ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (EMS) BASIC TRAINING

Davis Location, CA

Executive Order 13148Greening the Government

Through Leadership in

Environmental Management

Course Outline

SECTION ONE Why do we have an EMS

and what is it anyway?

SECTION TWO Major Concepts

SECTION THREE Your participation

SECTION ONE

Why do we have an EMS and what is it anyway?

EMS

What is an EMS?

An EMS is a framework that allows an organization to address the effects its operations have on the environment.

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

Why do we have an EMS?

Required by E.O. 13243 Originated by E.O. 13148

USDA, ARS policy

Reduce our environmental footprint

It’s the responsible thing to do!!

Executive Order 13243

Issued by President Bush on Jan. 24, 2007 Demonstrate environmental leadership within

the federal government Ensure that Federal agencies adopt lowest

life-cycle cost environmental practices Ensure Federal facilities are responsible

members of their communities Builds on E.O. 13148 issued in 2000

Benefits of EMS

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

issues

SECTION TWO

Major Concepts of EMS

Plan

DoCheck

Act

The Continuous Cycle Plan

Planning, 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

EMS Major Components

Policy/Commitment Planning Implementation Check/Review Final Management Review/Audit

Davis Location EMS Policy

The Davis Location Environmental Policy describes our approach to environmental management. All Location Personnel should understand that our EMS Policy:

Applies to ALL Location Personnel Commits to environmental compliance Commits to pollution prevention Commits to continual improvement Will shortly be available on our EMS webpage*

Planning Phase

Identify Activities, Products, and Services List Environmental Aspects, i.e., causes, of each

activity List Environmental Impacts, i.e., effects, of each

Aspect Rank Environmental Impacts in order of Significance Set goals, i.e., a defined per cent reduction over a

set time period, for improving those items ranked “Significant”

Definitions

Activities – A major function that is done at your location Research Laboratory work, Greenhouse work,

Field work, Building Maintenance Products – Something generated at your

location for internal or external customers Peer Reviewed Research Publications

Services – An action done for a customer Providing of germplasm for research purposes

More Definitions Environmental Aspect (Cause) – The

elements of an organization’s activities, products, or services which can interact with the environment.

Environmental Impact (Effect) – Any change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from an organizations activities, products, or services.

Davis Location Activities, Aspects, & Impacts Laboratory Research

Aspect: Hazardous chemicals usage Impact: Generation of hazardous waste

Aspect: Radioactive materials usage Impact: Potential unintended release of radioactivity to

environment with resultant high cost of cleanup Aspect: Wastewater discharges

Impact: Potential adverse impact at water treatment plant from hazardous materials in the wastewater

Davis Location Activities, Aspects, & Impacts Field Research

Aspect: Application of Agricultural Pesticides Impact: Generation of hazardous or universal waste

Aspect: Field Plot Maintenance Impact: Potential contamination of land, water, or

air. Aspect: Use of Water (Irrigation)

Impact: Depletion of natural resources: surface or ground water usage, fossil fuel or electricity for pumps

Davis Location’s Activities, Aspects, & Impacts Facility Construction Projects

Aspect: Construction of Existing Facilities Impact: Generation of solid and/or hazardous waste

Aspect: Construction of New Facilities Impact: Depletion of natural resources (fossil fuels,

construction materials)

Davis Location Activities, Aspects, & Impacts

Facility Operations Aspect: Office Use of Electronic Equipment

Impact: Generation of recyclable waste (paper, batteries, toner cartridges)

Aspect: Generation of Hazardous Facility Waste (spent solvents, used oil, fluorescent lamps, excess furniture) Impact: Cost for Disposal

Aspect: Temperature Control of Buildings Impact: Potential Ozone Depletion from unintended

release of refrigerants

Davis Location Activities, Aspects, & Impacts Facility Operations (continued)

Aspect: Motor Vehicle Operations Impact: Generation of used oil, contaminated rags,

used antifreeze, tires, batteries, and air emissions. Aspect: Custodial Operations (Use of cleaning products, paper, water, energy)

Impact: Depletion of natural resources and contamination of land

Aspect: Grounds Maintenance Impact: Depletion of natural resources (pesticides,

fertilizer, water use, fossil fuels)

Davis Location Significant Environmental Aspects Purchasing of

Hazardous Chemicals Use of Hazardous

Chemicals Application of

Pesticides, Herbicides Generation of Waste

(Hazardous, Solid, & Universal)

Office Products/Paper Consumption

Use of Electronic Equipment

Building Temperature Control

Grounds and Custodial Operations

Motor Vehicle Operations

SECTION THREE

YOUR PARTICIPATION

E M

SYO

U

Objectives and Targets

Full Compliance with Regulations Reduce Waste Streams

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

Your Participation

All personnel at the Location have EMS roles and responsibilities. Your level of participation will vary according to the work you perform. At a minimum, you are responsible for knowing:

The commitments of the Environmental Policy How your job functions impact the environment The procedures and protocols of your job, and adhering

to them The potential environmental impacts of departing from

the procedures and protocols of your job The legal and other requirements of your job

Minimizing Environmental Impacts

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Reduce your use of resources such as water. Reuse resources such as office supplies Recycle all batteries, paper, electronics, toner cartridges, metal objects, glass and plastic containers, fluorescent light bulbs, and other materials.

Purchasing Requirements – Government purchasing agents, including credit card holders, are required to follow the Affirmative (Green) Procurement Plan.

Carpool – Conserve fuel by carpooling to field sites or other work related destinations.

An objective of EMS is to reduce environmental impacts.

