Nowadays, environmental laws and environmental inspections in factories or companies are stricter. Therefore, each factory will have standards or certifications from various environmental agencies that are indicators of business operations that are responsible for the environment and society as a whole. If a factory has standards or certifications from various agencies, it will open up opportunities and create more trust for customers who use the service.
There are many types and types of environmental standards and certifications in Thailand to control and prevent environmental impacts, covering water, air, soil, and waste, such as ISO14001, Green Industry, and Eco Factory. In this article, we will introduce you to “Eco Factory”.
What is an Eco Factory?
Eco Factory or Eco-industrial Factory is an industrial factory that adheres to environmentally friendly business operations for sustainable development. It focuses on developing and improving production processes and environmental management on the basis of social responsibility both inside and outside the organization throughout the supply chain continuously and sustainably, including community development and promotion of the community economy. There are 5 important characteristics of Eco Factory as follows:
1. Zero waste or minimal waste
2. Efficient use of raw materials and energy
3. Good and standardized environmental management system
4. Reliable activities
5. Beneficial to stakeholders or surrounding society
Ecological Industrial Plant Criteria
The Eco Factory assessment criteria consists of 14 items, all of which are subject to the Eco Efficiency and Social Impact Evaluation criteria as follows:
1. Raw material management: Implementing measures, improving or changing processes or machinery and equipment to increase the efficiency of using raw materials in various production processes and services.
2. Energy management: Implementing measures, improving or changing processes or machinery and equipment to reduce energy use in the production of various goods and services.
3. Water and wastewater management: Using water efficiently (Water Efficiency) to reduce wastewater generation and discharge of wastewater out of the factory and reduce the organization’s water footprint.
4. Air pollution management: Implementing measures, improving or changing processes or machinery and equipment to reduce the amount of air pollution that affects the environment.
5. Greenhouse gas management: Implementing measures, improving or changing processes or machinery and equipment to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions and increase the efficiency of production in the process.
6. Waste management: Reduce waste to landfill and increase waste reuse, which includes general waste and hazardous waste. Reuse includes using waste in the production process or sending it as raw materials to produce other factories.
7. Chemical and hazardous substance management: Reduce the leakage of chemicals and hazardous substances. No leakage or accidents that affect employees, communities or the external environment
8. Occupational health and safety management: Employees must be safe and healthy at work. Employees must be cared for in terms of biosecurity and must be analyzed for safety and risks arising from business operations.
9. Transportation and logistics management: Reduce the use of related resources, increase efficiency and apply information technology and automation to transportation and logistics systems to reduce costs, increase efficiency and safety in transportation and logistics.
10. Green supply chain management: Promote sustainable production and consumption policies. Green procurement means the procurement of goods and services that have the least impact on the environment.
11. Green landscape management: Increase green areas both inside and outside the factory.
12. Biodiversity management: Reduce the rate of loss of natural habitats, reduce the destruction of natural habitats of biological resources.
13. Income distribution to the community: Generate income and create jobs for people in the community, including mutual support between the community and the factory.
14. Coexistence with surrounding communities: Provide opportunities for surrounding communities to participate in monitoring environmental quality, including activities that promote community quality of life.
These criteria must be evaluated by the Federation of Thai Industries and the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand.
Note:
1.The evaluation criteria for Eco Factory for large factories must meet Green Industry Level 3 or ISO 14001 standards and have no complaints for 1 year.
2.The evaluation criteria for Eco Factory for medium and small factories must meet Green Industry Level 2 or White Flag with Green Star standards and have no complaints for 1 year.
