Minimise the environmental impact of logistics operations

This standard is about minimising the environmental impact of
logistics operations. It includes considering the environmental impact and identifying ways to minimise that impact. It also includes monitoring energy efficiency and reducing, re-using and recycling materials.

The standard encourages the use of the waste management hierarchy to move towards the elimination of waste (the circular economy) by looking for ways to reduce, reuse, recycle or recover energy from the waste and deal with what is left in a way that has the least negative impact on the environment.

This standard is relevant to all operatives at every level in logistics operations.

1.    maintain the health and safety of yourself and others at all times, in line with the relevant legislation and organisational requirements
2.    identify hazards and assess risks as you carry out the activity and wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), where required
3.    identify and comply with the environmental, sustainability and recycling policies and practices relevant to logistics operations in your organisation
4.    consider the materials, energy and other resources used to deliver logistics operations in your organisation and their potential environmental impact
5.    identify the different types of waste and surplus materials in your work area
6.    identify and implement ways to manage waste that needs to be disposed of, in a way that has the least negative impact on the environment
7.    identify ways to reduce, reuse or recycle waste and surplus materials in your work area to minimise the impact your organisation has on the environment
8.    identify ways to use energy and other resources more efficiently in logistics operations, to minimise the impact your organisation has on the environment 
9.    seek guidance on the utilisation of materials, energy and other resources in your work area, where required
10.    handle, transport and store waste and surplus materials for disposal or processing in accordance with the relevant legal requirements
11.    complete the required records or documentation relating to the disposal of waste in line with legal requirements and organisational procedures
12.    brief partners and sub-contractors on their environmental responsibilities when working with your organisation
13.    comply with the relevant legal and regulatory requirements and organisational policies and procedures relating to the environmental impact of logistics operations

1.    your responsibilities under the relevant health and safety legislation and organisational requirements
2.    how to identify hazards and assess risks as you carry out the activity and the requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE)
1.    the importance of reducing waste and minimising the environmental impact of logistics operations 
2.    the environmental, sustainability and recycling policies and practices relevant to logistics operations in your organisation
3.    the environmental issues affecting the logistics industry
4.    the ways to reduce, reuse or recycle waste and surplus materials in your work area to minimise the organisation’s impact on the environment
5.    the ways in which your organisation’s energy efficiency and use of other resources in logistics operations can be improved to minimise the organisation’s impact on the environment
6.    the relevant regulatory bodies for logistics operations and their compliance requirements
7.    the sources of information and guidance on the utilisation of materials, energy and other resources in your work area
8.    the relevant legal requirements for the handling, transport and storage of different types of waste 
9.    the information and recording systems used by the organisation and the legal and organisational requirements for maintaining records, including data protection legislation and organisational procedures for data security

Circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (make, use, dispose) in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible, extract the maximum value from them while in use, then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of each service life.

Environment: the natural environment, i.e. land, air and water

Environmental impact: any change to the environment resulting from an individual’s or organisation's activities, products or services

Health and safety includes mental and physical wellbeing

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) could include: high-visibility clothing, hard hats, protective clothing, eye protection, masks, gloves, safety footwear

Re-use can be at a product or component level e.g.
•    direct re-use
•    refurbishment
•    repairs and upgrades
•    remanufacture

Waste management hierarchy:
1.    reduce
2.    reuse
3.    recycle
4.    recover
5.    dispose