Environmental Management System (EMS)

Annual Refresher Training

What is an EMS?

• A framework that allows an organization to address the effects its operations may have on the environment.

• Key EMS concepts:– Pollution prevention (P2)– Compliance with environmental laws and regs– Continual improvement

EMS: The Continuous

Cycle

PlanPlanning, identifying environmental aspects and establishing goals

DoImplementing, includes training and operational controls

CheckChecking, includes monitoring and corrective action

ActReviewing, includes progress reviews and acting to make needed changes

Tifton EMS Policy

The ARS Tifton Environmental Policy describes our approach to environmental management. Personnel should understand that the EMS Policy:

Applies to ALL Commits to environmental compliance Commits to pollution prevention Commits to continual improvement Is available on the EMS website

Sounds nice, but WHY?• Required by Executive Order 13148• USDA ARS policy

• Also, there are benefits…

– Improve environmental awareness– Reduce environmental impacts– Resource savings: natural and monetary– Meet regulatory compliance– Better community image– Better communication about environmental

issues

How do we get started?

1. Identify our Activities: What we do every day

2. Identify the Environmental Aspects (Cause): Elements of the Activities that can interact with the environment

3. Identify the Environmental Impacts (Effect): Environmental changes that result from our Activities

4. Make improvements.

LaboratoryAspects Impacts

• Purchase and Use of Hazardous Chemicals

• Use of Radioactive Chemicals

• Wastewater discharges

• Generation of hazardous waste

• Possible release and cost for cleanup

• Water treatment plant from sinks or floor drains

Facility OperationsAspects Impacts

• Temperature control of buildings

• Custodial Operations (use of cleaning products,

paper, water, energy)

• Vehicle Operations

• Ozone depletion

• Depletion of natural resources and land contamination

• Generation of used oil, tires, batteries, antifreeze, air emissions

FieldAspects Impacts

• Application of Agricultural Pesticides

• Field Plot Maintenance

• Use of water (irrigation)

• Generation of hazardous or universal waste

• Potential contamination of land, water, or air

• Depletion of natural resources

OfficeAspects Impacts

• Use of Electronic Equipment

• Generation of recyclable waste (paper, batteries, toner cartridges)

• Generation of electronic waste

• Use of electric energy

Tifton’s Significant Environmental Aspects

• Priority Chemical Reduction

• Purchasing of Hazardous Chemicals

• Use of Hazardous Chemicals

• Application of Hazardous Chemicals

• Office Products/Paper Consumption

• Use of Electronic Equipment

• Generation of Waste (Hazardous, Solid, Universal)

• Building Temperature Control

• Grounds and Custodial Operations

• Motor Vehicle Operations

Our Objectives and Targets

• Full Compliance with Regulations• Reduce Waste Streams

– Hazardous, Solid, and Universal• Reduce Energy Consumption• Recycle• Green Purchasing• Pollution Prevention

E.O. 13148 TARGETS• 40% reduction in release and off-site transfers

of toxic chemicals by Dec. 31, 2006• 50% reduction of priority chemicals by

Dec. 31, 2006 (extended)– Mercury, Cadmium, Lead, Napthalene, and

PCB’s• Reduction in ozone depleting substances –

– Phase out Class I ODS by Dec. 31, 2010– Phase out Class II ODS by Dec. 31, 2015

What you can do…• Recycle! Batteries, boxes, paper, cans….

• Reuse! Boxes, paper, petri dishes, pots….

• Reduce! Water, chemicals, electronic vs. paper…

• Turn off lights, turn down thermostats• Use timers, power-save, standby • Purchasing – think GREEN!• Do YOU perform your job in a manner

that minimizes environmental impacts?

RECYCLING• ARS Tifton IS a recycling facility.• We recycle our….

– Office Products– Plastics– Glassware– Steel, Tin, or Aluminum cans– All Batteries– Electronic Equipment– Cardboard

Recycling - Office Products

Almost any paper product that can be easily torn can be recycled!!

