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Table 1: Examples of Environmental Aspects and Their Associated Impacts
The first environmental aspect is metals discharged POTW. The potential
impact is the degradation of aquatic habitat and drinking water supply.
The second environmental aspect is VOC Emissions. The potential impact
is contribution to smog, and degradation of air quality.
The third environmental aspect is scrap generation. The potential impact
is degradation of land, habitat, water supply.
The fourth environmental aspect is solid waste generation. The potential
impact is degradation of land, habitat, water supply.
The fifth environmental aspect is water use. The potential impact is the
use of natural resources.
The sixth environmental aspect is electricity use. The potential impact
is contribution to global warming, and degradation of air quality.
Table 2 shows examples of criteria to determine significant environmental aspects. These aspects, criteria, and rankings were developed for this case study and are not based on an actual facility. The example criteria include worker health and safety, toxicity, impact on natural resources, potential for non-compliance, wasted materials costs, and disposal costs. Those aspects deemed significant were metals in wastewater, generation of scrap boards, generation of solid waste, and water use. Electricity use and VOC emissions were not deemed significant.
Table 3 shows the relationship between aspects, impacts, objectives, and targets.
As shown in table 2, four of the six environmental aspects were found
to be significant.
For metals discharged POTW, the objectives are to reduce metals in wastewater;
the target is to reduce metals entering waste treatment by 20%.
For scrap generation, the objectives and targets are not addressed at
this time.
For solid waste generation, the objectives are to maximize recycling of
non-hazardous materials; the target is to recycle one additional material
not currently recycled.
For water use, the objectives are to reduce water use; the target is to
reduce water use by 20%.