Identifying Environmental Aspects EPA Regions 9 & 10 and The Federal Network for Sustainability

2 Objectives After this discussion, you should be able to: Define an environmental aspect List the steps in preparing an aspects register

3 Overview Definition Examples Building an Aspects Register

4 Definition An environmental aspect is the part of an activity, product, or service that interacts with the environment. An aspect can be thought of as the actual or potential “cause” of an environmental impact. Aspects can be regulated or unregulated.

5 Environmental Aspects Vehicles emit exhaust Water leaks from distribution system Fueling spills occur Containers not closed Noise from aircraft engine run-up testing Lights and computers left on at night Copier paper bleached with chlorine Bicycles don’t emit exhaust

6 More Examples Activity, Product, or Service Flying aircraft Visitor services Environmental Aspect Jet fuel consumption Jet fuel storage Noise generation Gasoline consumption Electricity consumption Solid waste generation Water consumption Waste water generation

7 Examples Activity, Product, or Service Vehicle maintenance Environmental Aspect Hazardous waste generation Gasoline consumption Noise generation Electricity consumption Solid waste generation Water consumption Waste water generation Release of volatiles

8 Examples Activity, Product, or Service Souvenirs in gift shop Cafeteria food service Environmental Aspect Packaging Use of raw materials Fuel consumption for transport Solid waste generation Food waste generation Electricity consumption Water consumption Waste water generation Use of ammonia in refrigeration equipment

9 Examples Activity, Product, or Service Office work Environmental Aspect Electricity consumption Water consumption Waste water generation Use of ozone depleting substances in air cooling units Solid waste generation Heavy metals in computers

10 Examples Activity, Product, or Service Cleaning offices Playing field upkeep (golf course, softball field, parade ground) Environmental Aspect Hazardous material usage Electricity consumption Solid waste generation Water consumption Waste water generation Water consumption Waste water generation Pesticide usage Gasoline consumption Grass clipping generation

11 Aspects and the EMS When first developing your EMS, do a comprehensive aspects analysis. ISO requires organizations to: develop procedures to identify environmental aspects keep register of aspects up-to-date.

12 Building an Aspects Register Review gap analysis Assemble list of activities, products, and services Characterize activities, products, and services List aspects Quantify aspects if possible

13 Review Gap Analysis Facility walk-through MSDSs Environmental management plans Staff interviews

14 List of Activities, Products, and Services Public Affairs office Commercial activities studies GPRA analysis Air Force “compliance site inventories” Real property list NEPA reviews Transportation studies Match list with “fenceline”

15 Characterize Activities, Products, and Services Process flow diagrams Interviews with supervisors, managers Hazardous material inventories Hazardous waste records Records from emergency planning, accident reports, emergency incidents Water and energy consumption records

16 List Aspects Determine number of distinct aspects Don’t forget about transportation and construction Sort and organize aspects, for example: –Releases to air –Water consumption, pollution –Land contamination –Use of raw materials, natural resources –Other local environmental, community issues

17 Quantify Aspects Use data from gap analysis or aspect identification Collect additional data if available Use consistent units Document sources of data

18 Summary Identification of environmental aspects is a key part of an EMS Aspects arise from activities, products, and services An EMS includes procedures for aspect identification and update