Environmental Management » Environmental Issues http://www.e-p-o.org Environmental Management Articles at EPO Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:02:24 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Environmental Issues Effected by Hazardous Waste http://www.e-p-o.org/environmental-issues-effected-by-hazardous-waste http://www.e-p-o.org/environmental-issues-effected-by-hazardous-waste#comments Sun, 07 Feb 2010 12:48:08 +0000 admin http://www.e-p-o.org/?p=246

It’s a secret to no one that hazardous wastes can become a huge problem if not dealt with correctly. By definition, hazardous wastes pose a substantial or potential threat to public health or the environment. In this way, environmental issues effected by hazardous waste are intrinsically linked to professional and expert management of the waste. This article is going to talk about why its so important to manage toxic wastes correctly.

Decades ago, large multinational corporations didn’t give much thought into managing their hazardous wastes. They would just go wherever the resources they needed to extract were located in, dump their toxic wastes, pickup and go to the next extraction site. This worked for them pretty good at the beginning, but as the effects of hazardous waste in the environment started to show up, the world realized something was wrong. Environmental issues effected by hazardous waste vary from causing strange diseases on people and animals to killing them and everything around them. This becomes an extremely difficult, expensive, and dangerous scene to clean up. Also, have you heard about global warming? Well, hazardous waste materials also play their role in this phenomenon.

But if you thought only large companies are the ones responsible for the environmental issues effected by hazardous waste, think again. There are a lot of household hazardous waste by normal people produced in their every day life. This are products that are found right there! In your kitchen, living room, garage… Things like paint, thermometers, aerosols, batteries and even computers can create environmental issues effected by hazardous waste if not managed correctly.

This is no joke, and the international community as well as each sovereign government have created special restrictions when it comes to handling dangerous waste. For example, the US created the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act as a requirement for managing, handling and transporting waste. Also the United States Environmental Protection Agency seeks to regulate all aspects of hazardous waste, including: treatment, storage and disposal of.

I guess you can see know why it’s very important to dispose of dangerous waste the right way. If not, you have double repercussions coming to you. The first by means of environmental issues effected by hazardous waste, which in the end mean less money for companies and worse living conditions for everyone, and the second by federal crimes. This goes for all countries, not just the United States.

]]> http://www.e-p-o.org/environmental-issues-effected-by-hazardous-waste/feed 0 Environmental Sustainability – Integrating Development with Conservation http://www.e-p-o.org/environmental-sustainability-%e2%80%93-integrating-development-with-conservation http://www.e-p-o.org/environmental-sustainability-%e2%80%93-integrating-development-with-conservation#comments Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:34:28 +0000 admin http://www.e-p-o.org/environmental-sustainability-%e2%80%93-integrating-development-with-conservation With more and more people addressing climate change and future environmental concerns, it has become crucial for companies to incorporate sustainability policies. Nobody can deny the significance of balanced environmental and social aspects. By embracing environmental sustainability, companies can maintain qualities highly valued in the physical environment. It can be of great help in creating a balance between the protection of natural systems and economic development.

Benefits of environmental sustainability vary from one group to another. As far as consumers are concerned, this concept can help in reducing negative environmental impacts within the society. It will not only enhance public health but also make people more aware of serious environmental issues. At the same time, organizations can also reap tremendous benefits through environmental sustainability. This concept can not only help them fulfill statutory obligations but it can also prove effective in recognizing potential health risks.

Almost every business organization needs to adopt sustainability strategies in order to protect the environment. It should include reduction in the usage of physical resources and selection of renewable resources. If an organization manages to do good work by adopting the modern approach of recycling everything and redesigning products to reduce production of toxic materials, it can enjoy a strong standing in the market. This concept brings along several business benefits that can be implemented to enhance the organization’s image.

In the last few years, environment has become a key issue for countries all around the globe. Due to strict pollution targets, companies dealing in environmental solutions have witnessed the emergence of several new opportunities. In a larger perspective, environmental sustainability can be considered an effective base for sustainable development. Apart from profit making, companies also need to take climate change, environmental impacts and inputs into consideration for sustained growth. It is essential to encourage more companies to do good work and improving the quality of life for people all over the world. They need to follow the concept of meeting their present needs without compromising on the needs of the coming generations.  This is possible only when companies integrate conservation with development.




