Ocala Recycling, located in Ocala, Fla., has become the first facility to be certified to the Recycling Industry Operating Standard.
"Ocala Recycling is extremely proud to be the first RIOS-certified facility. We hope that this builds momentum and excitement for RIOS in the industry so that others seek and complete RIOS certification," said John Bianculli, Ocala's Director of Systems Implementation.
"RIOS will make you a better company, make management's life easier, and save your company substantial money while improving your company's image to employees, customers and consumers," Bianculli added.
To receive its RIOS certification, this past summer Ocala underwent a two-stage initial certification audit conducted by SGS Systems & Services Certification. The Stage 1 audit included a review of Ocala's RIOS documentation to ensure its readiness for a Stage 2 audit.
During the Stage 2 audit, SGS visited all operations within Ocala's facility and interviewed employees over three days to audit Ocala's RIOS management system against the requirements of RIOS; at the same, the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board assessed SGS as part of the RIOS accreditation process.
SGS was accredited by ANAB as the first RIOS Certification Body on Oct. 30, 2009. Developed by ISRI and ISRI members, RIOS is the industry's integrated management system standard for quality, environment, and health and safety. RIOS provides a systematic framework for any recycler to use—regardless of size, type, or scrap handled—to achieve measurable, continual improvement in QEH&S performance, without the need to spend time and money developing and implementing three different systems. Improved QEH&S performance shows up in a better bottom line.
“I commend Ocala Recycling LLC on becoming the first Recycling Industry Operating Standard (RIOS) certified facility in the world – this is a distinguished honor for Ocala Recycling and for Marion County,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). “This standard developed by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries is designed to combine quality, environmental, and health and safety controls into a single management system. Being the first facility certified underscores the commitment of Ocala Recycling in leading the way in operating as a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible recycler.”