Integrating Business Management Processes

Chapter 13

Environmental Aspects and Impacts

13.1 Introduction

All businesses have activities that provide services and products. The way these activities, services and products impact on the environment defines the environmental aspects of the organisation. Activities, services, aspects and impacts are closely related elements of an environmental review. An aspect is a constituent part of the organisation’s business. In a manufacturing environment, the aspects are inputs to the manufacturing process: raw materials, chemicals and natural resources. However, not all aspects are inputs to manufacturing processes. Also, not all aspects create a significant impact on the environment, and the organisation should focus on aspects that do have. The ...