Jump to content

  • Quick Navigation
Photo

Waste Containers

Share this

  • You cannot start a new topic
  • Please log in to reply
4 replies to this topic

jenky

    Grade - MIFSQN

  • IFSQN Member
  • 77 posts
  • 37 thanks
13
Good

  • United States
    United States
  • Gender:Female

Posted 16 February 2015 - 08:57 PM

Looking for some advice on waste containers.  I joined my company about 6 months ago and recently uncovered an "interesting" practice regarding waste containers.  The company recycles empty packaging containers to capture waste and recyclables.  The boxes are labeled and only used once.  At the end of the shift, or whenever full, they get moved to the dumpster or recycle area.  I understand the good-intentions behind the practice - they are trying to reduce waste, etc.  However, the practice does not meet SQF Code requirements.  We are SQF certified, and I cannot understand how an auditor has not observed this practice over the years and not said anything. 

 

Understandably, operations and sanitation want to keep the practice as is.  I want to ensure we are in compliance with SQF code and regulatory requirements.  My issue is that boxes are not cleanable, nor are they designed for this purpose.  What happens when a box doesn't get labeled as waste (and we all know that it WILL happen)?    

 

Anyone encounter this type of issue?  Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill?

 

 

 

 

 



Slab

    Grade - SIFSQN

  • IFSQN Senior
  • 438 posts
  • 208 thanks
105
Excellent

  • United States
    United States
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:The Heel of the Boot
  • Interests:Reading (history, science fiction), Photography, drawing,food safety, metrology, TQM, hoplology, etc.

Posted 16 February 2015 - 09:57 PM

Hi, Jennifer;

No, not a mole hill by any stretch (per SQF code 11.4):
 

Appropriate containers for waste storage are containers that are considered easily cleanable, properly labelled,
not absorbable and designed for the purpose. No packaging container is to be used for the storage of waste
or scrap. Waste containers are to be clearly labelled or designated as waste in languages relevant to the
employee workforce.

 

 

 

Obviously you're more than aware at this point that this is an extremely dangerous practice, more so since packaging is being used. Waste management is in my experience an area of inspection that will cost a certification for non compliance, or as the worst case scenario a regulatory shut-down.  It's a beast to manage unfortunately and will turn every last hair on the head grey. Management needs to tune this up post-haste. 

Best of luck!


  • fgjuadi likes this

Food Safety News  Marine Stewardship Council

 

"Some people freak out when they see small vertebra in their pasta" ~ Chef John


Thanked by 1 Member:
Jennifer B.

Snookie

    Grade - FIFSQN

  • IFSQN Fellow
  • 1,625 posts
  • 267 thanks
174
Excellent

  • United States
    United States
  • Gender:Female

Posted 16 February 2015 - 10:13 PM

While Slab is right, iI am curious about the product is and more about the environment.  Are we talking about large Gaylords?  I have seen other companies recycle Gaylords to hold plastics and cardboards in a dry environment that is not high risk and SQF was okay with that.    


Posted Image
Live Long & Prosper

Thanked by 1 Member:
Jennifer B.

jenky

    Grade - MIFSQN

  • IFSQN Member
  • 77 posts
  • 37 thanks
13
Good

  • United States
    United States
  • Gender:Female

Posted 17 February 2015 - 01:13 PM

Yes, we are a dry environment and the boxes, etc. are typically being used to hold recyclables.  Slab is definitely right - waste management is an area that cause major headaches.  In my short tenure, I have found that this one area that needs serious improvements. 

 

Thanks for confirming my initial thoughts!



Mulan1010

    Grade - MIFSQN

  • IFSQN Member
  • 249 posts
  • 139 thanks
78
Excellent

  • United States
    United States

Posted 19 February 2015 - 05:44 PM

I agree that this can be a very tricky situation.  However, if your facility feels like it must do this then your team can type up a risk assessment that supports why the containers are acceptable to use as waste containers.  Hopefully your company has a written program or procedures in place on the control of the containers and, if you have not already done so, include a review of this in the internal audits. It goes a long way to support your risk assessment if you have some type of micro testing to back up your procedures. 

 

There are a few things that we do not follow the SQF Code on and we have a risk assessment on each one supporting that what we are doing is acceptable.  So far this has been accepted by the SQF auditors and we have had 4 different auditors over the years. 



Thanked by 1 Member:
Jennifer B.


Share this

0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users