Cross Sector Best Practice Guidance Documents
The following is a list of best practice guidance documents within a range of industrial sectors. Please click on a title below to view a summary before opening the document.
Cross Sector Best Practice Guidance Documents
Sector specific best practice guidance documents
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Approaches to improving the environmental performance of your business
This guide provides an introduction to current approaches for improving the environmental management performances of industrial processes, products and services. This guide addresses issues such as what is environmental management, the business case, how to get started and practical supports and information sources.
Environmental Management Approaches To Improving The Environmental Performance Of Your Business 
424kB
Good houseleeping measures for solvents
Irish industry use vast quantities of organic liquid solvents that evaporate readily at normal temperature and pressure, giving rise to volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. The solvents are generally used in dissolution, dispersal or viscosity adjustment, and may also be cleaning agents. This cross sector pollutant specific Best Practice Guide is intended to help companies save money by reducing solvent usage and, at the same time, reduce VOC emissions.
The good housekeeping measures described in this Guide are practical and affordable. Many involve no capital expense; others require modest investment that will be quickly paid back by the savings made. Good housekeeping can be applied throughout the manufacturing cycle, from delivery, storage, on-site distribution and handling, to process use, cleaning, waste recovery and disposal.
Good Housekeeping Measures for Solvents 900kB
S.I. No. 543 of 2002 “Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds from Organic Solvents Regulations 2002
Wastewater treatment - activated sludge process
This guide is intended to provide a first check for those involved in the operation, management and monitoring of the activated sludge process to confirm that good practices are in place. In the first instance the material refers to wastewater treatment in an industrial facility, although much of it is also relevant to the activated sludge process in any context.
The nature and extent of problems that can arise in plant operation may be complex and varied and the scope of this basic guide cannot extend to the provision of comprehensive troubleshooting and problem solving advice. Where problems arise which are outside the competence of on-site personnel, expert external assistance should be promptly sought.
Wastewater Treatment - Activated Sludge Process 303kB
Resource loss mapping
Note: This is one of two documents on loss reduction. This current document is recommended for a company initially setting out on establishing where losses are occurring while the follow-up document (Process Loss Reduction BPGCS004) deals in more detail with how to relate losses to the manufacturing process.
To reduce the loss of resources in any business it is necessary to understand where and how it occurs, and how much it is really costing. Resource Loss Mapping encompasses all losses that impact on company’s profits and it is a visual and practical tool to analyse and manage environmental performances, particularly in small companies. By using simple mapping techniques it will be possible to ‘map out’ how the company is using resources. From this it will be possible to build up a picture of the processes and see more clearly where resources are being wasted.
Resource Loss Mapping 303kB
Process loss reduction
This is the second document on loss reduction and this addresses in more detail how to relate losses to the manufacturing process. The Resource Loss Mapping (BPGCS003) document is recommended for a company initially setting out on establishing where losses are occurring.
Process Loss Reduction 361kB
Oil storage
These Guidelines provide advice on current Best Practice for oil storage as regards the prevention and early detection of oil leakage to the external environment. They address the issues associated with the storage of oil that would be typically used as an energy source within any industrial/commercial premises.
Many aspects of the Guidelines may be applicable to the storage of other liquids and “oils” such as bulk cooking oils etc., which may also pose a similar risk to the environment. However the storage of many materials, e.g. highly flammable or toxic materials, would have important additional or alternative storage requirements (e.g. COMAH) to those detailed here and would need to be considered separately on a case by case basis (see BPGCS001 Good House Keeping Measures for Solvents). Equally these Guidelines are not intended to deal with fire/explosion issues or for large-scale storage at oil terminals, oil transfer stations, etc.
Oil Storage 360kB
How to obtain and effluent discharge licence
This document outlines the procedures industrial facilities with an effluent discharge will have to undergo in order to obtain an effluent discharge licence from a relevant local authority. These notes are for guidance only and do not purport to be a legal interpretation of the 1977 and 1990 (Water Pollution) Acts.
How to Obtain an Effluent Discharge Licence 223kB
Energy management
With rising fuel costs, opening of electricity and gas markets to alternate suppliers and climate change, the requirement to monitor and reduce energy consumption is receiving greater attention than ever before in Irish business.
The Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) Managing Energy in SMEs ( 548KB) provides information to get SME business started on energy management.
The SEI Energy Management Guide ( 274KB), further details the steps companies can undertake to improve energy efficiency within their business.
Small Change - Waste Management for Business
The 'Small Change' guide for business aims to provide practical solutions to recycling and minimising the amount of waste produced and therefore reducing costs associated with waste management.
It will give a range of useful information including:
- How to carry out a waste review and implement an action plan
- How to deal with a waste contractor
- How the waste legislation applies to business
- Learn how other businesses have implemented policies and made savings
A Guide for large Organisations to Reduce and Reuse and Recycle (3.7MB)
Local Energy Action - EU Good Practice 2007
Each good practice has been validated by the European Commission against a set of objective criteria, and they have been chosen for their strong contribution to the promotion of energy efficiency and/or renewable energy use and for their strong possibilities of replication. The examples of good practice represent a wide variety of approaches, and all of them could be replicated elsewhere. But there are many other approaches which could be taken, and this brochure aims to stimulate thought rather than provide all the answers.
Download Local Energy Action - EU Good Practice 2007 
450kB____________________________________________________________
Metal plating finishing & coating
Metal finishing processes involve treatment of a metal work-piece in order to modify its surface properties, impart a particular attribute to the surface, or produce a decoration. Plating involves putting a coating of metal over a base metal substrate to give various desirable properties to the object. Metal coating involves the application of a paint or powder coating to a metal work-piece.
This guide is aimed at the smaller metal finishers and mainly focuses on environmental best practices that are relatively simple and straightforward to implement in an existing facility. Therefore some of the more expensive best practice options (e.g., electrodialysis to concentrate drag-out; ultrafiltration for process bath maintenance, etc.) have been omitted from this guide.
Metal Plating Finishing & Coating 590KB
Furniture manufacture
Furniture manufacture involves the assembly of materials into furniture pieces and subsequent finishing. Materials in use include wood and wood-based products such as MDF, chipboard and plywood, as well as materials like metal, foam, and plastic. This guide is aimed at the smaller furniture manufacturers and mainly focuses on best practices that are relatively simple and straightforward to implement in an existing facility.
Furniture Manufacture 351KB
Print & Packaging
The Printing and Packaging sector has come under increasing pressure from customers and the government to reduce its impact on the environment. This has lead to increased costs for waste disposal and the necessity to comply with various licensing controls. This guide details the environmental issues experienced by the printing and packaging industry and describes best practice to improve environmental performance.
Best Practice Guide for Print & Packaging 314KB
Best Practice Guidelines on the Preparation of Waste Management Plans for Construction and Demolition Projects
The purpose of these Guidelines is to promote an integrated approach to construction and demolition (C&D) waste management, throughout the duration of a project. They are designed to promote sustainable development, environmental protection and optimum use of resources. The Guidelines provide guidance on the preparation of Project Construction and Demolition Waste Management Plans for certain classes of project, which exceed specified threshold limits. The requirement for such Plans extends equally to both public and private sector developments. They provide clients, developers, designers, practitioners, contractors, sub-contractors and competent authorities with an agreed basis for determining the adequacy of C&D Waste Management Plans.
Best Practice Guidelines on the Preparation of Waste Management Plans for Construction & Demolition Projects 278KB
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