Recycling Programs
Oscar G. Johnson VAMC Recycling Programs
The Oscar G. Johnson Veterans Hospital established the Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) in December of 2005 as the facility’s governing environmental policy. The policy 00-46 Green Environmental Management System guides and encourages employees, at all levels of the organization, to be good stewards of the environment by complying with all applicable environmental requirements; preventing pollution; reducing waste; conserving energy, water, and other natural and cultural resources.
Through the annual analysis of the GEMS program, several key areas presented themselves as significant targets, aspects and impacts to pursue for improvement.
GEMS Education: The GEMS Fair is conducted in conjunction with the annual celebration of Earth Day with posters, contests, and displays aimed at improving our environment. A sculpture contest of recycled material is also a huge success getting many of the staff hands on experience in what materials are recyclable within the medical center!
Xylene Recycling: One of the first areas to see a major success came in the form of recycling our Xylene. By purchasing recycling equipment and implementing the program the medical center experiences savings of approximately $7,550.00 annually, paying for the machine in approximately two years. The program also helped reduced the facility’s hazardous waste disposal by approximately 95% annually meeting the mandate of EO 13148 “Greening the Government through Leadership in Environmental Management.”
Facility Recycling: The facility recycling program when it was first conceived consisted of recycling white paper, batteries, and fluorescent light bulbs. Since then all areas of the hospital have been targeted and/or expanded. The results have truly paid off in total revenue generated and in cost avoidance. For example, the cost of disposing of batteries as a universal waste went from thousands of dollars to a mere $120.00 annually to recycle the same amount we used to dispose of.
Our paper recycling program was expanded to include all commingled and corrugated cardboard. Pallets, scrap metal, cooking grease, composting, textiles, and aluminum cans were also added to the program contributing to a cost diversion and/or revenue generation for the medical center. Any revenue generated is used to fund the continued growth and success of the GEMS Program and related areas.
Affirmative Procurement Program: The program was created to establish responsibilities and procedures required to implement the Green Procurement Program’s mandatory purchasing requirements for environmentally preferable products.
The program establishes guidelines that were adopted for all construction contracts to eliminate usage of paints with VOC’s, the purchasing/installation of Recycled Content Products as designated by the EPA’s Comprehensive Procurement Guideline, and the purchasing/installation of Energy Star designated products.
Our efforts will continue to focus on implementing Biobased Products where applicable and the further reduction of EPA Priority Chemicals used within the medical center. The facility has already achieved a total removal of all mercury and mercury containing products in the facilty as well as the removal of all ozone depleting products and processes.
Construction Demolition Debris Recycling/Waste Minimization: Prior to any construction project being started at the medical center the contractor must submit a Draft Waste Minimization Plan. Contractors are required to use all reasonable means to divert construction and demolition waste from landfills and incinerators, and facilitate their salvage. All contractors on site are required to recycle scrap metals, cardboards, soils, pallets, and any other materials that can be reclaimed.
For additional Information concerning the GEMS program, please contact:
Greg R. Haslow, GEMS Coordinator at 906-774-3300 X32045 or via email at Greg.Haslow@VA.GOV
