Take Action To Protect the Future NIH Green Initiatives Lab Managers Group December 11, 2008 Terry...
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Transcript of Take Action To Protect the Future NIH Green Initiatives Lab Managers Group December 11, 2008 Terry...
Take Action To Protect the Future
NIH Green InitiativesLab Managers Group
December 11, 2008
Terry [email protected]
2
Why is NIH Going Greener?
Federal and state environmental laws and regulations
– Executive Order 13423, “Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management”
• Requires Federal agencies to implement Environmental Management Systems (EMS), involve all employees in environmental awareness, continual environmental improvement
NIH Environmental Policy
– Approved by Dr. Zerhouni in January 2005
Support the NIH Mission: A healthier environment leads to better public health!
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NIH Building, Maintaining, Renovating, and Demolishing Facilities
– More than 75 buildings with 14 million square feet of laboratories, vivarium, patient care/clinical center space, offices, and shops
Laboratory Research
Clinical Center Activities
Office and Administrative
Procurement
Grants
General Services
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Environmental Issues of Concern Environmental Concerns are Public Health Concerns
Energy Consumption and Air Emissions
– Approximately $130 million in utilities FY08
– 6.6 trillion BTUs approximately equal to 53,000 houses
– Air emissions from burning coal and other fossil fuels to produce energy
– Climate change and health impacts from climate change
– Transportation
Degradation of the Chesapeake Bay and Local Waterways– NIH uses 1 billion gallons ($8 million) annually
– Stormwater runoff
Waste Management – 40,000 lbs of solid waste daily, 200 tons hazardous waste
annually
– Waste incinerated in Dickerson. Recycling and reducing is better
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What are the Major Components of the NEMS? Examine all NIH activities and how they impact the
environment
Recommend NIH environmental objectives
Determine polices and procedures as needed and assist with outreach and awareness to ensure all employees are aware
Conduct environmental awareness training for the NIH community
Perform audits
Prepare annual reports
Management reviews progress
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Performance Plan Elements – SES Level Supports Achievements in the HHS Environmental Stewardship and
Environmental Management System (EMS) and/or OPDIV-specific EMS initiatives that demonstrate:
– Exceptional: By September 30, 2009, develop and implement at least three business practices that are designed to improve HHS’ environmental performance and simultaneously serve to minimize costs. This may be through the elimination of paper centric processes, office based energy savings practices, green procurement or other sustainable business practices.
– Fully Successful: By September 30, 2009, develop and implement two initiatives focused on business practices that are designed to improve environmental performance, pollution prevention or conservation of resources.
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NIH Goes Greener
Sustainability Management TeamSustainability Management Team
NEMS Implementation TeamNEMS Implementation Team
Montgomery County Sites
• Poolesville Liaison
• Rockville Environmental Working Group
Montgomery County Sites
• Poolesville Liaison
• Rockville Environmental Working Group
Advisory Groups
• Energy Stewardship Advisory Group
• NEMS Communications Advisory Group
Advisory Groups
• Energy Stewardship Advisory Group
• NEMS Communications Advisory Group
Functional Working Groups
• Sustainable Facilities Working Group
• Sustainable Lab Practices Working Group
• Sustainable Office Practices Working Group
• Sustainable Animal Care Activities Working Group
• Sustainable Clinical Center Activities Working Group
Functional Working Groups
• Sustainable Facilities Working Group
• Sustainable Lab Practices Working Group
• Sustainable Office Practices Working Group
• Sustainable Animal Care Activities Working Group
• Sustainable Clinical Center Activities Working Group
Green Teams
• CIT
• NIDDK
• NIDCD
• NEI
• The Children’s Inn
• NCI sites
Green Teams
• CIT
• NIDDK
• NIDCD
• NEI
• The Children’s Inn
• NCI sites
Sustainability Management TeamSustainability Management Team
NEMS Implementation TeamNEMS Implementation Team
Montgomery County Sites
• Poolesville Liaison
• Rockville Environmental Working Group
Montgomery County Sites
• Poolesville Liaison
• Rockville Environmental Working Group
Advisory Groups
• Energy Stewardship Advisory Group
• NEMS Communications Advisory Group
Advisory Groups
• Energy Stewardship Advisory Group
• NEMS Communications Advisory Group
Functional Working Groups
• Sustainable Facilities Working Group
• Sustainable Lab Practices Working Group
• Sustainable Office Practices Working Group
• Sustainable Animal Care Activities Working Group
• Sustainable Clinical Center Activities Working Group
Functional Working Groups
• Sustainable Facilities Working Group
• Sustainable Lab Practices Working Group
• Sustainable Office Practices Working Group
• Sustainable Animal Care Activities Working Group
• Sustainable Clinical Center Activities Working Group
Green Teams
• CIT
• NIDDK
• NIDCD
• NEI
• The Children’s Inn
• NCI sites
Green Teams
• CIT
• NIDDK
• NIDCD
• NEI
• The Children’s Inn
• NCI sites
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NIH Green Teams Green Teams examine activities occurring within their institute and
develop tools to "green" those activities. This includes developing guidance, tools, outreach programs and best management practices, as well as identifying new opportunities to become more sustainable.
