GEMI Reference To V—-*-""-"*^ EPA Voluntary Programs EPA POLLUTION PREVENTER /Green ^ Lights WASTE Recycled/Recyclable Printed w«h Soy/Canola Ir* on paper thai contains at toa«t 50% r«cyd«dtbsf ------- JiBOUT THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE (GEMI) GEMI is a group of leading companies dedicated to fostering environmental excellence by business worldwide. Through the collaborative efforts of its members, GEMI promotes a worldwide business ethic for environmental management and sustainable development, to improve the environmental performance of business through example and leadership. Below is a list of GEMI's member companies as of August, 1994. o o o GEMI MEMBER COMPANIES Allied Signal Inc. Amoco Corporation Anheuser-Busch Companies Apple Computer, Inc. AT&T Boeing Company Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Browning-Ferris Industries The Coca-Cola Company Colgate-Palmolive Company Consolidated Rail Corporation Coors Brewing Company Digital Equipment Corporation The Dow Chemical Company Duke Power Company The DuPont Company Eastman Kodak Company Florida Power & Light Georgia-Pacific Corporation Johnson & Johnson Merck & Company, Inc. Occidental Petroleum Corp. Olin Corporation Procter & Gamble Company The Southern Company Tenneco Inc. Union Carbide Corporation WMX Technologies Reprinted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with permission of GEMI ------- !M Green Lights EFK WASTi WI$E ©1994 Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI) 2000 L Street, N.W., Suite 710 Washington, D.C. 20036 (202) 296-7449 ------- TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgments 3 Abbreviations Used in this Document 4 I. Introduction 5 II. EPA Organizational Chart 7 III. EPA Voluntary Initiatives Contacts 9 A. 33/50 10 B. Climate Wise 12 C. WAVE 14 D. WasteWi$e 16 E. Global Change Division Programs 18 • Green Lights 18 • Energy Star Computers 19 • Energy Star Buildings 20 • Other Initiatives • • 22 F. Design for the Environment 23 G. Building Air Quality Alliance 24 H. Programs in Development 26 Appendix A: State Initiatives 28 Appendix B: GEMI Participation 31 Appendix C: DOE-Managed CCAP Programs 32 ------- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This document was prepared by: Anne Fahrig, GEMI/Law Companies Group, Inc. Intern, Duke University Joel Kurihara, Senior Manager, Policy and Planning, Environmental Quality Group, Consolidated Rail Corporation Jane McGuire, GEMI Program Manager, Environmental Policy Center, Law Companies Group, Inc. The writers gratefully acknowledge the extensive input from: Debbie Boger, Design for the Environment, EPA Susan Bullard, Green Lights, EPA Karen Butler, Green Lights, EPA Lee DePont, 33/50, EPA John Flowers, WAVE, EPA Pam Herman, Climate Wise, EPA Thomas Hersey, Erie County Office of Pollution Prevention Andrew Mastrandonas, Environmental Policy Center/Law Companies Group, Inc. Scott Nadler, Consolidated Rail Corporation Libby Parker, Design for the Environment, EPA Julie Rosenberg, Building Air Quality Alliance, EPA Natalie Roy, National Roundtable of State Pollution Prevention Programs David Sarokin, 33/50, EPA Polly Strife, Digital Equipment Corporation Chris Tirpak, 33/50, EPA Stephanie Von Feck, WAVE, EPA Linda Wynn, WasteWi$e, EPA Comments, questions, and requests for further GEMI information may be directed to: GEMI 2000 L Street, N.W., Suite 710 Washington, D.C. 20036 202-296-7449 AUGUST 1994 GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS ------- ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS DOCUMENT BPPD Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division CCAP Climate Change Action Plan CTSA Cleaner Technology Substitutes Assessment DfE Design for the Environment EE&T Economics, Exposure and Technology EMS Environmental Management System EPACT Environmental Policy Act ESAP Environmental Self-Assessment Program GAO General Accounting Office GEMI Global Environmental Management Initiative ICC International Chamber of Commerce IRR Internal Rate of Return MOU Memorandum of Understanding OPP Office of Pesticides Programs OPPE Office of Policy, Planning, and Evaluation TQM Total Quality Management TSCA Toxic Substances Control Act WAVE Water Alliances for Voluntary Efficiency GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS AUGUST 1994 ------- I. INTRODUCTION In March 1994, GEMI members met with representatives of several EPA voluntary pro- grams. These EPA representatives displayed creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and a willing- ness to take some organizational risks in looking for ways to work with business. As a result of this meeting, GEMI decided to work with these EPA representatives to produce a single document that provides information about all of the Agency's voluntary programs. The information in this document was collected through discussions which covered the