Another very important issue is food packaging materials, which make up almost 5% of the total weight (15% of the total volume) of waste materials. Although it is a comprehensive chapter, it could have been much longer in view of the large number of waste treatment methods used.
Current state of Environmental Management System (EMS) implementation
Emissions and wastewater management
In land-based systems, an overland flow study examining phosphorus removal from pig lagoon effluent showed that system slope did not affect sediment phosphorus concentrations, even at various application rates (Liu et al., 1997). All three filters were able to consistently meet the State of California effluent turbidity limit and were characterized by similar costs (Kuo et al., 1997).
Food industry and agricultural waste
Dairy industry
Conventional treatment technologies were deemed too expensive for rural communities in Brazil, so treatment of degradated wastewater through grass was investigated at two sites, leading to promising results (Freire, 1997). et al., 1996). When a dairy uses resources such as surface water, groundwater and condensates, great attention is needed to meet quality requirements.
Fermentation industry
A substrate utilization model was accurate except when HRTs decreased to minimum values (Romero et al., 1996). These data suggest that resveratrol, a common ingredient in the human diet, deserves investigation as a potential chemopreventive agent against human cancer (Jang et al., 1998).
Beverage industry
Fruit and vegetable industry
Studies on anaerobic treatment of various distillery effluents used full-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors and highlighted the treatment of effluents from sugarcane-based distilleries with COD concentrations of 60,000 to 160,000 mg COD/l (Boudouropoulos). and Arvanitoyannis, 2000). The performance of an anaerobic upflow blanket type reactor for the treatment of olive oil production wastewater was evaluated (Ozturk et al., 1992).
Meat and poultry
The effect of peeling maturity and reuse of the extraction liquor led to an increase in the yield of both hesperidin and naringin. The process selection methodology and analytical problems associated with phosphorus removal from oilseed and vegetable production wastewaters.
Agricultural waste
No significant differences in arachlor, atrazine, and nitrate concentrations were detected between pre- and post-flood distributions in alluvial aquifers in the USA (Chung et al., 1998). Lowering pH had little effect on compound removal, which was 99% for the H2S and 70% for the oxygenated and aromatic hydrocarbons (Webster et al., 1997).
Effects of pollution on organisms
If these were successfully recovered and demonstrated that olive oil production waste had potent anticarcinogenic activity, it would be a promising, inexpensive source of antioxidants (Visioli et al., 1995). However, birds from the oiled area were anemic and adult return rates and male fidelity were low (Reish et al., 1998).
Glass, chemicals and other products
Phenolic compounds are abundant in both natural products and industrial and municipal waters (Gerard et al., 1995). Therefore, an extraction of phenols from water samples by liquid-solid phase extraction is used (Pissolato et al., 1996).
Environmental attitudes and politics
In contrast, product bans, technology specifications, and information provision, for example, meet relatively little political resistance and do not set institutional requirements, but are relatively inefficient due to the high costs of involved meetings and environmental standards (Turner et al., 1998). Reports on global warming and ozone depletion suggest the need for urgent action to avert impending catastrophe (Boudouropoulos and Arvanitoyannis, 1999).
Progress in alternative energy
Although a variety of factors may be behind the recent surge in interest in green taxes, a major factor may be disillusionment with the efficiency and effectiveness of the direct regulatory approach to environmental policy. Several industrialized countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and France have long recognized the need for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs).
Solar energy
Instruments such as levies, permits and subsidies score well on efficiency grounds, but are more problematic in terms of institutional requirements and political feasibility. As a result, they have adopted formal EIA principles and practices for various activities, including highway construction (Glasson et al., 1999) and for the mining and industrial sectors.
Aeolian energy and air pollution
Hydropower, geothermal, fuel cell systems and other alternative energies
Although not a final solution to the world's clean energy needs, it is a significant contributor and has great potential for expansion in the future. When this stage of development is reached, geothermal energy could potentially supply as much as 25-50% of the world's electrical and heating needs (Wright, 1998).
Environmental impact assessment
7 a full description of the existing environment that may be affected by the proposal;. basic conditions; lack of information; data sources; the proximity of people, other enterprises. The 12 measures that will be taken with the proposal for environmental protection and the assessment of their potential effectiveness.
