MANY small businesses are baffled by what an environmental policy is; let alone why they would need one. They might have heard through Business Link, the Federation of Small Businesses, procurement departments or other such means that it is recommended that all businesses have a written environmental policy but be wondering why?
There are a number of benefits to having an environmental policy including:
- Assuring customers of your commitment to environmental management (environment here means nature and natural resources both local and global)
- Maintaining good public/community relations
- Meeting public sector and large corporate procurement requirements
So what is an environmental policy? It is a written statement outlining an organisation’s mission in relation to managing the environmental effects and aspects of its operations.
Businesses of all sectors and sizes should have and promote an environmental policy. For organisations intending to obtain certification to the international ISO 14000 standard the Environmental Policy is the cornerstone of the environmental management system.
It is something that is easy to write, you can do it yourself or employ a consultant. It shouldn’t take them more then a few hours to complete.
The Environmental Policy should clearly state the aims and objectives of an organisation with respect to its impact on the environment. It should be no longer then a sheet of A4, easy to read and understand, realistic, achievable and relevant. It should demonstrate commitment to making the policy work.
As a general rule the policy should contain statements on the following:
- A commitment to continuous improvement
- Recognition of compliance with relevant environmental legislation as a minimum level of performance
- The education and training of employees in environmental issues and the environmental effects of their activities
- The monitoring of progress and review of environmental performance on a regular basis
Additional issues relevant to your business may include:
- Transport
- Energy use
- Waste recycling and reuse
- Water use and management
- Use of biodegradable chemicals
- Minimising use of solvents
- Use of timber from sustainably managed forests (FSC certified)
- Noise and air pollution control
As long as you genuinely believe in reducing your impact on the environment this is something that is easy to put together and could help you access more market opportunities.
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