As people become more aware that the world's natural resources are finite, companies and communities are being pressured to improve their environmental performance, to protect natural resources for future generations and maintain biological diversity in ecosystems. New Zealand Steel became certified to ISO14001 in 2003, and auditing by accredited external auditors will be ongoing.
An Environmental Management System (EMS) provides a company with a structured process to improve its environmental performance. This in turn has many benefits for the environment, the community and the company's reputation as a responsible commercial organisation. It is important for a company such as New Zealand Steel, which uses many natural resources, to have a formal EMS to control and minimise the environmental effect of its activities. Many companies also find that establishing an EMS and thinking about their processes and products, opens doors to improvements that reduce costs. New Zealand Steel's EMS was established in 1990 when it launched an Environmental Policy. Since then, the company has been implementing components of the EMS, including incorporating controls and monitoring programmes already established before 1990. The emphasis of all Environmental Management Systems is on continual review and improvement.
Key Components of New Zealand Steel's EMS Include:
- A High Level Commitment: The company has stipulated in its Environmental Policy that it is committed to continuous improvement in environmental performance. The policy provides direction for the development of objectives and targets.
- Involving the Whole Company: The company has established an organisational structure involving all levels of staff through which it implements its environmental policy and improvement objectives. Managers are responsible for ensuring that management systems and procedures are in place and maintained to provide consistent compliance with environmental legislation and regulation. The managers are also required to develop and implement plans for continuous improvement of environmental performance. All company employees are encouraged to take responsibility in enhancing environmental performance, even if it is an action as small as turning off a running hose.
- Assessing Environmental Effects: A full assessment of the environmental effects of each of the Company's operations has been undertaken in the past. Emissions and discharges are also monitored regularly to ensure continued compliance with resource consent conditions.
- Setting Objectives and Targets: Performance targets have been set by the Company and are continually reviewed and often made more stringent. Many targets set by New Zealand Steel assist in reducing waste and improving energy efficiency.
- Operational Control: To ensure compliance with environmental conditions - set in the resource consents - production personnel develop operating procedures which outline how certain processes operate. There are also standards which apply to each Company site for management of wastes and hazardous substances.
- Keeping Records: Records are maintained of all environmental monitoring results and any special environmental studies conducted periodically.
- Partnership with the Community: An important aspect of the programme is the creation of a community Environmental Committee in 1970. The Committee is made up of representatives from local grower organisations, territorial authorities, the Health Board and senior company managers. The committee meets regularly to review the company's environmental performance and to discuss environmental issues arising from the Glenbrook operations.