• Examples: Newspapers, catalogs, files, copy paper, colored paper, binder dividers, letterhead, forms, invoices, envelopes, index cards, phone books, post-it notes, shredded paper, construction paper, wrapping paper, paper with labels attached, packing paper, and much more.

Each program/lab is responsible for deciding how best to collect their recyclables. Paper recycling bins are available, at no charge, for your building or office. Contact Tom Maze at 386-3496.

Recycling – Glass and Plastic

Any glass or plastic product that can be easily rinsed can be recycled!! All colors of glass andany type of plastic are OK!!

• Examples: Glass solvent bottles, broken beakers and flasks, plastic jugs and tubs, drink bottles, etc.

Each program/lab is responsible for deciding how best to collect their recyclables. Collection sites have been established for eachUnit. Pickups are done on an as needed basis.

Recycling - Lab Glass/PlasticKEEP GLASS AND PLASTIC SEPARATE

All lab glassware and plastic must be TRIPLE rinsed before recycling. The rinse waste created from particularly hazardous chemicals/solvents should be collected as hazardous waste. These may include but are not limited to methylene chloride, chloroform, phenol, ether, etc. Most acid, base, salt, and alcohol rinses can go down the drain after proper neutralization. Use common sense or when in doubt - ASK SOMEONE!!

Each program/lab is responsible for deciding how best tocollect their recyclables. Broken glass containers can easily beconverted to recycling containers.

Hazardous Waste

• A waste with properties that make it dangerous, or capable of having a harmful effect on human health and the environment.

• Many of our labs produce hazardous wastes in their daily activities. Please continue to follow proper collection and disposal techniques.

• Know what you are working with and dispose of it properly!

Universal Waste• Universal waste regulations streamline collection

requirements for certain hazardous wastes into the following categories:

* Batteries - Lead acid but we collect ALL types* Pesticides - Collect then dispose of through

Georgia Clean Day* Mercury-Containing Thermostats* Lamps – All except tungsten (i.e. halogen, neon, fluorescent)

eCycling – Recycling ElectronicsDo you know what to do with old computers, copiers, scientific equipment, televisions, etc?

e-CYCLE IT!!!Items that can be e-cycled: Computers, hard-drives, keyboards, printers, televisions, VCR/DVD players, cell phones, telephones, radios, pagers, digital equipment, scanners, copiers, scientific equipment, and much, much more…….

DOSave old, broken, or unused electronic equipment for recycling!DON’T Throw any electronic equipment in the dumpster!

Our Universal/Electronic Waste Shipment

Your Waste Contact• For more information about hazardous wastes,

universal wastes, or recycling or disposal of electronic equipment, please contact:– Tom Hendricks, Collateral Duty Safety Officer,

(229) 387-2392.

Prudent Purchasing

• Buy only the amount of chemicals that you will use within a reasonable time period

• Buy durable apparatus and equipment that can be repaired and maintained

• Coordinate or centralize purchasing to avoid unnecessary purchases

• Buy Green Products when available Paper Energy-efficient products Biofuels

Buying GreenThere are six components to the Federal green purchasing program:– Recycled content products– Energy Star and FEMP-designated energy

efficient products, low standby power devises, and renewable energy

– Biobased products– Alternative fuel vehicle/alternative fuel– Environmentally preferable products and services– Non-ozone depleting substances

Make these your first choice if possible.

On-line Resources• Tifton EMS webpage-

www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=12538• Biobased Products Program -

www.biobased.oce.usda.gov• Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines -

www.epa.gov/cpg• Office of the Federal Environmental Executive -

www.ofee.gov• EPA-EMS - www.epa.gov/ems

• Safety, Health, and Environmental Mgmt. –www.afm.ars.usda.gov/shem/environmental.htm

THE END

Remember – It IS easy being GREEN!

QUESTIONS?