By: Kevin Long

]]> http://www.e-p-o.org/environmental-sustainability-%e2%80%93-integrating-development-with-conservation/feed 1 Environmental Issues http://www.e-p-o.org/environmental-issues http://www.e-p-o.org/environmental-issues#comments Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:05:03 +0000 admin http://www.e-p-o.org/environmental-issues Our world today is being affected by a large variety of environmental problems. Globalization has managed to successfully connect people from different countries but this along with the earth’s natural processes has also managed to convert many small local problems into international issues. As such, today there is not a single society that is not being affected by the consequences of these environmental problems.

However, due to the untiring efforts of many institutions and individuals, there has also been growing awareness of these problems. There is a strong desire in an ever-growing number of people to contribute towards the environmental movement and in the movement to make the earth green. Despite this, the gap between the number of people who are aware of the environmental issues and the number of people actively doing something about it in their lives is enormous.

There are two main causes for this – a busy lifestyle that makes it very difficult for an individual to take time out and keep himself informed of the ways in which he could be helping to make the earth green. The second cause relates to the lack of easy-to-find and easy-to-follow practical suggestions that an individual can use. Small wonder then, that even well-meaning, environment friendly citizens of the world are not sure, as to how they could make any contribution towards protecting the environment.

Our world and our lives are getting increasingly busy these days and when it comes to managing that balance between work life and home life, it is not surprising that even a true eco-minded person will not be able to follow through on many environment friendly actions. Information about the significant role that each person has to play when it comes to making the earth green or what kind of earth-friendly solutions one can adopt is not easily available. And even when it is available, it is always in the terms of more abstract solutions rather than a set of simple steps that an individual or family or even a community can follow.

Let’s make a more diligent attempt to make it easier for people to take earth-friendly steps in their everyday lives. While there are many books written about the environment, its problems and possible solutions, there are not many that suggest practical doable solutions to individuals or families. We need to motivate environment conscious people to actually start practicing green living. With the help of constructive tips and topical resources, we may encourage individuals, families and communities to start taking earth-friendly steps.

At first, we should raise awareness of the various environmental problems, how our actions can end up causing serious harm to the environment and in very simple terms explain how each one of us can make a difference. The emphasis should not only be on awareness of issues but on getting people motivated enough and providing them the help needed to start taking action. Towards this end, it lists practical solutions that one can implement in everyday life, without having to spend too much time or putting in too much effort.

So if you have been an environment enthusiast but have not followed through on your good intentions because you did not have the time, or thought it was too difficult or simply because you did not know how, here is a fresh chance to get motivated about helping our environment, our fellow man, and ourselves!

Scott Wells writes for http://AllThingsPondered.com/2092 where you can learn about environmental issues and what you can do to personally make things better.




By: Scott Wells

]]> http://www.e-p-o.org/environmental-issues/feed 0 Environmental Site Assessment – Why Do You Need It http://www.e-p-o.org/environmental-site-assessment-%e2%80%93-why-do-you-need-it http://www.e-p-o.org/environmental-site-assessment-%e2%80%93-why-do-you-need-it#comments Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:47:44 +0000 admin http://www.e-p-o.org/environmental-site-assessment-%e2%80%93-why-do-you-need-it In the movie Erin Brockovich, the character of Julia Roberts was neck-deep in investigation about the suspicious activities of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, which led to the eventual poisoning and death of the residents nearby the area. After going through a series of unproductive meetings among lawyers, residents and owners the company was soon charged of buying a piece of land that was already contaminated. So what does the movie have to do with you, you ask?  It tells you that you can avoid this situation by getting an Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) for your subject property.

Of course, nobody wants his company to undergo the same mishaps as seen in the movie.  Court trials are time consuming and litigation lawyers charge too expensively that you just want to settle things under the table. Plus a suspicious site would lessen its credibility and drive people away from it.

Naturally, you would want to retain the value of your property and not get into any kind of legal trouble of any sort. You can do this through Environmental Site Assessment. Some of you, like me, are probably still wondering what this program can do for your company. Through Phase 1 ESA, you can rest assured that your property is free from potential environmental liabilities like toxicity or contamination. Professional consultants will determine whether the land you own or are planning to buy is a potential environmental threat because, or what are better known as “brownfield sites”.  

