Your Guide to Environmental Regulatory Compliance in Retail & Logistics

Professionals in environmental, health, and safety in the retail and logistics industries are tasked with managing these sizable and sometimes competing priorities from the corporate- to site-level. Staying current and in compliance with evolving regulations requires a helping hand.

As an environmental consultant ranked in the top three for five of Engineering News-Record’s Top Contractors in Environment awards, including #1 for Site Assessment and Compliance, these are some regulatory trends we are keeping a pulse on.

Environmental Regulations to Watch

The following sustainability topics are experiencing a stringent uptick in regulatory reporting and compliance measures:

Energy Management

Emission reduction regulations aimed at boosting corporate accountability, such as SB 261 and SB 253 in California, require retailers and other businesses exceeding $1 billion in total annual revenue doing business in the state to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related financial risks. This regulatory trend indicates a growing emphasis on energy management and carbon accounting both in-store and throughout the supply chain.

Waste Minimization

Hazardous waste and hazardous materials are a longstanding challenge for retailers, but extended producer responsibility (EPR) is a relatively new challenge on the scene. EPR focuses on making producers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, including post-consumer waste. Currently, over 30 states have some form of EPR legislation for products such as paper packaging, single-use plastics, and electronics. For retailers, responsibilities apply when they have private brands or when suppliers operate outside jurisdictional boundaries—and the onus therefore lands on product importers.

Stormwater Management

Retail logistics and warehousing facilities are subject to industrial stormwater management regulations, and increased warehouse space driven by a rise in e-commerce sales has made regulatory reporting issues more prevalent. Tactics to control sources of pollution can vary by geographic location, complicating the design and development of consistent stormwater management programs across large and dispersed facility portfolios.

Transportation Electrification

While the freight industry is under pressure to advance sustainability agendas by adopting more efficient, low carbon fuels, the bar for environmental compliance continues to rise. For instance, the push for electrification requires the shipment of lithium batteries for e-bikes, electric vehicles, etc. Transporting these batteries safely in compliance with Department of Transportation regulations can create new hurdles for retailers.

Partnering with Environmental Consulting Firms

While most nationwide retailers have their own environmental, health, and safety and sustainability teams, hiring an environmental consultant can be imperative to manage information, conduct audits, complete environmental permitting documentation, and implement cost-effective solutions to compliance.

APTIM is ranked first in the US for complex permitting, reporting, and planning for ongoing regulatory compliance—and we are ready to support all aspects of your programs.

Connect with our Environmental Compliance & Consulting team for support managing the inventory of environmental policies affecting your retail business.