EMS Accomplishments - Text Only

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2008
2007
2006
2005
2000-2004

CY2008 Accomplishments

1…To comply fully with the letter and spirit of all Federal, State, and local environmental laws and regulations.

EMS Documents reviewed and updated:
- Environmental Procedures 7, 19
- Legal and Other Requirements
- Aspects/Activities

2…To consider environmental factors when making planning, purchasing, and operating decisions.

Continued use of Green Purchasing BPA.
Renewed efforts to replace/remove unnecessary mercury thermometers.
Installed paper towel “regulators” to prevent waste.
Installed water saving devices (low flow aerators and dual flush valves).
DI Water recovered for reuse in boiler system.
Tracking mileage and gas use of GSA vehicles.
Reduction of lighting in common areas without compromising operations.

3…To work continuously to improve the effectiveness of our environmental management programs.

Addition of a SEE employee (yea!!)
Worked on Fuel EMP targets:
- Poster blitz showing benefits of rideshare/carpooling, flexiplace, hybrids, public transportation
- Created rideshare/carpool signup site
- Recognized new carpoolers
- Promoted vehicle/tire maintenance to improve mileage
Created EMP to cover all of the support activities the EMS Team does throughout the year.
Proposed two new EMPs to incorporate activities of the FMSB for energy and water conservation.

4…To provide appropriate training and educate employees to be environmentally responsible on the job.

Gave 38 new employee presentations.
ESC Staff completed required SHEMD EMS training.
Earth Day event in April promoting renewable energy sources.
Kept EMS intranet website updated.
Added (ESC only) EMS information on FMSB website.
Sponsored showing of environmental movie at lunch.
Sent e-mails educating staff on “waste-free” lunches, use of reusable bags, carpool/rideshareing, household hazardous waste recycling.

5…To monitor our environmental performance regularly through rigorous evaluations.

Management review 12/07.
Internal audit and surveillance audit.
Tracking of waste, purchasing and recycle streams.
Annual SHEMD survey.

6…To seek to prevent pollution before it is produced, reduce the amount of waste at our facility, re-use and recycle whenever possible, and support pollution prevention by our customers and suppliers.

America Recycles Day- collected shoes and phones.
Improved our ChemShare program and made three donations.
Set up book re-use table in lunchroom.
Set up collection box for recycling personal printer cartridges.

7…To maintain and improve the grounds of the ESC in an environmentally sensitive manner including land, water, wildlife and natural resources.

Continued maintenance of rain garden to control soil erosion and water runoff.
Awarded landscape contract to vendor committed to use of environmentally friendly chemicals on ESC grounds.

8…To use energy efficiently throughout our operations, and support the efficient use of gas and electricity in our facility.

Laboratory Optimization Control Project (LCOP)
- Running 4 air handlers to decrease total kilowatt usage.
- Dual switches installed in labs to decrease air volume.
- Decreased amount of grassy areas being mowed to save on gasoline use.

9…To work cooperatively with the local community and other stakeholders to further common environmental objectives.

Participated in SHEMD monthly conference calls.
Participated in Ft. Meade’s monthly Internal Transportation Workgroup and BRAC discussions.
Completed annual SHEMD survey.
Attended SHEM/EMS Workshop on improving and maintaining EMS where SHEM gave presentation on our ChemShare program.
Attended Federal Environmental Symposium.
Gave science project presentation on bluebirds to a local school.
Presentation on the Successes and Challenges of the ESC EMS for the Environmental Compliance/EMS/P2 Workshop for Federal Laboratories.

10…To communicate and reinforce this policy throughout our organizations.

Wrote one story for the Region 3 employee newsletter (The Protector) and submitted at least eight (9) salients to EAID.

CY2007 Activities and Accomplishments Linked to the ESC Policy Statement

1…To comply fully with the letter and spirit of all Federal, State, and local environmental laws and regulations.

EMS Documents reviewed and updated:

Environmental Procedures 3, 5, 6, 8, 9,10,13,14,15,16,18

All Operational Control Forms (11)
Legal and Other Requirements
EMS Manual

2…To consider environmental factors when making planning, purchasing, and operating decisions

Continued use of Green Purchasing BPA.

3…To work continuously to improve the effectiveness of our environmental management programs.