his- tories and structures of the many voluntary programs created in recent years. These pro- grams are managed out of the media-specific EPA offices, and are not organized as a group. However, an informal information-sharing network has grown within the Agency so that program officers can share experiences and help each other with their voluntary programs. Also, the number of voluntary programs is growing rapidly. For example, a major environ- mental initiative—the Climate Change Action Plan—is composed entirely of voluntary initiatives which are administered through several agencies. In fact, virtually every media- specific office at EPA has at least one voluntary program, and the Air Office is involved in more than eight. The goals of these programs are usually focused on achieving environmental benefits beyond what the law requires. Each program targets specific pollution streams to reduce, or energy uses to modify. From EPA's perspective, this all may make sense. If an Office of Air exists fundamentally to improve air quality, then it is logical to sponsor voluntary programs to achieve air pollution reductions beyond those required by law. Problems arise, however, when corporate environmental managers in the regulated commu- nity must decide in which voluntary programs they should enroll, if any. These same man- agers are already tasked with insuring that companies meet a complex and increasingly pre- scriptive set of state and federal requirements. During their deliberations, they may wonder whether or not EPA, at some managerial level, values some programs over others. Also, making voluntary reductions may be disadvantageous if future state or federal laws or reg- ulations do not give credit for reductions made under a voluntary program. These concerns seem to boil down to issues of coordination. Whatever the role of voluntary programs, that role must be coordinated with legal requirements faced by companies and with other aspects of corporate management systems. If these issues are not addressed, then the increasing number of programs, while perhaps logical from an Agency perspective, may create confusion for the regulated community and discourage involvement in voluntary ini- tiatives to reduce pollution. AUGUST 1994 GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS ------- We have spoken with several company representatives who have participated in these vol- untary programs. Their recollections are uniformly a mix of good and bad experiences in working with EPA, which works according to priorities that differ from those of business. Yet, looking at the histories of the older programs, it seems that companies may benefit from voluntary participation, through public recognition, cost savings, and the long-term rewards of innovation. Such programs may allow environmental managers to raise corporate aware- ness of environmental issues without resorting to threats of fines and lawsuits due to viola- tions of environmental statutes. Furthermore, voluntary programs tend to entail business- government-nonprofit dialogues. These dialogues may result in making businesses better prepared for tougher environmental laws, and may help regulators write better rules. While GEMI recognizes the concerns and potential benefits outlined in this introduction, this document does not address them further. GEMI does not formally support voluntary programs. GEMI merely recognizes that the programs exist, that they are growing in num- ber, and that an outline of all the programs to date (and of those soon to come), may be of use to other environmental professionals. The writers went through several weeks of interviews and rough drafts to publish this ref- erence guide. Every attempt was made to be true to the intentions of those who were inter- viewed. Any mistakes or omissions are solely the responsibility of the authors. GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS AUGUST 1994 ------- Location of Voluntary Programs Within Environmental Protection Agency ADMINISTRATOR DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR Assistant Administrator for Water Assistant Administrator for Air & Radiation Assistant Administrator for Policy, Planning & Evaluation Office of Water Mananement Office of Policy Analysis Air & Energy Policy Div. Office of Atmospheric Programs Office of Radiation and Indoor Air I Global Change Division Indoor Air Division Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides & Toxic Substances Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste & Emergency Response Office of Solid Waste Municipal & Industrial Solid Waste Division Waste Reduction and Management Branch Office of Pollution Prevention & Toxics WASTEWI$E GREEN LIGHTS BUILDING AIR ENERGY STAR PROGRAMS QUALITY ALLIANCE METHANE REDUCTION PROGRAMS Env. Assistance Division DESIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT 33/50 PROGRAM ------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY VOLUNTARY INITIATIVES A. 33/50 Program B. Climate Wise C. WAVE D. WasteWi$e E. Global Change Division Programs • Green Lights • Energy Star Computers • Energy Star Buildings • Other Initiatives F. Design for the Environment G. Building Air Quality Alliance H. Programs in Development GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS AUGUST 1994 ------- III. PROGRAM CONTACTS For more information on EPA voluntary programs, please contact the following people: 33/50 TSCA Assistance Hotline Phone: 202-554-1404 Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. EST Office of Pollution Prevention & Toxics EPA Headquarters (7408) 401 M Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 Phone: 202-260-6907 Climate Wise Pamela Herman, Climate Wise Co-Director U.S. Environmental Protection Agency OPPE (2126) 401 M Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 Phone: 202-260-4407/Fax: 202-260-0512 Gerald Kotas U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency 8c Renewable Energy 1000 Independence Ave. Washington, D.C. 20585 Phone: 202-586-9220/Fax: 202-586-9260 WAVE John E. Flowers WAVE Program Director U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (WH-547) 401 M Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 Phone: 202-260-7288 WasteWi$e WasteWi$e Hotline: 1-800-EPA-WISE Lynda Wynn Phone: 202-260-0700/Fax: 260-4196 U.S. EPA, (5306) 401 M Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 Green Lights/Energy Star Hotline: 202-775-6650 Faxline: 202-233-9659 (for information by fax) U.S. EPA (6202J) 401 M Street, S.W. Washington D.C., 20460 Fax: 202-775-6680 Golden Carrot Michael L'Ecuyer 202-233-9127 AgSTAR Lisa Reiter 202-233-9257 Natural Gas STAR Andrea Osborne 202-233-9044 Coalbed Methane Outreach Program Dina Kruger 202-233-9039 Landfill Methane Outreach Program Cindy Jacobs 202-233-9042 Design for the Environment EPA's Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse (PPIC) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 401 M Street, S.W. (3404) Washington, D.C. 20460 Phone: 202-260-1023/Fax: 202-260-0178 Building Air Quality Alliance Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse 1-800-438-4318 Pesticide Use/Risk Reduction Initiative Martin S. Lewis or Sherry L. Click BEAD/OPP/EPA (7503W) 401 M Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 Phone: 703-308-8144 AUGUST 1994 GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS ------- A. 33/50 PROGRAM HISTORY The 33/50 Program relies on the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) to identify potential par- ticipants and to assess the success of the program. TRI, which existed before the 33/50 Program, is a national inventory of industrial toxic chemical releases and transfers reported to the government by business on a yearly basis as required by law. The 33/50 Program began in the late 1980's with high-level meetings held to discuss ways in which business might reduce their TRI-reported releases. These meetings included: • Senior EPA officials • American Paper Institute • Chief executives of major corporations • Members of the transportation sector • Chemical Manufacturer's Association • Environmental non-profits • American Petroleum Institute Discussions focused on going beyond the TRI requirement of reporting releases. The group decided to use the release information as a starting point for encouraging release reduction, and, therefore, pollution prevention. During these meetings the structure of the 33/50 Program was crafted. After concerns of all participants were addressed, the program was formally announced in February, 1991. The 33/50 Program now involves 1200 parent companies out of 8000 companies that emit targeted chemicals. These 1200 companies represent 5000 to 6000 facilities. Fifteen company case studies are available from the 33/50 Program office, with approxi- mately five more planned. These case studies summarize experiences businesses have had with the 33/50 Program. The documents outline the implementation of the program and benefits to the program participants. The case studies are valuable to companies that are considering the program, but are unsure of its value. GOALS • Reduce 17 TRI pollutants by 33% by 1992 • Reduce 17 TRI pollutants by 50% by 1995 The 33% goal was met by participating companies one year early—1991—due to the creative efforts in the industrial sector. 