EMS CASE STUDY EMS Government Webinar

Transcription

1 EMS CASE STUDY EMS Government Webinar December 7, 2010 Presented by Mary Joan Pugh, FAICP Deputy Director

2 Conservation Captains Established in 1994, a group of Zoo employees meet monthly to find ways to reduce, reuse and recycle waste materials. The Conservation Captains are employees representing all levels, locations, and work units at the Zoo. Each year the Conservation Captains develop a work plan and to accomplish its goals. This group sponsors employee awareness meetings, Earth Day, an Annual "Use Less Stuff Sale", and Adopt-A-Highway activities.

3 ISO EMS With Conservation Captains, the Zoo was only reaching the low hanging fruit of sustainability Decided to take a more systematic approach to sustainability Chose ISO Environmental Management Systems EMS looks at the Zoo s significant impact on the environment and develops a plan to address it. The Zoo began with Horticulture, Vet, Animal and soon Facilities

4 Environmental Policy G R E E N Growth in knowledge and continued improvement Reduction in use of resources and waste Environmentally responsible and sustainable operation Example to others Necessary compliance with environmental laws and regulations

5 Significant Aspects and Impacts HORTICULTURE ASPECT IMPACT Total Organic Recycling/reusing/landfill Materials diversion Pest management Gas/Diesel Nonrenewable Water use Fertilizer Runoff contamination Reduce use of harmful chemicals Depletion of Resources Depletion of water supply Surface water

6 Significant Aspects and Impacts ASPECT Gasoline Organic Waste Noncompostable Wastewater Electricity Water use Chemicals Propane ANIMAL IMPACT Use of Nonrenewable Res Landfill Space Quality of Receiving Streams Use of Nonrenewable Res Depletion of water supply Use of Nonrenewable Res Use or Nonrenewable Res

7 Barriers TIME Already have too many jobs PAPERWORK Lots of documentation FUNDS External audit costs EXPERTISE No one knew how to launch an EMS

8 Barriers TIME Two Hour meeting per month PAPERWORK Reduce FUNDS Operating funds EXPERTISE Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance/Environmental Stewardship Initiative

9 Resistance STAFF at first Horticulture staff not so much with Veterinary difficult with Animal staff, especially curatorial staff TOO SLOW 2002 Hort 2005 Vet 2008 Animal

10 Resistance SOLUTION: ZOOWIDE IN new teams Two hour meeting per month Zoowide EMS Team Streamline the procedures

11 Gallons Benefits NC Zoo Horticulture Fuel Use Trends Year MEASUREMENT Only know what you measure STANDARD PROCEDURES Written procedures, training and evaluation so everyone does it the same way. RECORDS Record results so you can assess and revise PROJECTS Use EMS to demonstrate value of project requests. Total Horticulture Gas and Diesel Fuel Use

12 Composting EMS Aspect - Use Composting to reduce, reuse and divert organic materials from the landfill. EMS Objective Had permitted compost for 12 years. Wanted to increase recovery of waste from manure, bedding, plant material, kitchen scraps, and corrugated cardboard. Measurement - Targeted 1300 tons for 2008 Plan Train Animal and Food staff on Standard Procedure

13 Composting SOP: Animal specific procedure for Compost and revised volume per load Records: In 2008 composted 2782 tons resulting in savings of $244,264 disposal and $12,446 in soil supplements 12 year Results: 19,416 tons resulting in savings of $1,447,925 Project: Stormwater measures cover and basin

14 Water and Wastewater Water use projects were pursued to reduce the Zoo 60 million gallons of water per year for exhibits, irrigation, and cleaning. Meters were installed 1996 to monitor water use and detect leaks. Upgrades to aquatic filtration systems reduced backwash resulting in 140,000 gallons/year Also the number of drain-and-fills was reduced saving 200,000 gallons/year. Meters were installed to measure wastewater saving $100,000/year.

15 Water Leak Repair In 1996 water meters were installed at major pools including Polar Bear and Seal/Sea Lion to monitor water use and detect leaks. As a result of the records, the Zoo received $166,000 in 2007 R&R funds to repair the leaks at Polar Bear and Seal/ Sea Lion saving 5,000 gallons per day.

16 Water Conservation EMS Aspect: To apply water conservation principles to avoid depletion of water supply. EMS Objective: Reduce water use at targeted exhibits. Measurement: Meter at Chimp Exhibit and drip method at Australia and Alligator Exhibits. Plan: Meter the Chimp exhibit irrigation system and adjust water use according to rain level.

17 Irrigation Control Record: Reduced water use at Chimp from 210,400 to 61,500 gallons and Australia by 98% and Alligator by 83%. Project: As a result, the Zoo installed an Irrigation Control System in several key exhibits. The system measures the amount of rainfall and remotely adjusts the amount of irrigation accordingly. In the 2008 season, the system saved 1.5 million gallons (56%) as well as fuel and staff time.