Used U of Md report to create new EMP.
Completed final report for Chemshare.
Revised chemical adoption program.
Started Fuel EMP.
Added new team member- from a different organization.
Recycle tip sheets updated

4…To provide appropriate training and educate employees to be environmentally responsible on the job.

Put safety and EMS icons on desktops.
Gave 24 new employee presentations.
Received 2 EMS training puzzles.
New EMS Team member trained.
Updated annual awareness training presentation. (but, waiting for SHEMD presentation to be launched)
Earth Day event in April (Rain Gardens).
Updated EMS website.
Gave 2 awards for Internal Audit Members (AT,NT).
Gave awards for Rain Garden participation (12)

5…To monitor our environmental performance regularly through rigorous evaluations.

Mgmt review 12/06.
Wrote SOW and procured a Lead internal auditor.
Completed internal audit and surveillance audit.
Tracking of waste, purchasing and recycle streams.
Completed annual SHEMD survey (with mgmt input).

Created rain garden.
Implemented chemical adoption program (two donations so far).
America Recycles Day-collect shoes, coats, phones.

7…To maintain and improve the grounds of the ESC in an environmentally sensitive manner including land, water, wildlife and natural resources.

Installation of rain garden

8…To use energy efficiently throughout our operations, and support the efficient use of gas and electricity in our facility.

Laboratory Optimization Control Project (LCOP)

9…To work cooperatively with the local community and other stakeholders to further common environmental objectives.

Participated in SHEMD conference calls.
Responded to the SHEMD National Goals survey.
Completed annual SHEMD survey (with mgt input)
Updated MOA for computer use.

10…To communicate and reinforce this policy throughout our organizations.

Wrote articles for the Region 3 employee newsletter (The Protector) and submitted salients.

EMS CY2006 Activities and Accomplishments

Several Environmental Procedures reviewed and updated:
- EP12 for records
- EP04 for new employee training and annual refresher
- EP02 Legal requirements for audits and who reviews requirements.
- EP07 Minor wording changes
Launched Annual Refresher presentation (close to 90 people completed training by Dec 1)
Updated and improved EMS website!
Completed EMP Chemical Resources Workgroup targets
Gave 24 new employee orientation presentations
Got 7 EMS Training puzzles from guards
Earth Day Event in April – see below
Two new Team members – Rebecca F. and Joe Dorsey
Artwork contest - created Team Member Signs and placed them outside each member’s cubicle for recognition
New form created to review Aspects
5 new suggestions – status incomplete
Set up EMS bulletin board in lunchroom
Participated in the development of the newly drafted SHEM National Goals
America Recycles Day – athletic shoe collection for NIKE
Lost 2 members- Alaa and Cecelia
Using contest winner entries for awareness displays (Norman first)
Awards for internal audit team (Debbie B and Mike Whitworth). Awards for members who have left (Debbie B and Alaa).
Award for Chemical resources workgroup (Diane, Rains, Ski, Arnold)
Decided on the next Significant Aspect to tackle: Fuel consumption of mobile sources

Participation in Fort Meade Earth Day Event
Presented Storm Drain Demonstration during Earth Day Event for Fort Meade. Discussed the reasons why used automobile oil should be taken to proper disposal facilities, such as gas stations. In addition, let children see how trash, and animal waste from pets, can find its way to the water ways. Many people attended (perhaps 200).

Environmental Science Center Earth Day Event
Showcased the ability to recycle, and reuse, many types of items.
Details: Many of the items were given to thrift stores, including the satellite dish. Alaa Kamel repaired the vacuum. A computer was used as a learning tool for kids. The monitor was given to surplus. Two items have yet to find homes.

Bring Kids to Work Day
Educational Outreach included hands on activities for kids to learn about recycling: crafts, making posters, edible landfill, videos.

Display Case in Lobby
Purchase of the Display Case in the Lobby to highlight EMS. This was purchased for a great price, but with a hitch. Rick Dreisch actually put together much of the display case. Mary Price helped out, too! The case is home to the Golden Groundhog Award.

Participation in Federal Environmental Symposium in May 2006
Represented ESC with a presentation and panel discussion for the implementation of EMS across the federal government.

