employees of the organization. The company may decide to develop and implement t and waste management t programme that will ensure the collection, transportation and disposal of the waste products. Massimiliano & Roberto (2008) argues that on the site the company can get involved in different activities that will ensure good waste management. For example, the waste management programme may involve a system in which reclaimed and recycled materials can be used in the company as long as the meet the material specifications that were set by the fabrication firm. This means that the waste material will not accumulate on the site. In addition, the recycling of the materials can be done in order to generate other products that may not be necessarily useful to the company but generate revenue (Zhou, 2012, p. 4714). This will reduce the cost of transporting the waste to other treatment plants or disposal areas. In addition, the company can ensure that waste materials are segregated according g to the type of waste in order to make their recycling and disposal easier. Moreover, the management t of the company may create awareness and training to its employees on the different good practices in terms of waste management. This training will help the employees to be able to segregate the waste materials according to source and type of waste. The raining also promotes good practices which is part of the promotion of health and safety in the work environment (Sumit, 2013, p. 129). Compliance Demonstration on Duty of Care under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Business organization that deals in activities that produce wastes products must comply with the set rules and regulations in order to ensure a safe and clean environment. The company may demonstrate its compliance by ensuring that it completes all the waste tranfe4r notes before they transport any waste products from the company. The company should also ensure that all carriers of waste materials have valid waste carrier registration certificate. In addition, the company should also ensure that the waste carrier dispose the waste products at sites that are licensed for waste disposal. Finally, the company should also complete the hazardous notification since it deals with liquid materials and other hazardous waste products. Legislation on Waste Control There is a number of legislation that may be applicable to the fabrication company. These include legislation for disposal and safety standard of the employees as well as environment. Among g the legislation is the waste framework directive which requires a company to dispose waste in such a manner that it does to risk the lives of the community. The framework also stipulates that companies should dispose waste on designated site, waste carriers to have certificates which are valid, and periodic inspections of the company. In addition to the framework directive is the sewage sludge directive which protects the soil from the sludge produced by the company (Rajagopalan, 2012, p. 278). Regulator of Waste Materials According to Hawkins & Shaw (2004), the company can be regulated by the Environmental Agency which ensures that the activities of the organization do b not pollute the environment. This organization may enforce the laws by ensuring that the company activities abide its regulation by inspecting the premises. In addition, the agency ensure that the waste produced by the company do not contaminate the land and its organisms. Conclusion The management t of waste material is among the most important aspect of environmental management. Companies are required to have different strategies that will ensure proper waste management in order to avoid environmental pollution. Proper waste management t is important in thee industries in order to ensure a conducive environment in which the people can work and live. In addition, poor waste management in an industry may result to pollution and increase in diseases that affect human health. This means that companies should ensure that they abide with waste management regulations in order to ensure safety and health of the community. Among the strategies that can be used by fabrication firm to control wastes include recycling, treatment and disposal. References Alexandru, G., Ion, N., & Doina, N 2012. Management of the Waste Materials. Journal of Electrical & Electronics Engineering, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 73-78 Hawkins, G., & Shaw, H 2004. The Practical Guide to Waste Management Law: With a List of Abbreviations and Acronyms, Useful Websites and Relevant Legislation. London: Thomas Telford Massimiliano, M., & Roberto, Z 2008. Waste generation, waste disposal and policy effectiveness: Evidence on decoupling from the European Union. Resources, Conservation & Recycling, vol. 52, no. 10, pp. 1221-1234 Rajagopalan, K 2012. Minimizing Industrial Wastes from the Fabricated Metal Products Industries. Anthropogenic Contamination of Ecosystems, pp. 249-368 Sumit, G 2013. An Effective Waste Management System for a Better Future. Aweshkar Research Journal, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 129-136 Zhou, L 2012. Response to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipments in China: Legislation, recycling system, and advanced integrated process. Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 46, no. 9, pp. 4713-4724 Read More