When we say that a business has “gone green” or has created a green workplace, we mean it has taken meaningful steps to operate in a more environmentally-protective and sustainable manner.
“Going green” benefits the larger environment we all share. It also helps a business’ bottom line by creating a healthier, more productive workplace for employees, reducing operating costs and appealing to green clients.
Pumping and cleaning portable restrooms requires PROs and their employees to deal with human waste and wastewater containing bacteria, viruses, fungi and other pathogens. Accordingly, PROs going green must consider more factors than many other employers.
Below are some simple, yet important, steps PROs can take to create a green workplace based on the Portable Sanitation Association International’s (PSAI) Code of Excellence (2015):
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), site-specific vaccination recommendations for workers exposed to human waste should be developed by businesses through consultation with local health authorities and professionals. The CDC advises that employee tetanus vaccinations should be kept up to date and consideration given to hepatitis vaccinations.
PROs should train workers handling human waste or wastewater on basic hygiene best practices and encourage them to seek prompt medical attention if they experience vomiting, stomach cramps or diarrhea.
PROs should instruct workers on proper use and disposal of personal protective equipment, including:
PROs must train employees to be vigilant in detecting and addressing waste spills.
Spill monitoring and management training should be integrated into new-hire training and refreshed annually for all workers, preferably during the mid-summer peak season.
Employees must understand that cleanup of any spill they notice immediately becomes their responsibility. The employee who first notices the spill may not abandon the site until it is clean, or a superior has assumed responsibility.
PROs can reduce spills by training employees to inspect pumpers visually before transport and establishing truck “prep areas” that allow for completion of multiple refilling and maintenance functions in a single spot.
Finally, every PRO must respect the environment and obey the law by disposing of waste in a way that meets or exceeds all applicable regulatory requirements.
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PROs should supply and utilize green products whenever feasible in their operations. Here are some examples of such products:
The PSAI encourages PROs to take all reasonable steps to conserve resources in their operations. Practical conservation steps include:
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