10 GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS AUGUST 1994 ------- The 17 Chemicals Targeted by the 33/50 Program are: Benzene Cadmium & compounds Carbon tetrachloride Chloroform Chromium and compounds Cyanide compounds Dichloromethane Lead & compounds Mercury & compounds Methyl ethyl ketone Methyl isohutyl ketone Nickel & compounds Tetrachloroethylene Toluene 1,1,1-Trichloroethane Trichloroethylene Xylenes These are "high priority" chemicals, so named by EPA after the Agency reviewed the TRI chemicals for both relative toxicities and volumes of use. COMPANY PARTICIPATION Companies that report using or releasing one or more of the 17 chemicals listed above have been encouraged by EPA to consider joining the 33/50 Program. The process begins when a company submits a letter to EPA stating the intention to participate. This letter should iden- tify reduction targets and outline reduction strategies. BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION Johnson & Johnson reports that participation in the 33/50 Program has helped significant- ly in formulating reduction initiatives and in obtaining corporate support for their imple- mentation. The Program's focus on a distinct set of chemicals has helped Johnson & Johnson to develop and choose among specific source reduction projects for the Program's targeted chemicals. As a result of its pollution reduction efforts, the company has reduced releases and transfers of 33/50 Program chemicals by 77%. PROGRESS Measures by which 33/50's progress is tracked: • The extent of industry's participation in the 33/50 Program • The amount and types of wastes reduced • The extent to which waste reduction at the source—pollution prevention— contributes to overall reductions These measures are tracked in Progress Reports that document the impact of the 33/50 Program, and track industrial progress towards achieving the overall national goal of a 50% reduction by 1995. As mentioned above, the 33% goal was reached one year early, 1991. Continued progress has led EPA to expect reaching the 1995 goal. AUGUST 1994 GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS ------- A number of studies have been completed or are underway to evaluate the success of the program, including studies by the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation, Citizens Action, INFORM, and Congress (GAO). FUTURE EPA is certain that companies will meet the 1995 goal of a 50%, national reduction in tar- geted chemicals. In anticipation of this, and to recognize those who have made significant contributions towards achieving that goal, EPA's 33/50 Program coordinators are designing an awards program to be held in 1996. The awards will recognize innovation in toxic release reduction and the commitment to pollution prevention. Other countries in addition to the U.S. have, or plan to implement, TRI-like release inven- tories and community-right-to-know programs. As in the U.S., these inventories may be the basis for voluntary reduction programs. Representatives from Taiwan and Switzerland have met with 33/50 Program personnel to discuss the creation of similar programs in their coun- tries. The OECD and the European Union are also looking into the role of voluntary pro- grams on a national level. B. CLIMATE WISE RECOGNITION PROGRAM HISTORY President Clinton committed the U.S. to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990-levels by the year 2000 in accordance with the Climate Convention of the 1990 Rio Earth Summit. In July 1993, trade associations and other industry representatives met to suggest ways of achieving the necessary reductions. Three months later, the President announced the Climate Change Action Plan, designed to encourage reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. The Action Plan presents 47 possible actions industry might take. One of the programs in the Plan is the Climate Wise Program. Climate Wise is designed to be an "umbrella" program to encourage participation in the full range of Action Plan ini- tiatives. Climate Wise also reinforces provisions of the 1992 Environmental Policy Act (EPACT). Under Climate Wise, the Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Reduction Reporting System established by EPACT is used to help identify and recognize emissions reductions achieved by industry. Furthermore, the Climate Wise initiative is prompting the Department of Energy and EPA to centralize and comprehensively evaluate reductions information related to the 47 Action Plan initiatives.1 Appendix C is a matrix that characterizes the DOE Climate Change Action Plan programs. 12 GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS AUGUST 1994 ------- Climate Wise is a partnership initiative run jointly by EPA and the Department of Energy. Climate Wise is managed by EPA's Office of Policy, Planning, and Evaluation (OPPE). Within OPPE, the program resides in the Air and Energy Policy Division, which is in OPPE's Office of Policy Analysis. EPA must develop a cohesive program despite two basic challenges. First, the program must be both specific and far reaching, since virtually all businesses use energy for a wide variety of purposes. Second, there is a bureaucratic difficulty because programs related to the Climate Wise initiative are managed in a variety of government agencies, including offices in EPA, the Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Transportation. GOAL