Corporate Environmental Stewardship Has Positive Effects

In recent years, corporations have taken a more active role in the fight to protect the environment. This is largely due to the fact that individuals and communities have become much more environmentally aware. Also important is the fact that Generation Z and the Millennial generation have expressed a preference to work for and to consume products from businesses that offer sustainable products or that have incorporated sustainability into their corporate culture or operations. One such company that takes an active role in protecting the environment is beneficial reuse firm Altiras, located in Houston, TX. 

We recently spoke with Todd Pencarinha, President of Altiras. According to Mr. Pencarinha, "Altiras is a B2B company, so it is not where you would expect to look when seeking companies that provide significant benefit to communities. However, the very nature of our business provides tangible benefits to those around us, not just our suppliers and customers." When providing services to clients, Todd Pencarinha and the team at Altiras abide by a set of core values. One of those values is a responsibility to conduct business in a way that promotes the health of the environment. Through the company's industry leading beneficial reuse strategies, Mr. Pencarinha states "Altiras is one of those unique companies that benefits the environment and communities by the very nature of what it does. By developing beneficial reuse projects, Altiras directly reduces waste for it's suppliers, provides cost savings for its customers, and reduces the carbon footprint for both." Among the more popular trends in environmental stewardship among businesses is the redevelopment of supply chains to incorporate more sustainable practices, including the reduction of raw material, water, and energy use. Pencarinha goes on to say "Altiras allows its customers and suppliers to change their supply chains in such a way that they, and even nearby communities, benefit by lower carbon footprint, lower energy use, reduced air emissions, and reduced risk of land, groundwater or other environmental contamination."

Conservationism and environmental stewardship in corporate America are attracting more scrutiny, thus the implementation of sustainable practices and beneficial use strategies play a critical role. Todd Pencarinha believes that companies like Altiras will play a key role in near future of American business by helping businesses eliminate waste, minimize environmental risks, cut costs, improve efficiency, and retain conscientious employees.

Effective Waste Management

Todd Pencarinha is the president of the Houston, Texas-based industrial reuse firm Altiras. A chemical engineering graduate with distinction of the Ohio State University, Todd Pencarinha has led Altiras to establish industry best practices in quality assurance and product stewardship involving the beneficial use of materials that would otherwise be considered solid wastes.

    According to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), unless specifically excluded by the regulations, a solid waste is defined as any discarded material that is abandoned, recycled, considered inherently waste-like, or military munitions. However, the RCRA definitions are very specific and often do not match the Webster’s dictionary definitions. For example, the definition of “abandoned” includes disposal, burning or incineration, or even accumulating, storing or treating these materials.

    Similarly, “solid wastes” are not always solid, but are described as such since RCRA has separate regulations for air and water pollution. The RCRA definition includes liquids, semi-solids, and contained gasses. Examples of solid waste include everyday garbage, as well as industry-specific materials such as sludge from a wastewater treatment plant, waste chemicals, and used solvents.

    The RCRA definition of “recycling” can also be confusing since it includes direct reuse, although direct reuse can allow for exclusion from solid waste regulation.

    Are you confused yet? If you are, then you are among good company. The RCRA regulations are not easy to interpret and can take years to master. Once mastered, don’t worry, they will be changed again.