Port Houston was recently recertified to the international standard for port environmental management systems, known as ISO 14001, meeting a comprehensive set of criteria in the process ranging from the following requirements:
- Waste Minimization
- Energy Efficiency
- Storm Water Pollution Clean-up Program
- LEED Standards
- Dredged Material Area Management
Known as ISO 14001:2015, the new standard requires significant organizational changes before the designation can be awarded, and steps already have been taken by port environmental department officials to meet those goals.
Port Houston was first certified to ISO 14001 in 2002.
“We are proud to be the first publicly-owned port in the world certified to the new ISO 14001 standard,” said Trae Camble, director of environmental affairs for Port Houston. “Through the environmental management system, we ensure that we are meeting our stewardship goals by preventing, reducing and mitigating impacts to the environment and surrounding communities.”
The ISO 14001 Environment Management System (EMS) standard is an internationally recognized environmental management standard that was put in place in 1996. Open to any company or agency, the program is described as a systematic framework to manage the immediate and long-term environmental impact of an organization’s products, services and processes.
Today, use of the Environmental Management System is the cornerstone of business decisions at the port. This systematic approach aims to protect and preserve the natural environment along the Houston Ship Channel and surrounding areas.