Best practice environmental management : an assessment of implementation in Tasmanian industry

The universal acceptance of the need for improved environmental management in all sectors of society has witnessed a plethora of approaches to achieve such ends. Central to the concerns over the continuing degradation of the environment has been the practice of industry and, in order for industry to reduce its impact on the environment, it is increasingly being required to accept and implement the concept of 'Best Practice Environmental Management' (BPEM). The concept of BPEM focuses on three general principles. The first is the need for improved technology in both internal manufacturing and external effluent treatment processes. Such improvements may involve the introduction of best available technology or modifications to existing technology. The second principle consists of achieving consistently improved environmental performance through the improved management of industrial activities. This is largely achieved through the introduction of efficient and effective Environmental Management Systems (EMS). Best Practice Environmental Regulation (BPER) comprises the third principle which involves the identification of practices that have produced outcomes consistent with enhanced environmental performance and improved competitiveness. This thesis assesses the level of acceptance and implementation of the concept of BPEM by using two of Tasmania's major industrial plants, Fletcher Challenge's pulp and paper mill and Pasminco ‚ÄövÑvÆ EZ's electrolytic zinc processing facility. Two definitions of the concept of BPEM are used for this assessment, one from Tasmania's resource management legislation, the other from the Australian Manufacturing Council. Assessment of these two industrial complexes shows that management's acceptance and implementation of the principles of BPEM, as defined in the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994, has been substantial, and that significant improvements in environmental management have been achieved. The assessment also shows that these improvements have coincided with the introduction of appropriate legislation. Conversely, it is impossible, from the data generated by the case studies, to assess the compliance of these two industrial facilities with the definition of BPEM used by the Australian Manufacturing Council. Furthermore, given the absence of prescription and capacity for interpretation allowed by the AMC definition, it may be argued that rather than a definition, the definition is merely a pointer towards the general direction of BPEM.