The program is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by: • Encouraging reductions across all sectors of the economy • Encouraging participation in the full range of Action Plan initiatives • Fostering innovation Climate Wise Challenge Climate Wise challenges businesses to find creative ways to limit, reduce, or mitigate green- house gas emissions through participation in Climate Change Action Plan programs. Company actions may include: • Auditing and tracking energy use and efficiency • Altering production processes to reduce emissions • Switching to fuels with lower carbon-contents • Switching to renewable energy supplies • Implementing programs to encourage group transportation to work (e.g., carpools, mass transit) • Implementing carbon sequestration activities—urban and rural tree planting. • Participating in other voluntary initiatives, such as Green Lights, Motor Challenge, and WasteWi$e Pledge Program The Climate Wise Pledge Program provides participants with early recognition for their efforts. It is designed to encourage planning to meet emissions reduction achievements. AUGUST 1994 GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS 13 ------- Pledge program participants are required to identify and commit to actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, organizations are encouraged to: • Publish a corporate policy statement • Establish an energy management structure • Set performance improvement targets • Monitor and evaluate performance levels • Increase awareness of energy efficiency among employees and report performance changes and improvements to employees and stakeholders Current Climate Wise Pledge participants include: DuPont, Martin Marietta, Quad Graphics, AT&T, and Weyerhaeuser. BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION The Climate Wise Pledge Program gives organizations early recognition for their reduction commitments. Furthermore, participation provides companies with access to a centralized information system. Climate Wise staff are designing a technical assistance program that will include consulting services, workshops, guides, and a technical assistance clearinghouse. C. WAVE (WATER ALLIANCES FOR VOLUNTARY EFFICIENCY) HISTORY The concept of a voluntary program dedicated to achieving water use efficiency originated in the Office of Water in the wake of the success of other voluntary programs. The program was designed similar to Green Lights (an energy-saving program), but in this case to pro- mote more efficient water use. In December 1992, EPA held a press conference to announce its intent to start the Water Alliances for Voluntary Efficiency (WAVE) program. Hotels and lodging associations were targeted by EPA for this program. These associations had expressed interest in the idea, and EPA thought that hotels and lodging establishments could help educate the public. Hotels participating in the WAVE program provide informa- tion about water efficiency to their customers. GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS AUGUST 1994 ------- GOALS WAVE strives to benefit the lodging industry and the environment through: • Reducing water and energy consumption through the installment of water-efficient equipment • Linking water-use efficiency to reduced costs • Informing hotel guests and employees about the benefits of water efficiency In the long term EPA wishes to focus national attention on the importance of water and the need for more efficient water use. For this reason, EPA hopes to eventually expand the scope of the WAVE program to include schools, hospitals and businesses. RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERSHIP Hotels and motels that choose to take part in the WAVE program must sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with EPA. WAVE participants agree to: • Appoint a WAVE Implementation Manager • Survey water use devices in all facilities • Consider options for achieving greater water use efficiency and implement those options that maximize efficiency—provided they are profitable and do not compromise business operations • Upgrade water use devices so that 90% of the projected reductions in water use (by volume) are realized within five years • Incorporate water-efficient devices in new facility design • Provide annual information to EPA on efficiency measures implemented and the related savings in water, energy, and costs • Inform customers and employees about the benefits of water use efficiency BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP The program provides members with water and energy saving ideas that will actually result in a profit to WAVE partners. By changing to water efficient equipment and procedures, a hotel or motel can cut its water use by more than 15%. Most of the time the costs of invest- ments in such water-efficient equipment can be recovered in three years or less. Promising