– NEI: Focus on recycling
– NIDDK: Increase recycling, minimize paper, raise awareness through brown bags and awards
– NCI, NIAID: Looking at options for developing teams
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NIH Green Teams: NIDCD
NIDCD Environmental Policy
– NIDCD Commitments
– Employee Responsibilities
NIDCD Goes Greener Office Challenge
– Evaluate: Copy rooms, conference rooms, common areas, kitchens for energy conservation, recycling, procurement, paper use, transportation
– Provide outreach tools and fact sheets
– Re-evaluate for final results
Green Team Development Guide
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Labs Go Greener Challenge
Data Collection
– Equipment
– Water Use Activities
– Target Chemical Usage
– Fume Hoods
Pilot Evaluation in a Few Labs
– Energy conservation, recycling, green purchasing, fume hoods, chemical management, water conservation, hazardous waste disposal, chemical minimization, fossil fuel use
– Roll out to all of NIH
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Sustainable Labs WG: NIH Target Chemicals Ranking
Identify chemicals for reduction: Risk-basked criteria for use in targeting and prioritizing laboratory chemical waste streams for reduction efforts
– Direct risk to health and safety
– Wastes subject to specific reduction mandates by law, executive orders, and agency plans
– Availability and feasibility of alternatives
– Quantity
Develop awareness program
Track results
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Sustainable Labs WG: Six Target Chemicals Chromic Acid
– Detergent substitute for chromic acid. Non-toxic, phosphate-free, chlorine-free, and completely free-rinsing
Phosphoric Acid
Picric Acid– Alternative fixers
Ethidium bromide– Non-toxic, non-mutagenic alternatives
Ethylene oxide
Phenol/chloroform
14
Sustainable Labs WG: Green Procurement
Recent presentations from Sigma-Aldrich and Fisher Scientific/Thermo Scientific
Environmentally preferable procurement for purchasers of scientific supplies, equipment, and services
Purchase office supplies and furniture that contain recycled and non-toxic content to conserve natural resources and reduce waste. GSA and EPA websites
Products should be from local as opposed to distant manufacturers where possible
Products should use minimal or take-back packaging
Staples Initiative
Self-Service Stores
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Recycling Initiatives for Lab Materials Exploring new opportunities for recycling for laboratory related materials
Existing programs include:– Glass and plastic bottles containing non-hazardous waste (saline
solutions, buffers, etc) may be placed in red NIH commingled recycling containers. Glassware can be recycled, except Pyrex.* *Do not recycle containers contaminated with infectious, radioactive, or hazardous waste.
