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Deal With Regulatory Issues
First
make sure you are in compliance with local, state and federal regulations
concerning your wastes.
- If you have disposal or hazardous waste issues that may be out
of compliance, contact local authorities or service providers.
- Once the problem is resolved, use this guide and other resources
to prevent such problems from recurring.
Assess
Resources
While there is no exact recipe for success, the following elements
will make it easier:
- Support of school administration
- Person(s) willing to spend time on the details and promote the
projects from within
- Other teachers and students who are interested in pollution prevention
- Community businesses and local service providers willing to provide
startup assistance and form partnerships
Organize
your Team
Preventing pollution will be easier and more effective if it is a
team effort. Some team-building suggestions are:
- Survey local businesses and your school community to help gauge
current interest.
- Form an advisory committee of two or three key team members to
provide leadership and support broad participation.
- Promote what you are trying to do and educate team members about
pollution prevention.
Each team member will participate at a different level, but all should
be committed to the goals of your program. Some promotion tips and
a list of potential team members and tasks are included for your reference.
Do a Self-Audit
Employing as many team members as possible, use the
checklists included in the Laboratory Self-Audit to
assess areas where you can reduce and eliminate waste and manage your
lab operations more efficiently and economically. Research each area
identified and brainstorm possible solutions.
Create Your Plan
Review the notes you make at the end of General Housekeeping
and each other section that applies to your facility. Develop a written
plan to address each situation your audit reveals and strategies to
continue to reduce waste and conserve resources. Some important elements
of a successful plan are:
- Include target dates for implementation and who is responsible.
- Make it easy for all team members to read and follow. Portion
out sections that apply to specific team members.
- Build a feedback mechanism into the plan so team members can let
you know when something isn't working right.
Organize and Document
Keep the following
information together and organized:
- Self-audit notes and decisions
- Current inventory of
supplies and waste
- Plan maintenance schedule (keep track of dates when activities
occur)
- Product and service supplier
contact information
- Pollution prevention
team member contact information
- Correspondence and paperwork
related to your efforts
- Notes on your efforts as progress is made
Review
Review your plan on a regular schedule. Document:
- Changes in activities
- Introduction of new activities
- Glitches or problems
- Inventory updates
- Changes to the plan and dates they were implemented
GETTING STARTED
The next section covers housekeeping and conservation
practices that apply to everyone. After you complete this section,
choose the checklists that apply specifically to your your lab areas.
Back to Audit
Main Page
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LOCAL
CONTACTS
These contacts can answer questions about state and
local regulations, recycling opportunities, disposal facilities and
special collection opportunities. Look for them in the local
and state government sections of your phone book.
County Extension Agent
Health Department
Sanitarian
Environmental Health Office
Water and Sewer Authority
Landfill Operator
Solid Waste Office
Hazardous Waste Agency or Office
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THE TEAM
Instructors: An instructor or laboratory manager
is the ideal leader for the team. Their potential roles include:
- Educate the community about pollution prevention
- Supervise creation of a pollution prevention plan
- Assign tasks to other team members
- Keep school administration informed of progress
- Hold the team responsible for regular maintenance of the plan
Students: Students have a big opportunity to reduce waste
at the source and make the plan work. Their potential roles include:
- Conduct the audit
- Problem solve and research waste issues
- Record the plan in an easy-to-follow format
- Use the practices in their daily activities
- Perform regular plan maintenance tasks
Partners: It very important to form partnerships. Local businesses,
fellow academic programs, other schools, government agencies, parent/teacher
organizations, and recyclers are examples of important partners. Some
roles that partners may fill include:
- Waste management help
- Sponsor collections of materials for reuse or recycling
- Advice and technical assistance
- Bulk buying or recycling agreements
- Community promotion
Administration: Your administration can be proud of this contribution
to a healthier school. Keep them updated on the team's efforts. Their
involvement may include:
- Official sponsorship of the program
- Allowing dedicated time and resources
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EDUCATION/PROMOTION
Planting Ideas
Teach your pollution prevention team, coworkers and colleagues why
pollution prevention is important and why you are embarking on this
endeavor. Local service providers may be willing to give a presentation
or do some training. A business that has successfully implemented
pollution prevention practices can be inspirational. You may want
to promote your activities by sponsoring a poster contest, writing
an article for the school newspaper, and giving a talk in class or
at a parent/teacher meeting.
Spreading the Word
Make sure everyone using the laboratories and teaching areas is aware
of your pollution prevention plan and policies. Keep a reference guide
easily accesssible once your plan is in place. It's a good resource
for others wanting to create a pollution prevention plan as well as
for those using the plan. Let other teachers at your school and other
schools know what you are doing; exchange ideas and offer your experience.
Reminders
Develop flyers and posters based on your goals and outcomes. Instruction
lists in the lab will help everyone stay on track.
Make it easy
Pollution prevention methods are more successful when they are
quick and convenient for everyone who uses your facility and easy
to incorporate into everyday lab activities. Offer incentives for
following the plan and coming up with new ideas.
Monitor and Modify
Promotion and education doesn't stop once the plan is running. Note
progress and modify as necessary. The advisory committee should meet
every so often to consider the following:
- Are you receiving feedback from team members (positive or negative)?
- What achievements have been made since you last met? What doesn't
work any more?
- Are the needs of partners being considered? Should new partners
be added?
- Do additional outreach efforts need to be undertaken?
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