Introduction
Business organizations operate in the society and must make sure that its operations preserve the society to make its operation sustainable. While some Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) undertakings may prove difficult, or even expensive for an organization to engage in, some activities are both simple and cheaper (Vissilis & Antonis, 2011). A business organization can be responsible to the society through simple actions like recycling waste materials or taking care of its hazardous waste materials.
There is no doubt that waste management, especially the hazardous waste management, is an important part of the global cleanliness and sustainability drive. Companies that produce hazardous waste must always take responsibility by ensuring that all the wastes are recycled or managed in a way that does not put the lives of the employees and the public at risk. In many jurisdictions, it is the government prerogative to ensure that companies follow the rules and establish proper hazardous waste management (LeBlank, 2017). This paper seeks to discuss the importance of hazardous waste management, both from an organization’s perspective and the society’s perspective. The paper also seeks to highlight the strategic approaches that can be used by business organizations to manage their hazardous wastes.
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Importance of Hazardous Waste Management
Hazardous waste management is an important process for any organization that believe sin sustainability and having a healthy environment. Certain hazardous waste materials can cause serious public health effect and negative impacts to the environment when not handled properly (Vissilis & Antonis, 2011). In certain extreme situations, the hazardous materials may get into the water supply, putting the lives of the members of the public at risk.
Hazardous waste materials and Environmental Health
The hazardous wastes can have serious impacts on the waters and soil when not properly handled. This can in turn affect both the environment and human health if no proper intervention mechanism is put in place (LeBlank, 2017). Proper disposal of hazardous wastes involves the use of special liners to ensure that the wastes do not mix with the piped water system.
Safety to Employees
Companies that produce hazardous waste have a duty to protect their employees from the possible harm that may come from such wastes. When not handled properly, employees may suffer spillages, explosions, reactions and fires due to some of the hazardous waste materials. Sometimes injuries and death of employees may result from a practice of not complying with the federal and state regulations.
Organizational Efficiencies
Hazardous wastes can cause serious mess in an organization when not handled properly. Some hazardous materials may interfere with industrial process, hence slowing down the production of new products. Similarly, dealing with accumulated hazardous wastes can be a difficult that can overwhelm the organization.
Compliance with government regulations
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the federal body that is mandated with regulating hazardous waste management by companies. Companies must make sure that they comply with all the federal and state laws regarding waste management and recycling. Any business organization that fails to comply with the existing laws is likely to fail the inspections by EPA. Failed inspections lead to disruption of regular activities and can also affect the company’s reputation and business. Companies that consistently fail the regular inspections risk having operational failures that may culminate into shutdown.
Strategic Approaches to handle Hazardous Waste Management
There is no doubt that proper hazardous waste management is in the interest of both business owners and citizens alike (LeBlank, 2017). Since the production of hazardous wastes is inevitable, business organizations must come up with strategies to ensure the waste materials they produce do not cause harm to the environment and to the members of the public.
Recycling
Recycling is one of the best strategies that can be used by business organizations to reduce the amount of hazardous wastes getting into the environment (Triassi, Alfano, & Illario, 2015). Waste materials such as used oils, et cetera, can be recycled to be part of the raw materials used in the production process. The recycling strategy is important because it not only reduces the negative impacts on the environment, but also saves companies a lot of money. BY recycling wastes into the production process, companies are able to save large sums of money that would otherwise be used to acquire the raw materials.
Use the local waste collection facilities
In the United States, there are many companies that specialize in helping companies get rid of their hazardous waste materials. This is a cheaper option for companies that cannot afford to build their own recycling plants.
Incineration
Incineration is one of the most important strategies used in getting rid of toxic materials produced from industrial productions. Toxic materials can easily be destroyed by burning them at extremely high temperatures in special incineration facilities. The problem with incineration, however, is that it can lead to air pollution if the fumes are not directed properly.
Conclusion
Sustainability in modern business world involves the use of renewable resources and proper disposal of waste materials to protect the environment. A company that produces hazardous waste materials must recycle or have proper waste management strategies, both as a way of complying with the government regulations, protecting the company’s image and contributing towards better society through corporate social responsibility (Triassi, Alfano, & Illario, 2015).
References
LeBlanc, R. (2017). How Recycling Can Boost Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The Balance.
Triassi, M., Alfano, R., Illario, M., et al. (2015). Environmental Pollution from Illegal Waste Disposal and Health Effects: A Review on the “Triangle of Death.” International Journal of Respiratory Public Health, 12(2): 1216-1236.
Vassilis, J., & Antonis, Z. (2011). Industrial hazardous waste in the framework of EU and international legislation. Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, 22(5): 566-580
