EPA New England: Greening Our Operations

Environmental Management Systems

EPA New England Regional Laboratory (NERL), Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Boston Office	New England Regional Laboratory

In April 2003, the New England Regional Laboratory located in Chelmsford, Massachusetts received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold rating certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Our Environmental Management System (EMS) helped us achieve this environmental excellence and serve as a model for green building initiatives.

We've reached several important milestones in our efforts to implement our EMS:

• EPA Headquarters EMS certification achieved November 25, 2005
• Environmental Policy originally approved by management on December 20, 2002, revised August 19, 2004 and reissued by new Director in August 2005
• First complete EMS cycle completed August 2004
• EMS Training completed by employees and contractors (April – November 2004)

We’ve achieved significant environmental benefits through the implementation of our EMS:

• Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) computer monitors and Energy Star rated cathode ray tube computer monitors are saving more than 30,000kwh per year.
• Received 2005 BTU Buster Award from EPA Headquarters for 11% energy reduction from 2004 to 2005.
• Achieved 2% energy reduction goal under Energy Policy Act of 2005 conservation mandate.
• Recycling tracking program increases accountability for on-site waste and helps in tracking of recycling trends; our recycling rates have increased from 2004 (cardboard by 182% and mixed paper by 169%)
• Waterless urinals in men’s restrooms save 25,000 gallons of water per year
• Boat engine upgrades (from 4-stroke to 2-stroke) reduce fuel usage and release of exhaust emissions and pollutants to the environment.
• Conversion from small, portable tanks to a liquid nitrogen bulk tank and delivery system improves efficiency and worker safety.

To learn more about the EMS in our lab:

Environmental Policy, Approved July 2005 (PDF) (1 pg, 89K, about PDF)
A statement of our commitment to the environment that serves as a framework for planning and action

Significant Environmental Aspects, Revised May 2005 (PDF) (1 pg, 37K, about PDF)
The environmental attributes (impacts) of our products, activities and services

Objectives & Targets, Revised May 2005 (PDF) (1 pg, 24K, about PDF)
Our environmental goals, in line with our policy, impacts, the views of interested parties and other factors

Other Links
New England Regional Laboratory Green Building Design
Learn more about EPA New England's award-winning, state-of-the-art green building.

Greening EPA Facilities
To learn more about the unique features of this green building

Greening Our Operations: EMS EPA New England Regional Office, Boston, MA

New England Environmental Management Systems
Contacts, projects, resources and other information about EMS in New England

Environmental Management Systems
National EPA site for EMS implementation and resources for specific sectors including businesses, state and federal agencies. Benefits, costs, FAQs, and lots more

Executive Order 13148, Greening the Government through Leadership in Environmental Management

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), U.S. Building Council
Voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings

Green Buildings, EPA New England
A portal to a wide range of information from EPA and other sources

Regional Snapshot Both EPA New England facilities, Boston office and Chelmsford laboratory, have received EMS certification from headquarters.