Why indeed! Environmental training and awareness are often somewhere near to the bottom of the pile when it comes to business priorities. An enduring myth is that taking a responsible environmental line is an expensive public relations exercise and little else.

Aside from legislative pressures, few companies investigate the potential for using an environmental management system to realise real fiscal benefits. An effective environmental management system [EMS] can dovetail very efficiently with existing quality systems [such as ISO 9000/2000], and health and safety systems [such as OSHAS 18001].

An ‘EMS’ can not only ease the legislative burden, but can help drive cost-savings across a variety of functions that might otherwise avoid system control, such as energy management [a great help when dealing with Climate Change Levy compliance costs], waste disposal, segregation and recycling [again, an important factor when complying with the Packaging Waste Regulations], chemical safety, utilities and raw materials management [assists with Kaizen, TPM, 6-Sigma principles etc], and so on.

An EMS can also be a useful tool when dealing with regulatory issues, such as local nuisance complaints [noise, offensive dust or odour, visual impact, transport and the like], and can improve the image that a company projects to local residents, shareholders / stakeholders, regulators, and the media.

Environmental management is also a key requirement that is frequently passed along a supply chain, many large companies require their suppliers to be in possession of an externally accredited environmental management system, usually ‘ISO 14001’; insurance and banking institutions actively encourage sound environmental management practice, and the lack of an accredited EMS can actually now be seen as a barrier to business.

Whilst cost IS a consideration in deciding on whether to pursue environmental management initiatives, if the system is developed with sound advice and training, then the set-up and training costs can easily be offset very quickly by savings derived from some of the areas we’ve mentioned.

Morpheus Environmental Training has a number of recommended training options designed specifically for those businesses who are working towards an improved environmental profile.

Please see the ‘Course Options’ page for further details.