Below are ways you can support this objective:

Benefits of EMS

Minimizing environmental impacts help:

Protect human health, and well being of the environment

Promote a good relationship with the community

Save money through resource conservation Support the mission of the Location by

preserving resources needed to do the research

Top Ten Pollution Prevention Techniques1. Good housekeeping and

maintenance practices

2. Spill prevention and preparedness

3. Inventory management

4. Prudent purchasing

5. Waste exchange programs

6. Alternate cleaning processes

7. Reduce/reuse process wastes

8. Process modifications

9. Changes in equipment or technology

10.Environmentally sensitive purchasing

RECYCLING The Davis Location is a cooperative recycling

facility with UC Davis We recycle our….

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

Recycling - Office Products

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 Unit is responsible for deciding how best to collect their recyclables. Paper recycling bins are available at no charge from EH&S.

Almost any paper product that can be easily

torn can be recycled!!

Recycling – Glass and Plastic

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

Each Unit is responsible for deciding how best to collect their recyclables. Collection sites should be in place.Pickups are done by EH&S on an as needed basis.

Any glass or plastic product that can be

easily rinsed can be recycled!! All colors of glass and

any type of plastic are OK!!

Recycling - Lab Glass/Plastic Lab glassware and plastic must be discarded as

hazardous waste. All other glass and plastic items should be recycled, by placing the items in the appropriate recycling containers.

Each lab should use the host UC Department’s recycling protocols.

WHNRC personnel should use the recycling program that is in place.

KEEP GLASS AND PLASTIC SEPARATE

Hazardous Waste

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

All labs, fields, and greenhouses produce hazardous wastes in their daily activities. Use collection and disposal procedures already in place.

Know what you are working with!

Universal Waste Universal waste regulations streamline

collection requirements for certain hazardous wastes into the following categories:

Batteries Pesticides Mercury-Containing Thermostats Lamps

eCycling – Recycling Old Electronics Do you know what to do with old computers,

copiers, scientific equipment, and related items?

Each Unit has protocols in place to collect and recycle Old Electronics.

Know and use the recycling protocols that apply to you!

Your Waste Contact

For more information about hazardous wastes, universal wastes, or recycling or disposal of electronic equipment, please contact: Your EMS Coordinator, CDSO, or building

manager, who are all your EMS contacts!

Example Universal Waste Shipment

Spill Prevention

Spills generate waste!!

By preventing spills, you can prevent hazardous releases and avoid associated disposal costs.

To Avoid Accidental Spills…

Train employees in proper use of chemicals, apparatus, instruments, and tools

Use pipetting aids, spigots and pumps instead of pouring liquids

Store materials securely and away from traffic

Housekeeping and Maintenance Lab clutter contributes to knocked-over

containers while also impairing efficiency and morale.

Use secondary containment where appropriate.

Inspect and maintain equipment routinely.

Replace seals and gaskets on a regular basis.

Use tight-fitting lids to prevent evaporation. Eliminate spills, overflows, leaks, ruined

samples, and accidents with preplanning – this reduces wastes, costs, and stress!

Inventory Management The Davis Location conducts annual chemical and

pesticide inventories using the CIS/CUPA.

The inventory is available to local officials and emergency response personnel to help them better prepare in the event of an emergency.

Personnel may use the CIS/CUPA system to facilitate sharing of chemicals where possible. It is better to obtain from a coworker than to have duplicative chemical inventory that will eventually be disposed of as hazardous waste. This helps prevent pollution and SAVES MONEY!!!

Inventory Management Tips Label all secondary containers with contents

and date to avoid costly and hazardous “unknowns”

Use secondary containment to prevent spills Rotate inventory so older material is used

first Purchase only what you will use now

Prudent Purchasing

Buy only the amount of chemicals that you will use within a short time

Buy durable apparatus and equipment that can be repaired and maintained

Coordinate or centralize purchasing to avoid unnecessary purchases

Buy Green Products when available

Prudent Purchasing Buy “Right Size” NOT “Economy Size”

Environmentally Preferable Purchasingaka: Affirmative ProcurementDefinition:

Products or services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose

Materials Substitution In some cases, labs are unable to make

substitutions due to required protocols

However, opportunities do exist beyond chemical substitution; such as alternatives – for example, all mercury thermometers should have been replaced by now

Ask your vendors to keep you informed when new, less-hazardous products become available – also research this out yourself

Affirmative procurement means examining the pollution prevention practices of your vendors and subcontractors

Affirmative Procurement

Provide support – change habits Old habits die hard

Employees need support through both motivational and technical hurdles

Initial training and periodic refreshers are essential to continuing pollution prevention success

Summary

Being a good environmental steward is everyone’s business. Performing your job in an environmentally safe and sound manner benefits us all by protecting the health of the surrounding ecosystem, preserving resources for future generations, being good neighbors, minimizing mission impact due to non-compliance issues, and saving money by decreasing wasted resources.

Also…

As a member of the surrounding community, you are responsible for performing your job in an environmentally safe and sound manner by knowing how your job impacts the environment, adhering to operating procedures, knowing the potential environmental impacts of departing from these operating procedures, and by knowing the requirements of your job.

QUESTIONS?

Congratulations and Thank you!!!You have completed Initial EMS Awareness

Training!

For more information or to actively participate in EMS implementation, please contact an EMS Committee member:

Dan Kluepfel, Location Coordinator, 752-1137

Giovanni Bartolini, EMS Coordinator, 792-5707

Michael Thalken, WHNRC Building Manager, 752-3796

Bill Keyes, WHNRC CDSO, 752-5217

Peter Colowit, CPGRU CDSO, 752-8303

Jeff Moersfelder, NCGRU CDSO, 752-2747