ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ANNUAL TRAINING

TIFTON, GA

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?

A framework that allows an organization to address the effects its operations may 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 right 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

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

Planning Phase

Identify Activities, Products, and Services List Environmental Aspects of each activity List Environmental Impacts of each Aspect Rank Environmental Impacts in order of

Significance Set goals for improving those items ranked

“Significant”

Definitions

Activities – A major function that is done at your location Fuel storage, vehicle operation, building

maintenance Products – Something you generate at your

location for internal or external customers Services – An action done for a customer

Custodial

More Definitions Environmental Aspect (Cause) – Are the

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

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

Tifton’s Activities, Aspects, & Impacts Laboratory Research

Aspect: Purchasing Hazardous Chemicals Impact: Generation of hazardous waste

Aspect: Use of Hazardous Chemicals Impact: Generation of hazardous waste

Aspect: Use of Radioactive Chemicals Impact: Possible release and the cost for cleanup

Wastewater Discharges Impact: Potential impact at water treatment plant

from sinks or floor drains

Tifton’s 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

Tifton’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)

Tifton’s 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: Ozone Depletion

Tifton’s 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)

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

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 have roles and responsibilities at the location for EMS. 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 impacts the environment The procedures/protocols of your job and adhering to

them The potential environmental impacts of departing from

the procedures 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 scraps, metal cans, glass and plastic containers, and fluorescent light bulbs, etc.

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 the surrounding ecosystem

Promote a good relationship with surrounding community and emergency services

Save money through resource conservation Support the mission by prioritizing

environmental issues and focusing resources on those with the greatest significance

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 preferable purchasing

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

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.

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 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.

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 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 to

collect their recyclables. Broken glass containers can easily be

converted to recycling containers.

KEEP GLASS AND PLASTIC SEPARATE

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 Tifton’s 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 Pesticides Mercury-Containing Thermostats Lamps

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

copiers, scientific equipment, televisions, etc?

“Plug-In To eCycling” is a consumer electronics campaign working to increase the number of electronic devices collected and safely recycled in the United States.

Launched in January 2003, as part of EPA’s Conservation Resource Challenge.

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.

Tifton’s Universal Waste Shipment

Georgia Clean Day

The Georgia Department of Agriculture organizes the program which gives everyone an opportunity to discard old, unusable, or cancelled pesticides at no charge.

ARS Tifton has taken advantage of this great opportunity to dispose of unwanted pesticides here on our campus.

Tifton’s Georgia Clean Day Items

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. Reducing spills, overflows, leaks, ruined samples,

and accidents prevents pollution-- while also reducing materials, costs,

and stress!

Inventory Management Proper management ensures that your

inventory is an asset, not a pollution prevention liability.

Inventory Management ARS Tifton conducts annual chemical and pesticide

inventories.

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

Also, employees may reference the inventory when a small amount/one time use of a chemical is needed. It is better to borrow from a coworker than have excess chemicals on hand that will eventually be disposed of as hazardous waste. This helps prevent pollution and SAVES MONEY!!!

Inventory Management Tips Label all containers with contents and date to

avoid costly and hazardous “unknowns” Use secondary containers to prevent spills

and leaks Rotate inventory so older material is used

first Purchase only what you will use

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

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 to mercury thermometers

Ask your vendors to keep you informed when new, less-hazardous products become available

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 EMS Annual Awareness

Training.

Your feedback allows us to continually improve the EMS. For more information or to actively participate in EMS implementation, please contact:

Tamara Snipes, EMS Coordinator

(229) 387- 2344