Three weeks after my move from the main office, I was the target of an unannounced environmental inspection by the state agency. Prior to my move, I had focused solely on CIM workflow integration – software. Now, being in a smaller regional office, I was also responsible for answering the inspectors questions about the waste streams from the business in an office that I barely knew. This state, although not California, is known for much more environmental regulation (laws) and stricter enforcement (fines $) than the one I had just left.
My view on the environment is selfish, but the result is still altruistic. In other words, I want to live in a healthy community so I do my part to keep it that way. In return, I expect and hope that other businesses and individuals in the community are also responsible with their choices. I try to be the best possible steward of resources. However, when hazardous waste is a necessary and inevitable by-product of the process, I want the waste disposal to have the least possible impact to the environment. My personal mantra, however, does not guarantee a clean bill of health from the state environmental inspector.
I nervously answered the inspectors questions to the best of my ability, as she asked about the hazardous chemistry for the CtP machine and its disposal. The inspector continued to ask questions about MSDS sheets, inspection logs, chain of custody, and personal safety. The visit lasted only an hour but the uncertainty about the outcome lingered for a few weeks until the follow-up report was released.
The letter arrived and confirmed that we are within environmental compliance. Since this time, a new recycling initiative has been put in place to reclaim more plastic (PETE #1) in our production waste stream. Going forward, I hope that more environmentally sound initiatives can be started, after all, it is about choice and responsibility – not compliance.
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