Current Business Practices Audit

Current Business Practices Audit

Introduction

Riordan manufacturing company is a plastic molding company. Riordan is currently located in four states which are California, Michigan, China and Georgia. The Vice President of the company Mark Neitzel has decided to review the company's current processes and practices. He has found several Areas of improvement and wants the company to adopt more sustainable process that will benefit the company and the environment in the future.

Nonsustainable Practices

Riordan manufacturing practices a few different nonsustainable practices. However, three of those practices stand out. The three major nonsustainable practices that Riordan Manufacturing takes part in are water pollution due to water that is used in the fabrication process and cleaning process that is collected by floor drains connected to the city sewer system, Styrofoam waste filling landfills from Styrofoam being used for packaging. The Styrofoam that is used for packaging falls on the working surfaces or the floor. The Styrofoam that lands on the working surfaces is reused, but Styrofoam that lands on the floor is thrown in the garbage and disposed of in landfills. Riordan Manufacturing also has a plant in California where none of the products in the molding process there are used for mass production, but only for experimental purposes.

Riordan manufacturing uses solvents to clean the machinery. Riordan manufacturing then uses water to rinse the machinery. The water and solvents are then collected by floor drains that are connected to the city sewer system. Riordan Manufacturing also uses Styrofoam packaging peanuts in the package process. The Styrofoam that falls on the working areas such as tables or chairs during the package process is collected and added back into the holding vessel and reused for packaging. However, the Styrofoam that falls on the floor is collected and thrown in the garbage. Riordan Manufacturing also has a location in California, which creates molds however; none of the molds created are used for mass production, but only for experimental purposes.

Nonsustainable Practices and the Effect on the Environment

The three practices Riordan Manufacturing takes part in are not sustainable because they are contaminating the environment by polluting the air, water, and land. Riordan wastes products and must reevaluate their practices.

Water Pollution

The first practice Riordan Manufacturing must evaluate is the fact that they use solvents to clean the machinery. Riordan Manufacturing cleans its machinery with solvents and then uses water to rinse the machinery. The solvents and water then run off and drain into floor drains, which are connected to the city sewer system. This practice is not sustainable because Riordan Manufacturing is wasting water to clean the machinery and then polluting it with solvents that contaminate the city water system. This current practice pollutes and contaminates the water system by letting the solvents run into the drains that are connected to the city sewer system. This current practice also wastes water by cleaning the machinery everyday. Water is a viable part of the ecosystem, biosphere, and environment and must be conserved.

Land Pollution

The second practice Riordan Manufacturing must evaluate is the wasting of Styrofoam packaging peanuts and the filling of landfills. Riordan Manufacturing uses Styrofoam packaging peanuts in the packaging process. At the end of the workday the Styrofoam packaging peanuts that fall on the work surfaces such as the table or chairs is collected and returned to the holding container where it will be reused. However, the Styrofoam packaging peanuts that fall on the floor are collected and thrown in the garbage. This process is wasteful because of throwing away good product. Riordan Manufacturing must come up with a plan to be able to use the Styrofoam that falls on the floor because when it is thrown in the garbage it is taken to the local landfill and does not disintegrate easily. The Styrofoam fills the landfill and increases land and air pollution, which affects the environment and biosphere as a whole.

Excess Waste

The third area Riordan Manufacturing must evaluate is their plant in California. Riordan Manufacturing has a plant in California that creates molds that are never used for mass production, but rather for experimental purposes only. This practice is nonsustainable because it is only creating unnecessary waster. There is not reason why the machines could not be used for mass production; therefore they are just creating excess materials that harm the environment. By running the machinery that creates the molds, it is causing electricity pollution, such as lighting, heating, and processing equipment. It also creates excess waster that pollutes landfills, the air, and water.

Regulations

Riordan Plants located in Michigan, Georgia and California has to adhere to all government and federal rules. It is mandatory to follow Title 40 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 260, 261 and 262, or their national corresponding. This is for any business that produces over 2,000 pounds, or 1,000 kilograms of dangerous waste each month to classify all dangerous wastes they produce.