In the 1970s, a similar study was done in the United States to inspect commercial properties and to test them whether they are potentially hazardous to health. Now, the US has stricter monitoring than ever when it comes to environmental issues. Before you could actually have an acquisition or a management buy-out, you need to abide first by the environmental due diligence—a kind of investigation which identifies environmental hazards. It will give you details on how a former or a current operation poses a potential risk for your employees and nearby residents.  

The inspection will tell you in detail the history of the chosen property, how the former operations contributed to possible environmental hazards, and how you could verify legal compliance from regulation authorities.

Tests are conducted by industrial hygiene consultants. These professionals see to it that every nook and cranny of your would-be land acquisition is scrutinized, looking for loopholes such that lead to toxicological risks. A property condition assessment is done to check whether if the health and safety requirements mandated by the State are met.  Industrial hygiene consultants perform samplings and assessments, all of which are then turned over to an accredited laboratory for further evaluation. They also see to it that investigations, which include an expert witness testimony and an assessment of workers compensations claims, are done in a discreet and professional manner.

Aside from industrial hygiene consultants, you may also seek help from other companies on environmental engineering services. The services included on this one are feasibility studies, construction oversight, waste management consultation and other facility design services. You can address the underlying issues of pollution or contamination through environmental remediation. Avoid getting into grave legal issues on environmental safety by having your company go through Environmental Site Assessment.




By: Lis Ran

]]> http://www.e-p-o.org/environmental-site-assessment-%e2%80%93-why-do-you-need-it/feed 0 Outsourcing Your Managed Hosting: What Should You Consider? http://www.e-p-o.org/outsourcing-your-managed-hosting-what-should-you-consider http://www.e-p-o.org/outsourcing-your-managed-hosting-what-should-you-consider#comments Sun, 11 Oct 2009 18:50:42 +0000 admin http://www.e-p-o.org/outsourcing-your-managed-hosting-what-should-you-consider It is true that many companies fall into a trap when they decide to try to manage their own hosting. They may try to use employees already on staff and find that these employees are spending all of their time with the managed hosting instead of their regular duties. Then again, the business may have to hire additional employees. This means that more wages have to be paid. So here we have two situations that shows work being sacrificed in one area and the business having to pay out more money to pay the new salaries. How can this be avoided?

This is the point where the business may consider outsourcing their managed hosting. This is where you can make sure your employees are doing the job that they are hired to do and the company you are outsourcing to may not be quite as expensive as having to hire one or more full-time employees to manage your hosting.

Here are some things to consider:

• Consider the fact that by outsourcing your managed hosting, the outsource supplier is the one who will be carrying the risks. This means that they are going to do all that they can to make sure everything stays up and running and that everything is secure.

• Your company does not have to fit the bill for equipment costs if you run servers on your own property. You are using the servers of the IT Company that you hire to take care of your managed hosting. This is another area in which you can save money.

• Your company can stay up on the most up-to-date technology. The company you have outsourced to relies on staying up with the latest technology, which means that your business will follow in that respect.

• Since environmental issues are taking shape this day and age, many IT companies are employing practices that are more favorable to the environment.

• Know that they will do all they can to keep everything up and running. If you have ever noticed, the press covers huge outages and that can hurt a reputation. Most of all, it can hurt the IT Company’s reputation if the problem is traced back to them. Chances are they are managing the managed hosting of more than one company and that can cause a huge problem. These IT Companies employ methods that will keep them up and running even if the world around them is not.

As you can see, there are some things to consider when outsourcing your managed hosting. Smaller businesses may have to evaluate these items more thoroughly because outsourcing may be a big price to pay for them. Larger businesses, on the other hand, may have never imagined that they would fully outsource their managed hosting and other IT operations. However, the more affordable and practical it becomes, the more businesses are outsourcing such operations so that they can keep their minds on the task at hand and not worry about the technical aspect of it. That is why there are so many businesses that are finding success. They rely on the security of an IT outsource company to take care of their websites and other technical aspects so that they can focus on wooing their customers and keeping the money coming in faster than ever.

In the end, you end up with an efficient company that is at the top of their game. At that point, outsourcing their managed hosting may seem like a drop in the bucket compared to what it used to be. That makes looking at outsourced managed hosting something to consider.




By: Amy Nutt

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