18 Water SOPs As a result of the EMS, Animal has written several Water SOPs that promote consistency. Cleaning SOP Animal has developed a general Cleaning SOP that is linked to the individual exhibit SOPs. Chemicals Since chemicals are used in cleaning, the Cleaning SOP covers chemical use as well. Large Pool Drain and Fill SOP Includes an inventory of pools and capacity.

19 Gas / Diesel Zoo Horticulture is responsible for maintaining 500 acres of exhibits and walkways. EMS Aspect: Reduce gas/diesel use to decrease use of non-renewable resources and air pollutants. EMS Objective: Maintain same overall fuel use and target mpg reduction per vehicle. Measurement: Track mpg Plan: Track mpg per vehicle rather than fuel use since it varies with projects and weather.

20 Gallons Gas / Diesel NC Zoo Horticulture Fuel Use Trends Year Total Horticulture Gas and Diesel Fuel Use Record: In 2008, overall diesel use was increased by 327 gallons and gasoline use was up 884 due to major landscaping project for four exhibit landscapes. However, Hort used 374 gallons of B20 which reduced petroleum use by 3.7%. Project: Replaced two Motor Fleet vehicles with hybrids Civic Project: Produce biodiesel from Zoo restaurant used vegetable oil.

21 Biofuel from Used Oil Piedmont Biofuels contacted the Zoo about the idea of converting its used oil from Zoo restaurants into biodiesel to fuel Zoo vehicles and equipment. The Zoo uses B20 20% biofuel and 80% petroleum diesel. Biofuel is clean burning and B20 reduces air pollutants such as: Carbon monoxide - 12% Hydrocarbons - 20% Sulfates - 20% Particulates - 12% Air Toxics - 20%

22 Biodiesel In 2005, the Zoo received an Air Quality Mobile Source Emissions Reduction Grant to build a processor that converts used vegetable oil from Zoo restaurants into renewable biofuel. The used oil from Zoo restaurants will supply 7,500 of the 17,000 gallons of B20 needed.

23 Biofuel Processor The processor became operational in December In 2006, 1410 gallons of B20 were produced from the 282 gallons of used vegetable oil collected from the restaurants. The small amount was due to inconsistent waste oil stock, water contamination and soap. In addition, the Zoo purchased 2208 gallons of B100 for 11,040 gallons of B20 for a total of 12,450 gallons of B20, saving 2490 gallons of petroleum diesel.

24 Green Cart With the grant, the Zoo was able to do educational projects. Trams/buses graphics promoting biodiesel to Zoo Educational cart promoting biofuels and other green practices Biofuels Web page. Accredited teacher workshops Biofuels ZooFilez TV segment which airs weekly in NC 9 TV markets.

25 Fertilizers EMS Aspect: Chemical fertilizer runoff and surface water contamination. Horticulture has been using organic fertilizers for several years. Organic fertilizer is released more slowly and the plants absorbed the nutrients as they are released resulting in less nutrient runoff and water pollution. EMS Objective: Use organic fertilizers at proper levels to reduce use and runoff. Measurement: 90% organic fertilizer use

26 Fertilizers/ Water Quality Plan: Use SOP for fertilizing at proper levels. Record: In 2008 overall fertilizer use increased 13 tons due to E/R landscaping project but organic fertilizer use was 98.9%. Project: A Water Monitoring Program to assess the impact of fertilizers on water quality and a Water Pollution Prevention Plan to maintain or improve water quality of Zoo lakes and streams.

27 Water Pollution Prevention Plan The plan was to monitor water sites at least two times per year using students and to develop a water pollution prevention plan identifying high fertilization and erosion hot spots. As a result, a water quality baseline was set and a water pollution prevention plan and model environmental education program were developed. One recommendation was to address the stormwater runoff from the North America Parking Lot into the North America Lake.

28 Constructed Wetland As ESI member, the Zoo received an ESI grant matched by the Zoo Society to employ an architect to design a picnic deck and public observation deck and a master plan for the area. Other contributions include: DOT paid for the wetland design Horticulture selected plants that absorb EPA listed water pollutants. Zoo staff did the preliminary water testing and proposed testing plan. Zoo Education developed an interpretive graphic explaining the importance of wetlands.

29 Constructed Wetland The Zoo applied for and received a Clean Water Management Trust Fund Grant for $406,000 to construct the wetland. Amended to $623,000. The constructed wetland was completed Spring 2009 and : Is accessible to the 750,000 visitors to the Zoo each year. Offers an observation deck and catering deck with educational graphics on how wetlands improve water quality. Provide hands on opportunities for teachers and school groups.

