Chapter 3.3 Flashcards
Name 6 considerations that should be examined as part of whole-life asset management and incorporated into a whole-life costing analysis
- Triple bottom line - people, planet and profit
- Environmental factors
- Waste Management
- Packing and packaging
- Decommissioning
- The removal or disposal of an asset or item, including closed loop
Triple bottom line
This means making a profit, caring for people and looking after the planet (3Ps)
Ecological footprint
A technical term used to express the impact of activity in terms of the area of land and water usage required to support the activity and waste assimilation
Malthusian trap
A theory, originally proposed by Thomas Malthus in 1798. Malthus suggested that as the population increased so would the demand for earth’s natural resources. Eventually, demand would outstrip supply. This tipping point - where resources are extracted quicker than the earth can replenish - is disputed. The UK government believe this has already happened in the 1980s whereas some US scientists believe it will be in 2025
What concept is at the heart of sustainability principles?
The triple bottom line
Describe the triple bottom line in 3 points
- People relates to socially responsible corporate awareness and behaviour, both internally and in the wider community
- Planet relates to environmental awareness and behaviour, minimising its ecological footprint and raising awareness of the Malthusian trap
- Profit relates to the need to maintain an economic, financial position that is sustainable, most often related to continued operations
Name 3 things that are likely to be included in a disposal supply chain that is socially responsible
- Ensuring that all staff and the public are safeguarded from the short-term and long-term effects of disposal: this will be more than just the use of personal protective equipment
- Ensuring employment practises of the disposal supply chain matches or improves on the policies and practises of the organisation arranging for disposal
- Consideration of disposal methods which minimise the potential risk and impact to people
Circular economy
A principle of maximising reuse and value extraction of materials and products rather than disposal without consideration of outcome
Closed loop
Involving the same type of use
Open loop
Involving a different type of use
Mixed loop
Involving some materials being reused for the same type of product and other materials being used differently
Why may some trade offs be required in a circular economy?
As a disposal process may require long transport distances and high energy use but the result may be less environmental damage and greater reuse of the resulting material
How would you dispose of obsolete stock and equipment? (4)
- This should be assessed for possible alternative uses and markets.
- Previous customers for the stock should be contacted in case they still have a need
- Specialist dealers may buy the stock with the intention of using their own contacts or extracting scrap value
- There may be an active market in another country
What is the objective when disposing of obsolete stock and equipment?
To move the stock and obtain the best value possible or limit the losses incurred
How would you dispose of redundant stock and equipment? (4)
- Should be assessed for opportunity to find a buyer and recover as much value as possible
- Original suppliers should be contacted as they may offer some value or credit against goods still in use
- Previous customers may still have use for the stock even though no orders have been received from them
- Specialist dealers may find it easy to use their contacts and find buyers as the stock is still current in the marketplace
How would you dispose of surplus stock and equipment? (4)
- Stock could simply be held until it is used up through normal trading
- Promotional efforts through established customers and attempts to interest new customers
- Could be offered back to the material suppliers
- Surplus industry-specific machinery could be sold to specialist dealers or advertised in appropriate trade magazines
What is the objective of disposal?
To maximise value recovery without affecting the reputation of the organisation
Environmental, social and governance (ESG)
A measurable sustainability assessment, similar to CSR but more measurable. Financial performance remains key and so can create a sustainable credit rating for the organisation and investors
Corporate social responsibility (CSR)
An organisational sustainability framework to embed into strategy and operations and supply chains to have a positive global impact
Can scrap material have a market and a value?
Yes
When do scrap values work best?
If the material has an established market and is separated from other scrap and waste. As a result it may be beneficial to incur some costs to separate waste types
What does waste benefit from?
Competitive quotes
Why should waste liquids not be mixed?
As the processes used to manage this waste are expensive and unnecessarily risky to manage
What does economic disposal extend to?
Return schemes
Is the waste solution sustainable?
No
What is there likely to be increased pressure on organisations to justify?
The type and volume of waste produced as environmental interest, government action and economic costs of waste have their effects
Name 5 social or people implications that should be considered over the earlier stages of the whole-life asset management process
- Working conditions for both employees inside the organisation and for those in the wider supply chain
- Seeking to use a diverse set of suppliers and where appropriate selecting and prioritising minority business owners or small businesses
- Requesting and reviewing all suppliers’ ESG, CSR and DEI policies as part of the selection process
- Ensuring staff are sufficiently trained to operate and maintain the asset, and that any safety equipment required to do so is provided
- Incorporating social value into the award criteria for an item, asset or service.
What is social value
Where a contract gives something back or does something good for the local community
Name 3 considerations of working conditions
- Being free from modern slavery
- Being paid a fair and legal wage
- Limiting working hours to ensure staff are not overworked with no breaks or days off
Name 4 planet/environmental implications that should be considered over a products whole life
- The logistics method required to transport an item or asset at any time over its life cycle and the emissions produced by the transportation mode
- The available energy options required to power an asset, item or service
- Packing and packaging options available for the production and delivery of an asset, item or service and subsequent packaging options available for any goods or services the asset itself may produce
- Responsible disposal of any waste materials required to operate or maintain the asset, item or service
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)
It can be defined as equality ensuring that every individual has fair and equal treatment and opportunities, regardless of their background, identity or experience.
