ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR SOLID WASTE FACILITIES:A SMART MOVETHE METRO WASTE AUTHORITY EXPERIENCE

摘要

Metro Waste Authorityrns (MWA) interest in an Environmental Management System (EMS) is one of historical perspectivernand future strategic direction. Historically, MWA strived to go above and beyond regulations when it came to protectingrnthe environment at the Metro Park East (MPE) landfill and its Regional Collection Center (RCC) for household hazardousrnwaste. But as a future strategy, MWArns goal was to put in place a formal system to continually improve its environmentalrnperformance. When the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its Third Environmental ManagementrnSystem (EMS) Initiative for Public Entities in 2003, MWA was eager to take advantage of the assistance program. Thisrnarticle examines MWArns drivers for implementing an ISO 14001-based EMS, the process employed, resources needed,rnbenefits realized, lessons learned, and our continuing journey toward certification.