The Mahaska County Solid Waste Management Commission is committed to promoting environmental responsibility and stewardship through the development and continual improvement of an Environmental Management System.
We will demonstrate this commitment by following our environmental management system recipe:
- R: Regulatory compliance
We will meet or exceed regulatory requirements.
- E: Environmental stewardship
We recognize our responibility for the quality and protection of our environment.
- C: Continual improvement
We will constantly look for ways to improve our environmental performance using this policy as the basis upon which we prioritize our efforts.
- I: Integrate
We will use the Environmental Management System as a cornerstone of our strategic plan and will join the Landfill Commission, employees, customers, suppliers, key partners, and the community in this collective effort.
- P: Pollution prevention
We will identify and prevent or minimize pollution.
- E: Education
We will create opportunities to enlighten our customers and partner with educators.
We will measure and evaluate our performance to established goals and objectives through regular management review meetings.
The Environmental System (EMS) program is a voluntary alternative to Comprehensive Planning for solid waste planning areas and permitted facility service areas actively pursuing environmental stewardship goals in six environmental areas.
Six Environmental Components
Current Objectives for the Six Components
Organics
Increase diversion of organics from the landfill
Household Hazardous Waste
Reduce landfilling of rechargeable batteries
Water Quality Improvement
Reduce sediment from entering the unnamed tributary
Greenhouse Gas
Reduce energy and propane usage
Recycling
Increase recyclables collected
Environmental Education
Increase awareness of the drop-off recycling program