30 Energy Since 1998 the Zoo has used a computerized Energy Management System to control temperatures and humidity in each buildings and exhibits. Animal areas consume large amounts of electricity and propane to meet temperature and lighting needs of animals EMS Aspect: Depletion of non renewable resource. EMS Objective: Reduce consumption of electricity Measurement: Electricity meter readings for each building.

31 Energy Plan: Energy Audit Report on four most energy intensive buildings Aviary, Rocky Coast, Desert and Vet Hospital SOPs: Animal SOP for Temperature Settings and Access and Animal SOP for Lighting Projects: Energy Audits, Energy Efficient Lighting, Solar Energy Picnic Pavilions, Green Building

32 Energy Audits Project: Energy Audits Meters are installed at each building and the Zoo records the readings monthly. As a result of the Zoo being an ESI Rising Steward, PPEA used the records to conduct free energy audits at the four energy intensive buildings. The information was used to obtain R&R funds for HVAC upgrades at the Aviary and will be used for the same at Rocky Coast. The records are also used as the basis of the Zoo s Strategic Energy Plan which includes consumption data required by the State Energy Office.

33 Energy Efficiency Grants Project: Energy Efficient Lighting As a part of the energy audits, the Zoo examined the lighting in the Stedman Education Center which has 410 T-12 fluorescent and 210 various incandescent fixtures. Since it has a Strategic Energy Plan, the Zoo was eligible for and received a $115,000 Energy Efficiency Grant to replace the T-12 fixtures with T-5s which are more efficient, less mercury and no PCBs and the incandescents with compact fluorescents. Also the Zoo received a $17,500 grant to replace half of the 1660 T-12 bulbs and ballasts with T-8s throughout the Zoo.

34 Solar Energy Pavilions Project: Solar Energy The Zoo partnered with Carolina Solar Energy to construct three large picnic pavilions to mount 9,600 sq. ft. of solar panels that generate 104 kw which is sold to the electric grid via Randolph Electric. The project began generating electricity in March 2008 and has produced 144,000 kwh in first year or the energy for 13 typical homes in NC.

35 Solar Pointe Project: Solar Energy The Zoo rents the picnic pavilions for catering events. Solar Pointe has a monitor with a live readout of the electricity being produced and the readout is also on the web ( With funding from NCEMC and REMC, the Zoo is installing interactive graphics at Solar Pointe and in the Zoo to explain how solar and other electric generation work.

36 Cell Phone Recycling Community Recycling The Zoo collects used cell phones at the Zoo and surrounding area to reuse for emergency services for persons in need and to keep toxic chemicals out of landfills. Unusable phones are disposed of responsibly. The proceeds go to building schools in Uganda. As of January 2010, nearly 4,000 cell phones have been collected and recycled for over $4,000.

37 Staff Buy-In Even with the many employee awareness programs, many employees don t pay attention to even basic recycling. As EMS is spreading to other sections of the Zoo, more employees are seeing the reason for reducing water, energy and fuel use.

38 Community Involvement As part of its commitment to clean water, the Zoo has been the County Coordinator for N C Big Sweep, a program to clean up rivers and streams. In 2008, the Zoo recruited 1,622 school groups, civic clubs, 4-H clubs and Zoo volunteers who cleaned 40 miles of streams for a total of 26,000 lbs of trash. The Zoo received the 2006 NC Big Sweep Award for Best Program. The Zoo also has a 2-mile Adopt A Highway section of Zoo Parkway that it cleans up four times a year.

39 Education The Zoo strives to employ an educational component for every green practices project. Educational graphics, ZooFilez TV segments which air weekly on NC s 9 TV markets and Teacher Accredited Workshops are provided on biodiesel, solar, wetlands and green practices. Students do water monitoring, senior and class projects on a variety of green practices projects.

40 Zoo School Since Fall 2007, the Zoo is home to the Asheboro High School Zoo School A Science Focused Program. One hundred 10 th,11 th and 12 th grade students will spend one hour at AHS and the rest of the day at the Zoo School. Zoo School offers hands on experiential learning in social studies, math and English as well as science. The students have done water quality monitoring, converted an electric cart to solar, did the landscape plans for Solar Pointe and the Constructed Wetland, and built a table top biodiesel processor.

41 Lessons Learned PILOT Start with a pilot group like Horticulture to develop the policies and procedures KEEP GOING Immediately go ahead with EMS for entire organization TAKE THE PLUNGE It won t be perfect. So go ahead and set it in motion.

42 Benefits Summary SOPs Temperature Settings Cleaning Large Pool Drain/ Fill Composting Fertilizing OTHER Water Pollution Prevention Plan Education/Graphics

43 Benefits Summary PROJECTS Irrigation Controls Water Leak Repair Wetland Solar Pointe Biodiesel Processor Energy Efficiency Green Building Zoo School

44 End Goal Improve Zoo s Ecological Footprint