Companies that introduce solutions that reduce their negative impact on the environment achieve many benefits. The operations of such companies become more nature-friendly, costs are reduced and security is improved, for example through the use of security features such as safes and eco-cabinets.
Ecological trend grows stronger
A few years ago, only 6% of small and medium-sized companies in Poland examined the impact of their activity on the natural environment, and 40% were not interested in the issue of ecology at all[1]. However, this has changed due to gradual changes in legal regulations and requirements concerning e.g. energy efficiency of buildings. Today, the whole world relies on nature, and the ecological trend is also visible in business.
According to Eurobarometer, an increasing number of small and medium-sized enterprises in Europe contribute to reducing carbon dioxide emissions and use energy and raw materials efficiently[2]. Companies are following the choices of consumers, who prefer to use services and products produced by environmentally conscious manufacturers. Whether a company is small or already has a lot of experience and background in its industry, it should look at its impact on the environment and mitigate the negative factors.
The possibilities are many, ranging from minimising paper consumption and collecting waste paper, to using energy-saving light bulbs, to recycling used equipment and materials, and to properly storing hazardous substances. Such innovations can bring many benefits, e.g. reduced running costs, reduced risk of water contamination or employees being poisoned by hazardous substances.
Beware of chemicals that are particularly hazardous to the environment and people
Many companies, not only industrial ones, use substances which require special storage. This applies in particular to chemicals which are harmful to health, flammable or explosive. Even in small businesses, strong chemicals should be stored in special rooms and hazardous material cupboards, also known as environmental cupboards, chemical cupboards or flammable and explosive material cupboards.
The worst possible solution is to use boxes, tins or jars of used foodstuffs, which can be found in cupboards or even fridges next to foodstuffs. Fortunately, storing them in robust, environmentally friendly cabinets is not only common sense to protect employees and the environment from potential harm, but also a legal requirement.
Ecological cabinet or environmental protection in a company
In every company, as well as institution, where substances hazardous to the environment and people are stored, there should be special environmental cabinets. Cabinets for hazardous materials perform three basic functions: they prevent fires, minimise the amount of harmful vapours discharged into the environment and prevent leaks of harmful substances.
The best environmental cabinets are made of non-combustible, non-sparking and stainless steel composite material with a fire resistance of 15 to 90 minutes, although cabinets made of high quality sheet metal are also encountered. Their bodies allow air to flow into the interior through ventilation holes, and sealed bathtub shelves accommodate even heavy canisters with large capacities and prevent possible leakage of liquids from the containers to the outside of the cabinet. The interior of these cabinets is mechanically ventilated and the resulting vapours are filtered before being discharged.
Vapour discharge prevents the concentration and mixing of various types of vapours, which minimises the risk of staff poisoning or spontaneous combustion. As many models are available, you can choose an ecological cupboard to suit your needs in terms of size, capacity, weight and equipment. What is important, the cabinets meet the restrictive European standard EN 14470-1, thanks to which they will prove useful even in the most demanding industries. It is worth remembering that an investment in this type of protection is not an unnecessary cost for the company, but a guarantee of safety and reduction of environmental hazards resulting from the company's activities.
Environmental storage cabinet at Hartmann Tresore
Cabinets for hazardous materials at Hartmann Tresore
[1] http://www.ekologia.pl/wiadomosci/srodowisko/polskie-firmy-nie-dbaja-o-srodowisko,20040.html
[2] http://forsal.pl/galerie/766345,duze-zdjecie,1,ekologia-europejskie-firmy-coraz-bardziej-dbaja-o-srodowisko.html
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