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Integrating Electronics Stewardship into Your Environmental Management System (EMS)

Integrating Electronics Stewardship into Your Environmental Management System (EMS) Bill Kulas Department of Veterans Affairs VISN 1 Environmental Protection Manager Topics of Discussion: The Department of Veterans Affairs Green Environmental Management System (GEMS)

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Integrating Electronics Stewardship into Your Environmental Management System (EMS)

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  1. Integrating Electronics Stewardship into Your Environmental Management System (EMS) Bill KulasDepartment of Veterans Affairs VISN 1 Environmental Protection Manager

  2. Topics of Discussion: • The Department of Veterans Affairs Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) • Integrating the management of electronics into GEMS • The GEMS Guidebook • Nine Steps to Establish a Successful GEMS • The Facility Perspective • The significant aspects/impacts of electronics and the GEMS Program

  3. GEMS Guidebook • Intro, Quick Fix/Find Tables. • EMS Concepts. • 9-Steps to Implementation. • Sample Environmental Aspect/Impacts templates for Operating Units. • Sample Policies & Procedures. • Evaluation Tool – E-SAFE. • Technical Resources.

  4. Appoint GEMS Coordinator and Committee 1 2 Train GEMS Committee 7 Train Staff on GEMS Policies and SOPs 3 Conduct GEMS Gap Analysis 8 Conduct Environmental Compliance Baseline Audit 4 Identify Significant Environmental Aspects 9 Annual Program Effectiveness Review and Report 5 Establish Operational Controls Setting & Achieving Objectives and Targets 6 Nine Steps to Establisha Successful GEMS

  5. EMS Gap Analysis • Environmental Policy • Environmental Program Manager Position Training • Environmental Performance Standards • Environmental Compliance Audits • Procurement Programs • Recycling Programs • Pollution Prevention Programs • Enhance Internal/External Communication

  6. Environmental Policy: GEMS • Executive Order 13148 • ISO 14001 requires a commitment to continual improvement and prevention of pollution • GEMS is a management system integrated within the VAMC management systems • VA Policy statement • Defines scope

  7. Planning: Environmental Aspects and Impacts Management of universal waste and waste electronics is an activity within the scope of the EMS that VA can control and that may have a significant impact on the environment if not managed properly

  8. Identify Significant Aspects and Impacts • Aspect: Activities, services, products that can interact with the environment. • Purchase of electronics and medical equipment DfE • Management of electronics • Disposal of electronics • Impact: Change to the environment whether adverse or beneficial resulting from the organization’s aspect • Use of natural resources • Energy and paper usage • Waste management and release to the environment from improper disposal

  9. Significant aspects/impacts

  10. Factors to consider for Significance • Risk • Compliance • Frequency • Control

  11. Legal and other requirements

  12. Objectives, targets and programs (x7) • 100% of Computers Recycled by 2006 (met) • 100% of purchasing with multiple environmental attributes • 100% of units have an average life span of four years (met) • Energy Star® features enabled on 95 percent of units (met) • Set default on all PCs and copiers to double-sided printing • Eliminate purchase of patient beds with mercury switches (met) • Eliminate all mercury sphygmomanometers, barometers (met) • Convert to 100% Digital Radiography (90% met) • Eliminate Reagents containing thimerosal

  13. Implementation and operation: • Resources • Roles, responsibilities and authorities • Designated management representative (GEMS Coordinators) • Establish program • Report to top management on performance

  14. Competence, training and awareness • Training needs assessment • Training for credit card holders on affirmative procurement • Training for acquisition personnel who handle waste electronics • Training for managers of universal/electronic waste

  15. Implementation • Communication: Internal/External • Documentation • Control of documents: Approval, review, etc. • Operational controls • Emergency preparedness and response

  16. Operational Controls • Purchasing criteria • Substitution (LCD’s vs CRT’s) • Work Practices (two sided printing, shut down, etc.) • Management of Universal waste procedures, training and documentation • Universal Bill of Lading, Manifests • Certificates of Recycling • Train employees on operational controls

  17. Monitoring and measurement • Federal Electronics Challenge Awards • Evaluation of compliance • Periodic evaluations/audits • Nonconformities • Maintain records to demonstrate conformity • Internal audits

  18. Environmental Audit Findings

  19. Management Review • Results of audits and evaluations of compliance • Communications from interested parties • Environmental performance scorecards • Objectives and targets • Follow up and corrective actions • Recommendations for improvement

  20. Challenges • Risk Adverse Industry • Pressure for single use devices • Inability to be there for the purchasing decision • Lack of time/resources • Long term, life cycle cost argument • FDA Revalidation

  21. Any Questions? Bill Kulas william.kulas@med.va.gov

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