UNE EMS Pilot Program Successes

Realized savings of $45/ton due to junk mail recycling. As a result of a systematic management system to address junk mail recycling, nearly five tons of junk mail in the College of Arts and Sciences was recycled over one year. Recycled paper costs less to ship off campus than solid waste by $45.00/ton. If this program were expanded to the entire campus, UNE would realize a savings of approximately $1,000 per year while contributing to the state goals for recycling 50% by year 2005.

Removed 300 names from vendor’s mailing lists, thereby reducing junk mail at its origin and reducing the work load of our mail services, faculty and staff, and facilities management staff.

Raised Awareness in 125 employees about Toxic Use Reduction Regulatory Requirements, resulting in reduced risk of notice of violations in the event of DEP or EPA inspection.

Realized potential savings of over $3,000/year in hazardous waste costs due to laboratory faculty planning to implement strategies for reducing hazardous waste. Goal of 10% per laboratory student, if realized will reduce costs by approximately $3,000.00 per year in hazardous waste disposal + management costs, plus reduced risk to human health and the environment.

Improved working relationships and understanding between faculty and Environmental Health and Safety Personnel. As a result of program requirements for face-to-face interaction, and committee interactions.

Employees were empowered to develop unique strategies in meeting objectives through the EMS process.

Improved collaboration between administration, faculty and students.

Fostered a relationship between UNE Management Team members and colleagues from Wentworth Institute in Boston and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Fostered a relationship between UNE Management Team and the Maine DEP and members of the EPA Region 1 (our regulators).

Developed systems for measuring success of program objectives with regard to hazardous waste minimization and junk mail recycling and reduction.

New procedure created for keeping management knowledgeable and up to date on regulatory requirements.

Web site launched to seat important documents and make information available to faculty and staff.

New Chemical Software and Standard Operating Procedures installed to track chemicals and chemical use, thereby reducing liability and the potential for expired and dangerous chemicals to be stored indefinitely.

Increased communications to UNE Community regarding UNE SEAS initiatives through:
  October 2003 Family and Friends Weekend.
  October 2003 Physicians for Social Responsibility Workshop.
  Insider alumni newsletter article submitted to be published in spring 2004.
  Published events and notices in By-The-Week campus-wide e-mail newsletter.
  Brought Green Chemistry to Core Connections series.


Established the basis for a management system to address environmental and regulatory concerns at UNE.

Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences pledges to create a fund to promote hazardous waste minimization within the College. The fund will be used to purchase items that would ordinarily not be covered in the operating budget.

More than a dozen employees (including faculty and staff) at UNE were trained and versed in the EMS process.
    
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