Environmental impact of chemicals used in the dairy industry that may enter dairy waste water. Statistical evaluations reflect the skewness of the distribution of TCDD levels in human adipose tissue.
ISO 14000: A
Introduction of ISO 14000
Those opposed to ISO 14001 believed that it would only result in too much paperwork and too little benefit. In particular, their main concern focused on understanding whether non-compliance with regulations, discovered during an ISO 14001 audit, could result in excessive fines from government agencies, or whether ISO 14001 registration could be used by government agencies as a means of for reducing reporting requirements, record keeping or monetary fines against companies.
The emergence of global environmental awareness
ISO 14000 stands for a series of standards including ISO 14001 addressing environmental management and pollution prevention (http://www.quality.co.uk/quality). These two documents are the pillars of the ISO 14000 series as they specify the requirements against which a company's EMS must be assessed.
Technical Committee 207 (TC 207)
It has been a major challenge for environmental management to decide which systems to design and how to implement them in a cost-effective manner (Lash and Buzzelli, 1995). These documents focus on environmental labels and declarations, life cycle assessment and environmental management terms and definitions (http://www.envir.com/iso/; Hunt and Johnson, 1995).
Environmental management systems (EMS)
What is environmental management?
What is an environmental management system?
What is environmental policy?
The organization's environmental policy must be documented, implemented, maintained and communicated to all employees and also be available to the public (Lamprecht, 1996). 3 Implementation Providing the resources and support mechanism needed to achieve the environmental policy and the goals and targets.
Criteria and issues of an EMS
4 A includes a commitment to continuous improvement of environmental performance and pollution prevention. 4 Whether the environmental policy has been communicated to all employees 5 Is the EMS suitable for fulfilling the environmental policy and its objectives.
Benefits of implementing ISO 14000
One may have a complete system, it may be well suited to the nature and complexity involved, it may be well implemented, and it may still not be sufficient to meet the organization's environmental policy and objectives. One challenge facing ISO 14000 proponents is convincing companies to register under the standards because of the perception in the industry that the benefits of registration may not outweigh the costs of the effort.
ISO 14000: a new approach
Although pollution reduction is the goal of ISO 14000, its expected reduction is neither clearly prescribed nor quantified. In the United States, companies are accustomed to complying with environmental laws and recognize such efforts as a cost of doing business.
ISO 14001: what it is and what it is not
Faced with society's increasing expectations, the revision of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) considers environmental management as an increasingly critical criterion in the allocation of agricultural aid. With the goal of evaluating the environmental friendliness of agricultural practices, France's agricultural research and extension services have built a number of agricultural/environmental diagnostic tools in recent years. 2007) compared the five most used tools in France required by ISO 14001: IDEA, DIAGE, DIALECTE, DIALOGUE and INDIGO.
Similarity of ISO 14000 to other programs
Comparing ISO 14001 and Responsible Care
Comparing ISO 14001 and CERES principles
Yet, when one compares the ISO 14001 standard with the CERES principles, obvious differences of emphasis quickly become apparent. The CERES principles, on the other hand, recognize the importance of management and 'principles' which therefore differentiate it from ISO 14001.
Comparing ISO 14001 and Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)
Furthermore, while EMAS requires the company to disclose its policies, programs and EMS system, ISO 14001 only requires that the EP be available to the public. The EMS requirements in EMAS require the preparation of an environmental effects register in accordance with ISO 14001 (Lamprecht, 1996).
Comparing ISO 9000 and ISO 14000
EMAS requires an extensive initial environmental review as part of the EMS, while this is not specifically required in ISO 14001, but is suggested in Annex A.3.1 of ISO 14001. The equivalent of these standards in ISO 14001 is known as document specific because it provides specifications for an EMS.
Applications of ISO 14000
Applications to the food industry
Applications to the chemical companies
Applications to forestry and agriculture
Seven sustainability teams are currently working to develop methods, processes and systems that integrate sustainable development into Monsanto's operations. Increasingly, business leaders around the world are recognizing the importance of developing an environmental strategy that supports sustainable development and integrates stakeholder issues, concerns and demands.
ISO 14000 and banks
The Monsanto Corporation is one of the world's largest producers of chemicals and pesticides for agricultural and domestic use. Monsanto recently stated that sustainable development is the company's fundamental business strategy, as it is the only way to ensure the long-term continuity of the company's business.
