Environmental Management System
Definition and components of Environmental Management System.
This refers to recurrent business cycle which entails planning, instigating, reviewing and refining ways that a company undertakes so as to develop its environmental responsibilities as well as the environmental performance. The components include: environmental policy that ensures there is compliance of environmental policies and requirements and helps in identification of environmental impacts and processes. Continuous evaluation and improvement that enables an organization conduct and document environmental audits based on the performance of the company. Training, awareness and competence which entails staff training on pollution prevention methods also staff whose roles affect meeting the required goals. Operational control that entails the establishment of proper procedures to ensure that the correct process of waste management is adhered to. Moreover, development of simple procedures in regulating and reporting on the impacts of processes and products.
Structure, responsibility and resources to ensure that the company has the staff and resources to meet the goals as well as ensuring the managers are responsible for the environmental performance of their department. Environmental Requirements and voluntary initiatives that entails the members of staff understanding their roles and obligations in adhering to the environmental policies. It also involves identifying programs that encourage prevention of pollution and also the management and production practices that hinder the company’s capability to abide by the required environmental standards (Hsiao et al., 2014). Organization decision making and planning that involves using life cycle analysis in identifying the products’ impacts on the environment and also employee empowerment to enable them make improvements on pollution prevention mechanisms that do not need a lot of resources.
Current Environmental Management practises
The existing management practises by the budget hotels include the outer surrounding of the hotel is covered with flower and other ornamental plants that are regularly watered to keep the environment green and fresh. The hotels contain underground drains that prevents accumulation of water in the exterior sections that includes gardens and in yards. They make use of energy saving bulbs and appliances resulting to conservation of power eventually resulting to low power invoices. Furthermore, they make use of alternative sources of energy such as liquefied gas because it is relatively cheaper for preparing meals. They don’t make use of solar water heating systems due to the fact that they are expensive and it is not viewed as long term investment.
Challenges in implementation of Environmental Management System.
Costs which may considerably vary ranging from the cost of training of the members of staff to the implementation of the system. This is because the employees will spend much time and effort in learning about and implementation of the new management system (Chan, 2011). The company therefore needs to evaluate the costs associated with training of staff and the environmental impact analysis. Staff and management resistance which may occur in the event that the environmental management system may be deemed unnecessary. This may be as a result of employees not appreciating the process of implementation. Therefore, explanation of basic aims and benefits should be done early.
Political and regulatory pressure which may be as a result of government bodies that will may exercise their coercive powers during the implementation (Massoud et al., 2010). This involves the regulatory authority threatening to impede the company’s operations as well as political pressure referring to the level of political support for more strict regulations. The environmental management system might prove to be cumbersome and challenging. An environmental management system is system approach that requires thorough assessment in order to work properly. Medium sized companies lack enough resources and management to be used in pursuing formal management review processes. Therefore, the implementation of the system may fail.
Benefits of implementing the management system.
Enhancement of the regulatory compliance. The running of environmental management system assists in ensuring that the ecological legitimate duties are achieved and certainly supervised regularly. Improved public image whereby through implementation of the management system, the company reduces the environmental hazards as well as preservation of natural resources hereby creating an environmentally friendly image for the different stakeholders in the sector. This will result to enhancing customer trust and also staff morale.
Improve management efficiency which will be as a result of integration of the ecological system with other corporate administration systems. In the process involving the ecological system, the documentation of routine operations, training of employees as well as the compliance plan will assist in capturing the employees’ awareness and reducing the environmental risks involved (Hsiao et al.,2014). Enhances the effective use of the resources available. The policies in place assist in regulating the management of waste and resources more effectively in addition to reduction of costs.
Recommendations and Rationale.
Reduction and recycling of paper policy. This will ensure there is moderation of paper by ensuring that constant email printing is reduced in case it is urgent. For instance, acknowledgement of job applications through the email instead of paper applications. Initiating waste and recycle management programmes such as recycling and standardise recycling of electronic waste, using food waste as animal feed as well as reutilizing used oil and plastic materials. Initiating programmes within the company to advocate for the use of chemicals that are less corrosive in washing and involvement in numerous projects for instance assisting the local communities in protecting endangered species.
References
Chan, E. S. (2011). Implementing environmental management systems in small-and medium-sized hotels: Obstacles. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 35(1), 3-23.
Hsiao, T. Y., Chuang, C. M., Kuo, N. W., & Yu, S. M. F. (2014). Establishing attributes of an environmental management system for green hotel evaluation. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 36, 197-208.
Massoud, M. A., Fayad, R., Kamleh, R., & El-Fadel, M. (2010). Environmental management system (ISO 14001) certification in developing countries: challenges and implementation strategies.