View the entire chapter in a PDF format. Please use the pdf for printing.

Requirements:
General (5.1)

Under the SLAC ES&H policy and ISEMS, we are expected to demonstrate to the DOE and our community that we all take responsibility for maintaining the environment and improving it by minimizing waste and preventing pollution.

Plans

SLAC is required under federal and state regulations to produce plans for WM/P2, set goals, and track progress towards the goals.

The planning process involves

• Collaborative effort among line managers and Environment, Safety, and Health (ES&H) Division, Conventional and Experimental Facilities (CEF) Department, and Purchasing Department program managers to analyze activities that generate waste and pollution and to develop and implement strategies and measures to reduce wastes and prevent pollution
• Review of new projects and ongoing activities in accordance with Chapter 2, "Work Authorization", which requires Environmental Safety Citizen Committee (EnvSC) review of major new projects and operations for potential environmental impacts by the of potential environmental impacts
• Review of work for environmental and safety compliance and the implementation of WM/P2 measures through the SLAC Quality Assurance and Compliance Design Assurance and Construction Inspection Procedure [pdf]
• Assessing the WM/P2 program to determine if waste reduction and pollution prevention strategies and measures are achieving goals and to develop future strategies and measures that will help achieve goals

Reports

The following reports are used to track SLAC's performance in the WM/P2 program:

1. Facility newsletters
2. SLAC Annual Site Environmental Report (ASER)
3. DOE Annual Pollution Prevention Progress Report
4. US EPA Biennial Hazardous Waste Report
5. US EPA Toxic Chemical Release Inventory (TRI) Report
6. California Hazardous Waste Source Reduction and Management Review Plan and Report
7. DOE report on the procurement of EPA-designated products or environmentally preferred products
8. Report on energy and water conservation measures

Details on requirements for these reports are in WM/P2: Regulatory Requirements [pdf].

Pollution Prevention Opportunity Assessments

Under DOE order, pollution prevention opportunity assessments (PPOA) of site operations must be performed. The WM/PP program manager will assist project/program managers or line management in determining what processes are candidates, evaluating potential impacts, and conducting the assessments. (See WM/P2: Pollution Prevention Opportunity Assessment Procedures [pdf].)

Purchasing Practices

SLAC is required by the US EPA to purchase products that are recyclable or made from recycled material when technically and economically practicable.

Personnel must follow SLAC Purchasing procedures to ensure the procurement and use of environmentally-friendly products and services in new projects and existing operations and activities.

Note: The Chemical Management Services (CMS) system must be used to purchase chemicals; see Chapter 40, "Hazardous Materials".

Reduction Measures

Non-hazardous Waste

All personnel must implement measures to reduce, reuse, and recycle non-hazardous waste (see Non-hazardous Waste Reduction Guidelines [pdf], Non-hazardous Waste Recycling Guidelines [pdf], and Non-hazardous Waste Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling Procedures [pdf]).

Hazardous Waste

Hazardous waste poses a threat to human health and the environment. The types and quantities of hazardous materials or chemicals used and the processes or operations that use them determine the level of hazardous waste generated at SLAC.

Unlike non-hazardous waste, hazardous waste is highly regulated. Hazardous waste can only be stored for a limited time on site and must be properly managed, using required containers, labels, and secondary containment. As a result, it is in the best interest of any organization not to generate hazardous waste in the first place. Since hazardous wastes typically arise from the use of hazardous materials, any measures that are taken to reduce, reuse, or recycle hazardous materials can relieve SLAC of the burden associated with managing hazardous waste.

SLAC has well developed programs for the management of hazardous material (see Chapter 40, "Hazardous Materials") and hazardous wastes (see Chapter 17, "Hazardous Wastes"). The preferred method of waste minimization and pollution prevention is for personnel to modify their operations or activities to reduce the use of hazardous materials so that hazardous waste is never generated or is effectively minimized. Reuse is the next preferred method, followed by recycling and treatment, both of which are subject to strict regulatory controls for hazardous wastes.

All personnel must implement measures to reduce, reuse, and recycle hazardous waste (see WM/P2: Hazardous Waste Reduction Guidelines [pdf]). For determining if a waste is hazardous, see Chapter 17, "Hazardous Wastes".

Individual Recognition

The efforts of individuals in identifying and implementing waste minimization and pollution prevention measures will be recognized through an award program. Certificates are awarded based on the merit of the WM/P2 activity and on the recommendations of managers and supervisors.

Managers and supervisors will contact the WM/P2 program manager to recommend personnel as recipients of WM/P2 awards. The ES&H Division will evaluate the recommendations. Awards are presented by the ES&H Division and the associate director of the award recipient's directorate. Details on how to prepare nominations and how awards are determined are provided in WM/P2: Individual Recognition Requirements [pdf].

Information Resources

The WM/P2 program manager will ensure information on WM/P2 efforts is readily available to the SLAC public.

Personnel

Program Managers

The CEF and Purchasing departments must designate WM/P2 program managers to fulfill their respective responsibilities.

continue to Requirements, Roles & Responsibilities (5.1.7)