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
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