Diversity recognises that, although people have things in common with each other, they are also different in many ways such as the protected characteristics - age, disability, sex, race and religion or beliefs
Inclusion is where those differences are seen as a benefit and where different perspectives are shared and heard, leading to better decisions. Everyone should have equal opportunity to participate and reach their full potential
Social value
The output from a contract that benefits society at large, rather than the purchaser or end user
What do economical or profit considerations mainly relate to
Undertaking an accurate and through whole-life cost analysis, ensuring all the different costs are examined are accounted for
Name 3 profit factors that should be considered as part of whole-life asset management?
- Payment terms agreed with the supplier of an asset, item or service to ensure sufficient cash flow in and out of the buying organisation
- Periodic reviews as part of the whole-life asset management process to ensure costs are as expected, and that the asset, item or service is still generating the expected return on investment
- Ensuring all payments are made on time, such as those to suppliers, employees or any associated taxes
Where do environmental issues start?
With the original specification of purchases, whether these are fixed assets or stock
Name 11 issues relating to environmental factors that may mean a specification is extended
- The materials used
- The renewability of raw materials used
- The design of the items - whether the parts can be disassembled
- Labelling of the parts to indicate recycling or processing to be used
- The designed life of the items and the real-world usage lifetime
- Provision for the potential refurbishment of parts rather than waste processing
- Specifying chemicals, coolants and lubricants that are easier to process at end of life with less impact on the environment
- The provision of product specific end of life dismantling and processing centres
- Documentation relating to decommissioning and end of life disposal provided as part of the specification to allow assessment by the buying organisation
- The energy options available to procure, power, maintain or repair an item, asset or service and its emission impact on the environment
- Logistical options available to transport the asset or associated materials, such as air, sea, road, rail and its impact on the environment
Should disposal be a last resort?
Yes
Name 4 steps to an environmental risk assessment
- Refer to original documentation for procedure and disposal methods
- Contact manufacturer for update information or if no documentation is available
- Examine equipment parts with specialist support to identify materials and dismantling routine
- Document process, create environmental risk assessment
Name 8 environmental risks of disposal
- Specific environmental risks of each of the processes involved
- The materials and substances involved
- The process available for the specific materials and substances
- The resource consumption of the processes
- Any by-products of the processes including residual waste
- Potential pollution risks
- Transport movements (CO2 emissions) and risks-in-transit
- Where reuse or recycling is involved, the residual end of life requirements and consequences
What is commonly used to summarise risks?
Risk register
How do most organisations classify risk?
Low, medium, high
What should produce a sustainable supply chain
A reduction in use of new resources and incorporation of reused or recycled materials
Why is responsible waste management important for organisations?
Some processes may be a legal requirement and some organisations may encounter reputational damage if they are seen to be behaving in an unethical manner
Name 2 cases where there is specific legislation relating to high risk products and substances
- Toxic chemicals and gases
- Electronic equipment and batteries
Name 4 forms of toxic chemicals and gases
- Residue
- Tanks
- Liquid reservoirs
- In pipes supplying or draining equipment
Name 5 specific health and safety and general handling requirements that legislation on toxic chemical and gases may require
- Planning the activity
- The use of PPE
- Use of specialist contractors
- The documentation of the type and volume of chemicals and how these must be packaged, labelled and transported
- The disposal method may be prescribed by the regulations or terms of a licence
What is electronic equipment likely to contain?
Recyclable metals and potentially harmful metals like Mercury
What might batteries contain?
Contaminants and harmful metals and electrical substations have historically been known to leak glycol and cause ground contamination
Name a strict guideline batteries are covered by
the Battery Directive
Who usually has legal responsibility for any damage, injury or pollution caused by waste?
the site owner
Who is responsible for the removal or waste when a contractor is involved?
The contractor may have liability, however the site owner remains responsible until there is a formal transfer of responsibility
What might governments do at the end of an items life to reflect environmental issues?
Charge taxes on specific types of materials
Give 2 examples of governments charging taxes on specific type of materials
- Ultimate disposal - landfill charges
- By the volume or weight of specific materials handled by organisations whether the originator or the processor of waste
What is e-waste
Large range of electrical devices that have come to their end of life
What does any waste require?
Planning and documentation
Name 7 objectives of packing and packaging
- Protect the product from damage in transit through to the final user
- Protect other products being damaged by the product itself
- Protect the handlers of the product from harm
- Comply with transport and/or legal requirements
- Meet an organisations image and marketing objectives
- Meet an organisations environmental commitment
- Meet a cost target in order to maintain profitability
Name 12 types of packaging
- Cardboard boxes (cartons)
- Cardboard pick trays and boxes
- Labelling and handling instructions
- Void filling
- Edge and corner protection packaging
- Product trays
- Layer pads and layer trays
- Protective sleeving
- Packaging and wrapping tape
- Heat-shrink wrap
- Pallet wrapping
- Strapping