– Propylene pipette racks recycled on campus
– Chemical reagent bottles are recycled in bldg 21 as applicable
– Recycle cardboard
Check with your laboratory supply companies for other opportunities
An updated Waste Disposal Guide will be released later this year and will contain recycling information
For more information: Mark Marshall, NIH Recycling Coordinator; 301.496.7990; [email protected]
16
NIH Mercury Policy Manual Issuance As of September 2, 2008, the procurement and use of
mercury and its compounds and mercury contaminated products are now prohibited on all NIH facilities
There are a few general exceptions for items like fluorescent lights that require small amounts mercury to work properly
Key components:
– Prohibit the procurement of mercury added products with NIH appropriated funds
– Prohibit use of mercury and its compounds on all facilities owned, operated, or leased by NIH
– Require the elimination of existing mercury containing devices in use on NIH facilities
– Provide for exceptions or procedures for obtaining variances for necessary scientific and medical uses of mercury
17
Mercury Free NIH
NIH Catalyst article: http://www.nems.nih.gov/outreach/mercury-freeNIH_Catalyst_jan-feb08.pdf
Read the full NO MERCURY policy at NIH: http://www.nems.nih.gov/records/NIH_Manual_Issuance_3033.pdf
Mercury-free alternatives: http://orf.od.nih.gov/Environmental+Protection/Mercury+Free/Alternatives.htm
Extended mercury website is under development
For more information: Captain Ed Rau at 301.496.7775 or [email protected]
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What are Some of the NIH Energy Objectives? Reduce energy consumption by 3% annually or 30% by 2015
– Audit 10% of facilities every year
– Matrix of energy technologies in use or explored for use at NIH
– New programs to remotely enable ENERGY STAR computers and purchasing efficient computers
– Meter buildings and share results
– Use animal bedding as biomass
– Solar panels
Greening all NIH facilities including leased buildings
– 36 existing buildings registered for LEED
Increase purchase of renewable energy to 7.5% by 2013
– Currently purchase at least 3.5% from renewable resources: wind, sun, biogas
19
What Can Employees Do to Reduce Energy Consumption?
Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)
– Saves 350 lbs coal, 500 lbs greenhouse gases, and 16 acid rain producing emissions
Switch off unnecessary lights and use natural lighting
Use task lighting and turn off general lighting
Turn off display and decorative lighting
Sensors can result in a 40% reduction in lighting costs
Energy vampires
– Unplug equipment (e.g., phone chargers, radios, coffee makers) when not in use
Use the stairs instead of the elevator
Use reusable items when possible:
– Plates, cups, utensils, water bottles, and grocery bags
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Greening General Operations and Procurement Procurement: The EPEAT Standard (epeat.net). Computers are rated
gold, silver, or bronze based on:– Reduction/elimination of environmentally sensitive materials
– Materials selection
– Design for end of life
– Product longevity/life cycle extension
– Energy conservation
– End of life management
– Corporate performance
– Packaging
Operation– Enable the low-power or sleep mode features on your computer and monitor
– Turn off computers and monitors at the end of the workday• Sleep-mode enabled computers and monitors with the low-power or sleep mode
enabled can save $10 to $45 per computer annually (ENERGY STAR estimate)
• 60,000 desktop computers and monitors x ($27) $1.6 million in energy costs a year!
21
Greening General Operations Operations: Printing and Copying
– Use recycled-content paper with a minimum 30% post-consumer fiber content
– Copy and print all materials double-sided
– Set your default print settings to duplex
– Minimize the number of hard copies and paper drafts
– Disable the printer test page feature
– Set fax machines to print a confirmation sheet only when there is a problem
– Save documents on your hard drive to create a virtual filing system instead of printing out hard copies
– Turn off printers and copy machines at the end of the workday
– Use copiers instead of printers to produce multiple copies
– Configure the power saving features so that printers go into sleep mode when not used for more than 30 minutes during the workday
22
Transportation Commuting options that can ease traffic
congestion, decrease pollution, and reduce the stress:
– Ride Metro, Buses or other Public Transportation
• Join the NIH Transhare Program: http://dtts.ors.od.nih.gov/transhare.htm
– Join a Carpool or Vanpool
– Bike to Work • Visit the NIH Bicycle Commuter Club’s web
site for more information: http://www.recgov.org/r&w/nihbike
– NIH Shuttles
– Telecommuting options
– Learn more online at http://telework.od.nih.gov/Index.htm
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NEMS Outreach Tools
NEMS - Program Poster NEMS - Waste Information Poster
NEMS - Energy BillPoster
NEMS - Medical ResearchPoster