Developing an Environmental Management System (EMS) Approach for Agriculture and Agribusiness – EMS Basics December 18, 2000 Beth Graves EMS Project Coor. NC Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance

August 28, 2000 The Progressive Farmer By necessity and inclination, U.S. farmers are early adapters. Here's a look at the latest in high-tech down on the farm. By CARLENE HEMPEL The News & Observer

What is an EMS?  Systematic way of managing an organization’s environmental affairs  Based on Plan-Do-Check-Act Model (PDCA)  Focused on Continual Improvement of System  Addresses immediate and long-term impact of an organization’s products, services and processes on the environment.  A tool to improve environmental performance

Policy Plannin g Implementation Checking Corrective Action Management Review EMS Model – Plan, Do, Check, Act

Why Implement an EMS?  Helps to identify the causes of environmental problems. –better to make a product right the first time –cheaper to prevent a spill –cost effective to prevent pollution  Trade and competitive issues –marketing tool

Why Implement an EMS?  Struggling to stay in compliance and keep track of regulations/laws  Environmental management just one of many responsibilities  Employee turnover  Establish a framework to move beyond compliance  Vehicle for positive change; improved employee morale, enhanced public image  Much of an EMS may already be in place

Build on What’s There  Animal Waste Management Plans  Best Management Practices (BMPs)  On Farm Assessment Program (available to pork producers)  EMS Templates being developed –Beef, poultry, dairy  New programs – ex. United Egg Producers Project XL agreement

ISO Model – Required Elements Env. Policy 4.2Document control Env. Aspects 4.3.1Operational control Legal and other req Emergency preparedness and response Obj. and targets 4.3.3Monitoring and measurement Env. Mgmt. Program 4.3.4Corrective/preventive action Structure and Responsibility 4.4.1Records Training, awareness, and competence EMS audit Communication 4.4.3Management Review 4.6 EMS documentation 4.4.4

Becoming ISO certified  ISO is the only certification standard  Registration body examines EMS for conformity to the ISO standard  Not a compliance audit, an EMS audit  Facility awarded registration  Does NOT mean that products are more environmentally friendly  Does mean have a documented EMS that is fully implemented and consistently followed

Policy Statement Identification of Significant Environmental Impacts Development of Objectives and Targets Implementation Plan to Meet Obj. and Targets Training Management Review How you meet elements is up to you. Key EMS Elements/Framework

An organization evaluates and addresses its own significant aspects, including non-regulated aspects May be positive or negative Examples: Aspect – Pesticide Container Recycling Impact -- Conservation of natural resources Aspect – Engine operations Impact – Degradation of air quality Aspect and Impacts

Consider: Air emissions Solid/hazardous waste Contamination of land Noise, vibration and odor Water effluents Land use, energy use, water use Raw material and resource use Positive environmental issues Aspects and Impacts

Encampment Lead Responsibility - Fish and Wildlife Division, Compliance Division, and Planning Division Environmental Aspects Input (raw material and labor) Conservation Soil disturbance leading to Erosion and Sedimentation Accidental Spillage - Vehicle /Helicopter/Equipment fluids Gray water Soil disturbance leading to Erosion and Sedimentation Accidental Spillage - Vehicle/Helicopter/Equipment fluids Gray water Accidental Spillage - Vehicle/Helicopter/Equipment fluids Gray water Fuel Consumption - Use of a Nonrenewable Resource Training within a Natural Environment (Plant, Wildlife, Wetlands) Training within species habitat Disposal of Spill Residue Disposal of Solid Waste Disposal of Hazardous Waste Particulate Matter from Operating Vehicles Off-road Air Emissions from equipment and vehicles Outdoor burning - PM Surface Water Impacts Waste Impacts Soil Impacts Air Impacts Groundwater Impacts Resource Impacts Nuisance Impacts Marine Corps ISO Pilot Project

From Environmental Concerns such as: regulatory/legal exposure health risk/people resource conservation To Business Concerns such as: effect on the public image/community cost savings cost recovery period equipment/facility Significance Scoring --Prioritize

Also may consider issues such as: scale of impact duration of impact zone of impact probability of occurrence or likelihood - frequent, likely, possible, rarely, unlikely severity of impact - catastrophic, severe, moderate, minor Significance Scoring (cont.)

Setting legal framework for the EMS identify and access legal requirements (federal, state, local) keep up-to-date  communicate to the right people Legal Environmental Requirements

Objectives &Targets - Continual Improvement  Establish and maintain environmental objectives and targets.  Can include commitment to: –reduce waste –reduce or eliminate release/spill of a pollutant –design product/operations to minimize environmental impact in production, use, and disposal.

Objectives &Targets  Keep objectives simple, flexible, and measurable.  Be realistic.  Considerations: –legal and other requirements –significant env. aspects –technological options –financial requirements –operational requirements –business requirements –views of interested parties

EMS Example  Policy : Improve the environmental quality of the workplace  Objective: Improve indoor air quality by reducing solvent odors  Target : Reduce solvent odors (VOC levels) by 90% by mid  Set Environmental Mgmt. Program

Env. Mgmt. Program  Plan: Switch to water cleaning process  Action- Substitute water-based cleaning process for vapor degreasing process  Responsibilities - Process Engineering  Schedule - Bench top trials - 2 months (date) Full scale pilot - 3 months (date) Implementation period - 1 month (date)  Resources needed - 1 FTE for 4 mon. Est. Budget $12,000

Implementation  Structure/responsibility  Training, awareness, & competence  Communication (internal/external)  Env. Mgmt System Documentation and control where needed  Operational control (ex. maintenance)  Emergency preparedness and response

Monitoring and Measuring – How are you doing?  Establish procedures to monitor and measure key operations that can have a significant impact on the environment.  Track how well the system is working  Analyze root causes of problems

Are you meeting your EMS requirements? How will you run an EMS audit program? EMS Internal Auditing

Management Review Collect information to evaluate EMS Review EMS to ensure its continuing effectiveness Consider changes – continual improvement

DPPEA offers free on-site EMS assistance and training DPPEA EMS web site Beth Graves EMS Project Coor or For More Information