opportunities for cost-effective savings include changes in plumbing fixtures, cooling sys- tems, kitchens, laundries, landscaping, and swimming pools. EPA also provides the follow- ing products and services: AUGUST 1994 GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS ------- Options Analysis System—a computer software package that allows WAVE Partners to survey water use in facilities, evaluate water efficiency options, and choose the most cost-effective water efficiency upgrade. Training Workshops—meetings that will inform hotel management on the benefits of water efficiency and provide technical information to facility engineers. Supporter Program—WAVE supporters are equipment manufacturers, water management companies, and utilities that have agreed to educate customers about water efficiency. Endorser Program—membership associations and other organizations that support WAVE. Public Recognition—WAVE will place public-service advertisements in major publications and EPA will distribute ready-to-use promotional mate- rials to promote WAVE activities. D. WASTEWI$E PROGRAM HISTORY WasteWi$e was conceived in the fall of 1992 by the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. Success of voluntary programs such as Green Lights and 33/50 had proved that business and government could work together to help the environment. EPA's research found that by reducing the amount of waste generated, companies can save money on pur- chasing, mailing, disposal, packaging, and transportation costs. This fundamental idea prompted a discussion between EPA and an ad hoc group of business representatives to decide how to structure a voluntary solid waste reduction program. The program was intended, in its earliest stages, to require numerical targets for waste prevented, amount recycled, and purchase of recycled goods. Through consultation with businesses, EPA found that a flexible program was needed to elicit corporate support, allowing companies to set their own goals on a case-by-case basis. WasteWi$e was launched January 1, 1994 with a letter from the EPA Administrator to all of the Fortune 500 and Fortune Service 500 Companies. WasteWi$e gained 281 charter members by May 20, 1994. GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS AUGUST 1994 ------- GOAL WasteWi$e strives to reduce municipal solid waste. Members work toward this goal in three ways: • Waste prevention • Recycling collection • Manufacture or purchase of recycled products RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERSHIP Members must agree to provide the EPA with their goals and a yearly progress report. The annual reporting form asks companies to describe what they did, and to estimate the following: • Waste prevented • Amount of recyclable material collected • Additional money spent on recycled products Members are required to identify and implement three significant waste prevention actions2, establish or improve a program to collect recyclables, and increase their purchase or manufac- ture of recycled products. There is no restriction with respect to the size of the company. Trade associations and non-profit groups may also join. In addition, companies may start gradually with a pilot program at a single facility. Each participant in WasteWi$e is assigned a WasteWi$e representative that offers assistance and checks in with members several times a year. BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP EPA provides technical assistance to member companies. Reducing municipal solid waste has potential to reduce operating costs dramatically in the following ways: • Less waste relieves burdens on disposal facilities, conserves natural resources, reduces pollution and lowers companies' purchasing and dis- posal costs. • Recycling reduces waste disposal bills and in some cases, can generate rev- enue from the sale of recycled materials. • Buying or manufacturing recycled products ensures continuation of recy- cling efforts and will eventually drive down the cost of recycled goods. WasteWi$e companies have saved millions of dollars by simply reducing the waste they gen- erate. For example, NYNEX phone company was able to save $9 million in one year by switching to two-sided phone bills. 