EMS CY2005 Activities and Accomplishments

All 18 Environmental Procedures reviewed, updated and converted to Microsoft Word.
Created Environmental Procedure 19 to cover roles and responsibilities of EMS coordinators and team
Updated EMS Manual (ver.1.03) – now more of a training document
All but one Environmental Management Plan (Chemical Resources) placed in “inactive” file.
Separated Operational Control Forms from inactive EMPs
Created one ‘Legal and Other Requirements’ document and one ‘Training Requirements’ document
Created training presentations (PowerPoint): New Employees, New EMS Team Members
Created an EMS Training Crossword Puzzle for weekend staff (guards)
Added Green Power credit
America Recycles Day in Nov– Nike tennis shoes
Developed Green Meeting memo
Distributing Green Meeting memo to non-ESC (outside) conference room attendees
Earth Day Event in April – EMS awareness and cell phone recycling
One new Team member
27 new ESC employees trained
Award for Mick Yanchulis for Outstanding Team Member
Created an on-line EMS Refresher training presentation
Set up EMS bulletin board in lunchroom
Converted recycling amounts from bags to pounds
Facility started using new environmental EPA Supplies website - Corporate Express

ESC EMS Activities and Accomplishments 2000-2004

EMS Activities

Initial EMS Team Formed - August 10, 2000
EMS Awareness I Presentations - September 13 and 27, 2000
EMS Awareness II Presentations - March 20 and 21, 2002
Paper Consumption Work Group Launched - April 24, 2002
Initial Internal EMS Audit Conducted - June 18-21, 2002
Management Review - July 10, 2002
ISO 14001 Registration Audit Conducted - August 7-8, 2002
ISO 14001 Registration Awarded - October 23, 2002
Paper Work Group Final Report - December 13, 2002
New EMS Team Formed - March 25, 2003
Fuel Consumption and Water Consumption Work Group Launched - April 9, 2003
Water Consumption Work Group Launched - June 4, 2003
Chemical Resources Work Group (Phase 1 - Data Collection) Launched - June 4, 2003
Surveillance Audit Conducted - June 19-20, 2003
Internal EMS Audit Conducted - June 26, 27 and 30, 2003
Water Consumption Work Group Final Report - August 12, 2003
Fuel Consumption and Water Consumption Work Group Final Report - August 26, 2003
Waste Generation Work Group (Phase 1 - Data Collection) Launched - October 29, 2003
Management Review - December 16, 2003
Golden Groundhog Day to Promote EMS Awareness - February 12, 2004
Management Review – January 26, 2005

EMS Results Include:

Reduced paper copies by 24%.
Increased paper recycling by 5%.
Reduced electricity consumption 17%.
Reduced water consumption by 37%.
Trained other federal agencies to develop their own EMS.
Reduced chemical storage, only chemicals essential for operation on site.
Using 100% recycled-content process chlorine-free copy paper.

EMS Awards and Accomplishments:

White House “Closing the Circle” Award: ESC EMS Coordinator received the White House “Closing the Circle” Award in June 2003 for EMS Implementation and Outreach at the ESC. In many instances, the ESC EMS Coordinator received direct feedback from other facilities regarding ESC’s EMS education and outreach efforts. These facilities noted that these efforts saved them significant amounts of time and money.
EPA Silver Medal Award: The first ESC EMS Team, which was responsible for completing implementation of the ESC EMS, received the EPA Silver Medal Award for its work. The EPA Silver Medal Award is one of the highest awards presented by the Agency to employees. Participants in the first ESC EMS Team included Greg Allen, Rick Dreisch, Stevie Wilding, Leo Clark, Betty Kolbe, Cindy Metzger, Stephen Tomasino, Skip Weisberg, and Dallas Wright.
EMS Video Training Tools: The ESC co-produced a series of video training tools that were based on the ESC EMS.
Official Visit from White House Council on Environmental Quality and Office of the Federal Environmental Executive: James Connaughton, Chair, White House Council on Environmental Quality, and John Howard, the Federal Environmental Executive, attended a half-day briefing from Greg Allen on the ESC EMS. The officials gained a familiarity with the positive outcomes of the ESC EMS, and as a result, are expected to promote the value of EMS to other federal facilities.
Visit from Interagency Workgroup on Implementation of Executive Order 13148: The EMS subgroup of the federal Interagency Workgroup on Implementation of E.O. 13148 visited the ESC and attended a half-day presentation. The workgroup participants will use the lessons learned from the ESC while implementing EMS at their own facilities.

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