What is an Environmental Management System?

imageAn Environmental Management System (EMS) is a systematic approach that allows an organization to reduce environmental impacts and increase efficiencies of the activities, products and services it produces. More specifically, it is a set of procedures developed by a representative group that creates a proactive approach to managecompliance or conservation issues in a cost effective manner through the use of management tools. The implementation of an EMS promotes continual improvement toward environmental excellence, through a cyclical process of planning, implementation, measuring and review.

Businesses, industries, municipalities and institutions worldwide strive to create Environmental Management Systems to help them implement tools and establish systems to be proactive instead of reactive with regard to regulatory compliance. At the completion of the pilot program with U.S. EPA, UNE will be a model for other Colleges and Universities and institutions, worldwide. To learn more about EMS’s, click on the following links Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) or PEER Center What is an EMS?


What is UNE SEAS?
UNE SEAS is an acronym for UNE School-wide Environmental Awareness System. It is the Committee dedicated to creating and implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) at UNE. The committee was created and began working January 24, 2002. Through determination and hard work, the committee was successful in learning what steps are required to develop an EMS and successfully created and implemented two initiatives by March 2004 within the College of Arts and Sciences. Learn more about the Junk Mail Reduction and Recycling initiative or the Hazardous Waste Reduction initiative by clicking on either of these titles now.

Why is UNE implementing an EMS?
At the invitation of U.S. EPA Region 1, the College of Arts and Sciences agreed to implement a pilot program to create an Environmental Management System. This system will be one of the most comprehensive environmental initiatives that UNE has ever undertaken. The system will promote waste reduction, reuse and recycling of many categories of waste generated in the College. The Environmental Management System will later be expanded to include all of the Colleges within UNE and include programs beyond waste reduction.

Who are the members of UNE SEAS?
UNE SEAS team members are: Dan Callahan, John Robinson, Denise Gendron,  Elisabeth Haase, James Hunt, Tim Kinne, Dan LeClerc, Richard Peterson, and John Tumiel. Two student representative seats and an internship are available.

Previous members were: Dave Donovan, Seth Fletcher, Annemarie Fumicello, Owen Grumbling, Cheryl Labrecque, Rick LaRue, and Eleanor Saboski.

How can I participate?
For more information about how you may participate as a member or on a subcommittee email the UNE SEAS Coordinator at UNESEAS@une.edu or call extension 2488 for more information.

UNE SEAS internship applications are available through the Environmental Studies Internship Coordinator, Cynthia Simon, Decary 3rd floor. Please feel free to forward your ideas or questions to any of the UNE SEAS team members listed above.
    
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