2 e.g., reduce paper use, redesign products or packaging methods that use less material. AUGUST 1994 GEMI REFERENCE TO E PA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS ------- Anheuser-Busch Companies have been achieving results in each of the three WasteWi$e areas for many years. The company recycles one can for each can of beer filled by its 13 breweries—17 billion—making it the largest recycler of aluminum beverage containers in the world. The 13 breweries also reuse or recycle 95% of all solid waste they generate. By finding recycling markets for many by-products, Anheuser-Busch breweries save nearly $1 million a year in landfill charges. Bill Sugar, Senior Director of Anheuser-Busch Environmental Affairs, feels that WasteWi$e is a logical program for Anheuser-Busch to be involved in, as it is consistent with the accomplishments they have made with respect to waste prevention, recycling, and purchase of recycled goods. He feels that this program will offer recognition for the company's progress, encouragement to company employees, and will perhaps push Anheuser-Busch's environmental practices to a new level. EPA provides brochures and tip sheets on waste prevention, and recycling to WasteWi$e member companies. In addition, companies may use the WasteWi$e logo on internal mate- rials (e.g., letterheads) and in general promotional materials. E. GLOBAL CHANGE DIVISION PROGRAMS EPA's Office of Air and Radiation is responsible for the growing number of programs that fall under the umbrella of the Global Change Division. Green Lights was the first program. Its success, combined with the President's Climate Change Action Program, led to the for- mation of Energy Star Programs (Energy Star Computers, Energy Star Buildings, and "Golden Carrot") and Methane Reduction Programs (AgSTAR, Natural Gas STAR, the Ruminant Livestock Methane Program, Coalbed Methane Outreach Program, and the Landfill Methane Outreach Program). The following sections summarize the Green Lights, Energy Star Computers, and Energy Star Buildings programs. Other initiatives under the Global Change Division are also briefly explained. GLOBAL CHANGE DIVISION GREEN LIGHTS PROGRAM HISTORY Green Lights was officially launched on January 16, 1991. It is considered the Flagship pro- gram of the Global Change Division. There were originally 39 Charter members from major U.S. corporations, but today the partnership has expanded to include public and private orga- nizations of all sizes. There are small and medium-sized businesses; federal, state, and local governments; non-profit groups; schools; universities; and health care facilities. EPA has also developed a series of Ally Programs with the lighting industry and an Endorser Program with organizations that help promote the Green Lights ideas. 18 GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS AUGUST 1994 ------- GOAL The program's goal is to prevent pollution by encouraging U.S. institutions to use energy- efficient lighting technologies. PARTICIPATION There are currently over 1,500 participants in the program. Participants are required to sur- vey their domestic facilities and upgrade lighting wherever it is profitable and improves or maintains lighting quality. A profitable project is one that—on a facility aggregate basis— maximizes energy savings while providing an annualized internal rate of return (IRR) that is greater than the prime interest rate plus 6 percentage points. This target is a "floor" rather than a "ceiling"; most lighting upgrades yield 20-40% IRRs. Participants must complete their lighting upgrades within 5 years. While the Green Lights program is flexible enough to allow organizations to approach implementation in their own ways, participants are encouraged to plan a "kickoff" meeting with the assistance of EPA representatives soon after joining the program. This meeting con- veys the organization's commitment to maximize energy savings, and provides a forum in which to discuss plans. A Green Lights team should be formed which identifies financial needs, conducts trial installations, and develops the 5 year action plan. Green Lights partic- ipants are asked to annually apprise EPA of their progress by using a 1-page Green Lights Implementation Report for each of their lighting surveys and upgrade projects. BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION EPA provides technical assistance including: a decision support software package, lighting upgrade workshops and manuals, a financing registry, and ally programs. EPA recognizes participants for their participation in the program through newsletters, arti- cles, media events, and public service advertisements. Also, EPA encourages participants to take advantage of their own opportunities for public recognition through appropriate use of the Green Lights logo and other materials that can be incorporated into internal communi- cations, public relations, marketing, and advertising. GLOBAL CHANGE DIVISION ENERGY STAR COMPUTERS GOAL Research has shown that much of the electricity generated through computer use is wasted. EPA's Energy Star Computers program is a voluntary program for computer manufacturers. AUGUST 1994 GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS 19 ------- They are asked to develop desktop computers, monitors and printers that can power-down while not in use. Energy Star Computers can reduce energy consumption by up to 70%. A Presidential Executive Order, in effect since October, 1993, directs U.S. agencies to pur- chase only desktop computers, monitors, and printers that meet EPA Energy