By 2013, all CLEAN locations have received the ISO 14001 certification related to environment management. The ISO 14001 is a set of internationally recognized standards that aim at helping with an organization’s compliance with environment regulations where applicable, as well as minimizing the possible negative impact from the operations on the environment. According to ISO data, only around 5200 companies in the U.S. are ISO 14001 certified by 2017. CLEAN is one of them.
What is ISO 14001
ISO 14001 is all about the process of how a product is produced, versus the product itself. The latest version ISO14001:2015 requires that “a community or organization put in place and implement a series of practices and procedures that, when taken together, result in an environmental management system (EMS).” You can check out the major requirements of an EMS under ISO 14001:2015 on the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s website.
A continually improving process
As the standard focuses on the organization, it can be applied to a variety of levels in the business, from the organizational level down to the product and service level. CLEAN has successfully improved resource efficiency, reduced waste, and reduced costs since the implementation of ISO 14001 standard: 363492.18 kWh have been saved from solar panels, equaling to burning 281,007 pounds of coal, or the carbon sequestered by 303 acres of U.S. forest in one year; all the management vehicles are fuel-efficient models, and have saved 13682 gallons of gas per year on average, and that can subsidize 21 homes electricity use for a year, or offset the carbon sequestered by 2,011 tree seedlings grown for 10 years.
Most importantly, the ISO 14001 is a continual process that requires thought leadership and organizational reform to transition to an overall strategic approach in response to environmental challenges. It goes beyond washing machines, light bulbs, and recycling programs that are in place. It is about how we think, act, and do our business. Check out CLEAN’s Green efforts and achievements here or Contact Us today to learn more.