ISO 14000 and governments/education
ISO 14001 implementation
Introduction
Initial assessment and definition of purpose
Policy preparation
Policy making should start at the early stages of the process and should be continuously improved. A rough draft of the policy should be widely circulated for improvements and input from as many employees as possible.
Objectives and targets
The role of the policy is to address impacts and regulations in a broad sense and should be supported by senior management and communicated to all employees and the public. Although the policy is only roughed out at this point, it will at least provide overall direction to the process when specifically needed.
EMS documentation and utilization of existing documents and resources
Creating, using and maintaining written documentation and allowing an assessment of current conditions and procedures and evaluation of current performance is essential to the effectiveness of EMS implementation (Tansey and Worsley, 1995). Many EMSs often consist of unwritten procedures and standards, thus leading to confusion, lack of direction, and negative environmental impacts.
Implementation of programs
Ongoing auditing, management reviews, correction and follow-up
Certification
Continual improvement
ISO 14010 – Environmental auditing
Objectives or purposes of an environmental audit – general
ISO 14001 certification criteria
Improve regulatory compliance
Policies and objectives
Save money
Continuous environmental improvement
Spot potential problems
EMS implementation and maintenance
Choosing a supplier
Care must be taken to ensure that the entire supply chain, from raw materials to finished products, does not burden the environment.
Quality control of the sampling and measurement process
Contractual requirements
Improving public perception
Improvement of management and employee awareness
Costs of implementation
Brief presentation of new ISO 14001:2004
Primarily, findings that are exclusively against ISO requirements will be raised to category three findings (comments). Details (standard sections, main changes, requirements, EMS, financial impact and compliance with ISO 9001) of the ISO changes are given in Table 2.6.
Overview of case studies reported on implementation of ISO 14001
The revised standard requires that: ● Organizations must also keep records 'Independence can. selected auditors are competent from audits and determination of this must be demonstrated by ensuring objectivity and including in the procedure the freedom of impartial audit ● Auditor's responsibility for impartiality and objectivity. the audit program is maintained – it must be demonstrated that the activity is. updated if planned revisions are revised'; This is. not carried out as specifically planned. A survey of the implementation status of environmental management systems in US colleges and universities.
The concept of LCA
The assessment includes the entire life cycle of the product, process or activity, which includes extraction and processing of raw materials;. ISO 14041 is entitled 'Life cycle assessment – Objectives and Definition/Scope and Inventory Analysis' and is intended to describe the special requirements and guidelines for the preparation, execution and critical review of the life cycle inventory analysis.
The structure of LCA
This phase of LCA aims to evaluate the importance of potential environmental impacts using the results of the life cycle inventory analysis (Haklik, 1998). 1 Selection of the impact categories of interest, the indicators per impact category and the underlying models (a procedure that is also considered in the initial aim and scope phase of an LCA).
LCA case studies reported
The calculation is based on the type of vehicle and the average speed of the vehicle (Koroneos et al., 2005). A new indicator aimed at characterizing the renewability of (bio)energy sources is proposed – the energy renewable efficiency (ERenEf).
LCA in the future
Comparison of intensive, extensive and organic grassland in southern Germany with process life cycle assessment. The environmental risk index depends not only on the probability, but also on the environmental value of the considered parameter.
Topics/categories covered under EU legislation
General provisions
1 the quality of the environment 2 the pressure on the environment 3 the sensitivity of the environment. About 50% of the Member States explicitly state that the Commission's guidelines are used.
Sustainable development
The Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions "Towards a global partnership for sustainable development" (COM(2002) 82 final – not published in the Official Journal) presents a series of actions to contribute to sustainable global development. A summary of EU legislation related to sustainable development – integration of environmental policies is given in table 4.7.
Climate change
Lignite, peat, brown coal and oil shale are also excluded from the scope of the communication. 3 implementation of the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol, greenhouse gas inventories, national systems and registers of the Community and its member states, and relevant procedures under the Kyoto Protocol.
Waste management
Furthermore, a Community emissions trading system would lead to a single price for allowances traded by companies, which would be compatible with the smooth functioning of the internal market. Some representative points and comments (amendments, repeals) of EU directives, messages, conclusions and the Green Paper on climate change are given in Table 4.8.
