Pollution Prevention

Consideration for the environment is a part of every employee's daily routine. A number of programs minimize pollution, reduce waste and encourage recycling. Through these various programs, Argonne diverts waste from landfills, conserves energy, improves indoor air quality and reduces operating costs. Since 1996, Argonne has saved about $11 million.

Argonne 's pollution prevention program includes a program that has recycled more than 82,000 metric tons of materials over the past five years — about the weight of the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier. This equipment includes chemicals, furniture, equipment and other supplies. This program has been named one of the best in the U.S. Department of Energy complex, recognizing the laboratory's efforts in education and information exchange, pollution prevention reviews, waste reduction and recycling and purchasing plans that encourage the use of recycled products.

Staff Education

To educate its staff about pollution prevention, Argonne offers a user-friendly Web-based course that allows employees to receive pollution prevention training from their desktop computers.

Argonne 's Waste Management and Pollution Prevention Advisory Committee sponsors a Pollution Prevention Spirit Award to recognize employees' efforts made in limiting waste and excess and sponsors an annual Pollution Prevention Fair on site to educate employees about the program.

Argonne policy requires all new project reviews to use a pollution prevention checklist. Argonne also uses its Integrated Safety Management system and the Environmental Management System to promote pollution prevention strategies across the entire laboratory.

Waste-Recycling Program

In addition to these educational programs and information-sharing networks, Argonne has a comprehensive solid waste recycling program. Cardboard, aluminum, glass, plastics, metals, batteries, transparencies, toner cartridges, surplus laboratory chemicals, mixed office paper, lead shielding materials and construction and demolition debris are among the materials recycled or reduced by the laboratory. Since 1996, Argonne has saved more than $3.8 million by recycling.

The Argonne Chemical Exchange System (ACES) was developed to facilitate the exchange of surplus chemicals across the laboratory. Using a centralized surplus chemical storage facility and the laboratory's Chemical Management System, employees often find the chemicals they need without having to buy more.

Office supplies and furniture may also be recycled or reused through Argonne 's Equipment and Materials Exchange.

An Affirmative Procurement Program makes purchasing recycled products easier for employees and a Sustainable Design Implementation Plan promotes the use of building materials and construction methods that are environmentally friendly.

Pollution Prevention Awards

Through the years, Argonne has won a number of awards for its pollution prevention programs:

• Outstanding Government Leadership, Illinois Recycling Association, 2004  
• DOE Pollution Prevention Award, Complex-wide Achievement, Argonne-East Pollution Prevention Program, 2003
• DOE Pollution Prevention Award, Environmental Remediation, Argonne-East Environmental Remediation Project, 2002
• National Award for Pollution Prevention, Environmental Preferability, US DOE, 2001
• National Award for Pollution Prevention, Green Solvent Pilot Project, Runner Up, US DOE, June 2001
• Closing the Circle Award, Central Supply Facility Team, June 2001
• Closing the Circle Award, Affirmative Procurement Program, June 2000