SPOTLIGHT Plastic Waste y
Plastic pollution reduction begins with active engagement
Businesses in the manufacturing sector can now take significant steps to manage plastic waste and its impact on the environment, thanks the world’s first best-practice standard for Responsible Plastic Management (RPM)
T
he fl ow of plastic into the world’s oceans will nearly triple to 29 million metric tonnes per year by 2040 if no action is taken, says
the Pew Charitable Trusts, an independent not-for-profi t organisation, set up to serve the public interest by improving policies, informing and invigorating civic life. Plastic pollution could increase even further with single-use masks, gloves and aprons used to fi ght COVID-19 transmission, now littering beaches and public spaces and polluting waters with vast amounts of various debris. However, by signing up to the RPM Standard and Program, organisations can demonstrate their commitment to taking proactive steps to better measure, reduce and re-use the plastic coming into – and coming out of – their businesses. Once companies have completed the
fi ve-step RPM programme, an assessment by independent global assurance company Lloyd’s Register will enable successful organisations to be certifi ed and listed publicly in the RPM online directory.
RPM all the way
RPM was founded as a not-for-profi t international organisation, by experienced assurance and sustainability specialists Peter Marshall and Dave Garforth. “Consumer awareness of plastic pollution has never been higher, and we wanted to help organisations understand how they can play an important role in ensuring that waste is mitigated and out of the oceans and environment,” said Marshall. “One of the current issues facing the industry is that there is no offi cial standard that helps organisations create an eff ective management plan. So, while we may hear that companies have committed to reducing their plastic waste, it’s unlikely that these plans will have been independently verifi ed. Let’s be honest – it’s a lot easier to say you’re doing something if you’re not actually held accountable by a third party. The new RPM programme will help organisations drive real change by providing a framework for
automationmagazine.co.uk
Plastic polution is a serious problem for our planet, and likely to get worse (Image credit: Dustan Woodhouse for Unsplash)
improvement – and then measuring them on progress.” Certifi ed organisations can access the RPM Trust Mark to illustrate their commitment to tackling this issue of plastic pollution to buyers, stakeholders and external parties.
Complementing existing best-practice industry standards – including ISO 14001 for environmental management – the RPM programme starts with an audit of existing policies and processes, which can take place either on site or remotely. From there, an organisation’s credentials will be verifi ed, and a manageable, tiered programme will be offi cially implemented. Annual reviews will take place to ensure companies are on track to meet commitments in the avoidance, reduction, re-use and recycling of plastics and to ensure continued compliance. “Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic
has resulted in many plastic management programmes taking a backseat, but the news of PPE pollution further emphasises the long-term importance in addressing plastic responsibility. Whilst it is accepted that the preventative measures necessary to protect our communities are essential at present, the generation and irresponsible management of more plastic is not the answer,” said Kimberly Carey Coffi n, Global Technical Director for Supply Chain Assurance at Lloyd’s Register.
“The launch of RPM is an important step for socially- and environmentally- conscious companies across the globe and we urge them to take their fi rst steps in reducing plastic waste. The system is the perfect journey for businesses to take, allowing them to truly understand their actions in manageable steps. More importantly, it helps to drive measurement and eff ectively demonstrates how certain actions can make a positive impact on the environment,” added Carey Coffi n.
A voluntary program The RPM program is voluntary and open to any organisation, regardless of size or type. It allows the engaged organisations to communicate their plastic management actions, vision and impact in a simplifi ed and understandable manner. RPM helps the organisations engage with key audiences whilst demonstrating their integrity and leadership in responsible plastic management and reduction. There are several levels of engagement: Offi cial RPM Support Partner, RPM Training, Project Assistance, Measurement, Certifi cation and Verifi cation.
https://www.rpmprogram.com/ CONTACT:
RPM Automation | September 2020 29
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46
