Report 6 - Executive Summary
Guidelines for Source Control Methods
The Auckland Regional Council's Environmental Operations Plan is a
comprehensive kit, which is subtitled "Do-it-yourself environmental checklists
for a clean, safe and profitable business". It provides companies with a
systematic approach to achieving environmental compliance. The kit therefore
provides guidelines for source control methods through the provision of cleaner
production processes and disposal options.
Included in the kits is an Environmental Operations Plan booklet; a tabulated
Checklist, which is divided into eight sections - drains, site design, good
housekeeping, spills, wastes, cleaner production, air, soil contamination and
environmental management; and a series of environmental posters, including an
action plan wall planner and a "drains to sea" stencil for marking drains.
The booklet shows companies how to achieve environmental compliance through
cleaner production, good housekeeping practices and better site design. It has a
section on companies that have been prosecuted for non-compliance, the amount of
money companies can expect to save as a result of adopting an environmental
programme and how to carry out an environmental audit.
Environmental law is explained in relation to the Auckland Regional Council's
(ARC) role with regard to regulating and enforcing pollution control. One of
functions of the ARC is to ensure that the quality of air, water, and soil
sustains both natural ecosystems and human uses. Relevant excerpts from the
Resource Management Act are provided.
The causes of major pollution events are given in summarised form and show
that the major cause of pollution is wash water discharges.
Resource Consents are covered under three headings - When you need a consent;
and whether you need it from the ARC; and/or from a city or district council.
Notes to accompany the Checklists are provided in the booklet, and cover such
basic facts as the difference between stormwater pipes and sanitary sewers.
Clear descriptions are given as to how to draw up a drainage plan, or modify an
existing one. Mock up plans are provided for a variety sites.
As stormwater runoff is considered one of the biggest environmental issues
facing the Auckland region, there is information on stormwater protection, such
as sand filter systems, sediment ponds, bunds, roofing decanting areas and
monitoring underground storage tanks.
Both bad housekeeping and good housekeeping practices are outlined. Emphasis
is put on keeping sites tidy. It is noted that if all companies kept all
surfaces that rain lands on clean and tidy, 80% of Auckland's water pollution
would vanish overnight.
The section on containing and cleaning up after spills also includes
assessing and reducing the risks, writing incident reports and assembling a
spill kit.
The wastes section covers the Renew Waste Exchange information service,
measuring the cost of wastes, reducing waste, and re-using and recycling waste.
Cleaner production focuses on the benefits an audit can bring to companies,
both in terms of saving money and reducing the impact on the environment. This
section also includes prioritising all the necessary actions to achieve the
benefits of cleaner production.
The major sources of air pollution are given as cars, households (e.g. fires)
and factories. Part A, B and C processes are outlined (most to least noxious),
along with information on chimneystacks, checking air pollution control
equipment, and accidental air discharges.
Soil Contamination covers how sites get contaminated and why that is a
problem. Detail on assessing the risk of soil contamination (including from
historical practices) is contained in the soil contamination checklist.
The aim of the Checklists is to enable companies to comply with the law by
assessing their own environmental impacts, eliminating both actual sources and
potential sources of pollution and through learning about some of the benefits
of good environmental management. Any company with chemical or bulk materials -
including food and beverages - is considered to be at risk of causing pollution,
unless they have good environmental operating systems in place.
The checklists cover eight key aspects of operations that can potentially
harm the environment, and these show how a small number of simple improvements
can dramatically reduce adverse environmental effects with very positive results
on a company's bottom line. They include such things as creating an inspection
and maintenance schedule, preparing a holiday checklist, assessing and reducing
risk, evaluating training needs, and writing incident reports. A write-on action
list to help make sites pollution and liability free is also included along with
a milestones checklist for ensuring that topics have been completed.
The support material includes a Fish Stencil for marking drains; three
posters, which cover the topics of preventing pollution and the safe disposal of
waste; and an Environmental Operations Plan Action Wall Planner.
Report 6 - Full Version
Guidelines for Source Control Methods
For a copy of this report or any further information please
contact us.
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