Kagiso-Cowi
Hammar s dale Waste Minimi sation Club
Kagiso-COWI 8th Floor
Braalllfontein Centre 23 Jorissen Street Braamfontein 2001
Johannesburg
Tel (0 1 I) 403 -6319
Waste Minimisation Trainer's Manual
Envir"onmentnl Awnreness I. Overview of our environment
What is the environment? It is evclything - the air that wc breathe, the water we drink, the soil on which we grow our food, where we live, work and play. In the past, South Africans were encouraged 10 think
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the environment as the game parks, saving the rhino, and preserving the beautiful green areas of our land - the fact that Black South Africans paid the price for environmental degradation was conveniently ignored.Most landfill sites, including those handling hazardous and toxic waste, are situated near our homes in townships. Po\1uling - industries are also, as a rule, situated near former Black group areas. \Vorkers had minimal information and protection against environmental hazards, and many cases exist where workers have died from problems callsed in the workplace.
The hole in the ozone layer, which amongst other things, increases the risk of skin cancer; global-warming, which could lead to radical changes in the weather and nuclear waste, terrible in it's ability to create mutant babies, are some or the issues facing the planel today. These are not creations of countries far away - it is our actions, both at home and in the workplace, that caused these scenarios - and, in the end, it is us that will pay the full and horrible price, In suffering, illness and even death.
How are we responsible for alt this? Simple - by the way we live and work. If we drive unnecessarily, we waste energy, release toxic pollutants, and contribute to global warming ...
when we lIse electricity unnecessarily. we contribute to air pollution in Mpumalanga, and also to global warming .... using too mllch of the resources of the planet is the common factors in all environmental degradation.
2. Health & Safety
The health impacts of products and processes on workers Environmental threats III the workpJace
What impacts can participants identify that exist in their workplace?
3. Legal & policy
Implications for companies and directors
The new National Environmental ManagemeIll Act changes the ground mles for the environment in our countly in many ways. For example, should a company pollute, not only will it be held liable, but the directorls themselves could be held personally liable. they will also have to pay to clean up the pollution, and pay for all damage caused, including that done to human health. All example is Thor Chemicals, which imported mercury waste for local processing - this happened because our environmental legislation was less strict, if not non-existent, compared to the countries where that waste originated. This resulted in widespread toxic contamination, and also to the death of workers, with other health impacts.
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There will also be a new waste register, under the national waste management strategy, which includes all discharges and waste from any production facility, whether to air, waler or landfill. There are many more issues that will affect companies directly
Implications for workers
There are also many implications for workers too. These include the responsibility to avoid causing pollution as a first step. The Act also empowers workers to decide not 10 carry out a specific order, 011 the grounds that it could lead to pollution - the company may not act against such a worker
It is important to note that workers should be joining NGO's and CBO's that are concerned with environment, so that they may inform themselves, and be part of the solution. Many organisations are involved in handS-Oil work, and know many things abotlt the environment that we may not all be aware of
4. Financial
Impacts to company profits and viability
Waste is simply a product for which no use is found - it all costs the company, because what leaves the factory as waste was bought in at a price: so waste has more of an impact all the bottom line than just the cost of handling such waste. One company. through implementing sOllnd waste management principles, improved its profits by over R800 000 per annum!
And there are many more such examples,
Also, causing and handling less waste makes the company more efficient, and it will find it easier to comply with upcoming legislation.
Impacts on job security and job creation
Why should workers be concerned about waste and pollution? In the first instance, they are the frontline when pollution is caused, and their health could be seriously affected by such incidents. Secondly, if the company continues to generate more and morc waste, the local communities, which is generally where workers live, will also be negatively affected by the pollution.
If the company, on the other hand, minimises waste, then the health risks are also lessened, the company wastes less money in raw materials. and Olher costs, making it more viable, and thereby helping ensure il's profitability, which in turn, ensures Job security. We know ora company in Durban which is profitable only through the waste minimisation programme - without it. they would have to close their doors, with the loss of1l1any jobs.
Other companies did close their doors because the cost of handling waste. hazardous waste in particular. had risen dramatically. With the "polluter -pays" principle-, the cost of waste handling, will continue to rise.
One company thought there waste cost them R49 000 per year (the cost of disposing waste) after an analysis, and a few minor changes, they were able to save over R800 000 per year!
5. Labour issues
Rigllls and obligations
As discussed previollsly, the worker has the right flot to carry QUI Cl. task that could lead to pollution, or that which will constitute a risk - but workers are also obliged to avoid waste and pollution as well, so it makes sense to do the training that \vc have begun today.
Come uences of environlllental issues on labour issue in oeneral
For general knowledge, the issues surrounding waste and labour are far beyond that which was mentioned above - it also has global implications. This would include the right to a clean environment, as slated ill our constitution. but also issues such as Job security, economic sustainability, and Job creation are at Slake. For example, if we were able 10
design all the processes in this company so hat all waste could be a raw material for some other product. then we would not only ensure that the company remains viable, but would lcad to direct job creation, where such raw materials could be downstrccllll businesses, often suitable for small and medium enterprises.
\Vastc Minimisation
Waste minimisation is more than reducing the amount of waste that is carried away by waste contractors - it means a look at how we are working, the production process, all the inputs and outputs of the process, and re-examining production managemenl. The inputs we need to look at are:
• Raw materials
• Packaging
• Energy
• Water
• Consllll1ables
• Product design and manufacture
• Emissions to air
• Waste water
• Solid and liquid waste The advantages are many:
• Environmental improvement
• Cost savings
• Complying with legislation
• Reduction of r-isk
• Competitive advantage
To achieve waste minimisation, we need to look al people' systems and technology. This training is a beginning. It is also important to carry out a waste audit. to see what you are actually dealing with. This will lead to:
• Understanding what the magnitude orthe problem is
• Being able to identify options, beginning with low-cost and no cost.
• Implementatiol1
• Plans for improvement
• Develop control systems Continue data collection
- Check improvements on an on-going basis
Analyse new data
Continuous improvement
Waste Minimisation Ideas
Impol'tallce of lugKil1g SI/ch ideas
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Process - develop clear methodology of generating, logging, and implementing ideas. Suggest ideas are logged on a designed form, with copies to relevant personnel
Following lip such ideas
Clear lines of communication and responsibility. Shop floor to management decision makers identified, and made accountable
Implelllellfillg sI/ch ideas
Laid out procedure for trial and implementation, before and after measurements are taken. Cost accounting applied to be one orlhe methods of evaluation and chasing progress.
Feedback 011 idem'
Regular feedback process and evaluation - discllssion with all role-players Re-evaluCltion qf original idea
Monitor level of success and value to company
Communication
The imponance of cOllllllunication
Methodologies for improving communications
Methodologies for developing communication channels
General