Star require- ments for energy efficiency. This Executive Order should save taxpayers $40 million annu- ally. EPA urges private and other public organizations to commit to a similar Energy Star purchasing policy. RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERSHIP Computers Partners agree to manufacture personal computers and monitors capable of achieving a low-energy state during times of inactivity. EPA defines a "low power state" as less than or equal to 30 Watts for either the computer or the monitor. Similarly, Printers Partners agree to manufacture printers capable of entering a low-power state. "Low power state" is defined in the chart below: Printer Speed (pages/Min) 1-7 8-14 15 and up & color laser printers Default Time to Low-Power State (Minutes) 15 30 60 Max Power in Idle State (Watts) 30 30 45 BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP Energy Star Computers Partners selling compliant products may use the Energy Star5** logo to label their equipment. Partners may also promote their efficient products by using the logo in advertisements, brochures and catalogues. GLOBAL CHANGE DIVISION ENERGY STAR BUILDINGS HISTORY EPA's Energy Star Buildings program is a voluntary energy-efficiency program for U.S. com- mercial buildings. The program involves a five-stage process that builds on the Green Lights program. Green Lights serves as the first stage in the Energy Star Buildings implementation 20 GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS AUGUST 1994 ------- process. Like Green Lights, Energy Star Buildings focuses on the use of proven technologies to realize the most profitable investment opportunities. GOAL The goal of the Energy Star Buildings program is to maximize energy efficiency and profits simultaneously. The U.S. spends $70 billion a year to operate commercial and industrial buildings. New energy efficient technologies could cut this energy use by more than 40%, or roughly $28 billion per year. RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERSHIP The Energy Star Buildings program is based on an implementation process that considers system interactions and allows for additional energy savings while lowering capital expen- ditures. EPA asks participants to perform upgrades only where profitable. The five steps to energy efficiency are: 1) Implementing Green Lights 2) Tuning up the building's systems 3) Investing in upgrades that reduce heating and cooling loads 4) Improving fans and air-handling systems 5) Improving heating and cooling plants For 1994 EPA is working with 25 building owners on Energy Star showcase projects. Each participant has committed to complete a comprehensive, 5-stage upgrade within one year. This showcase program will result in buildings that can be used as examples for the nation- al program rollout in 1995. To participate in the Energy Star Buildings program, organizations must first join EPA's Green Lights program. They must also sign an addendum to the Green Lights Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Once an organization becomes a full Partner in Energy Star Buildings, it should survey all U.S.-owned commercial buildings to identify profitable effi- ciency upgrades which may yield a rate of return from energy savings greater than prime rate plus 6%. Of these identified Energy Star Building upgrades, 90% should be completed within seven years. BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP EPA publicly recognizes companies for their participation in the Energy Star Buildings pro- gram. EPA will provide technical assistance to help plan and implement building upgrades. Assistance includes a general upgrade/retrofit manual, a fan system upgrade manual, soft- AUGUST 1994 GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS 21 ------- ware to calculate savings from upgraded fan systems, a database of financing programs for building efficiency upgrades, case studies, and many other informational guides. GLOBAL CHANGE DIVISION OTHER INITIATIVES Energy STAR Programs "Golden Carrot" incentive programs establish partnerships among indus- trial end-users, original equipment manufacturers, and other suppliers, util- ities, distributors, and state agencies to promote delivery of state-of-the-art, more efficient technology to the marketplace. Methane Reduction Programs AgSTAR is a voluntary program which encourages the widespread use of technologies to increase livestock production profits. By investing in these technologies, AgSTAR participants realize substantial returns through reduced electrical, gas, and oil bills, revenues form high-quality manure by- products and savings on manure management operational costs. Partners also reduce pollution associated with water resources, odor, and global warming. Natural Gas STAR is designed to encourage natural gas companies to adopt best management practices that can profitably reduce emissions of methane—the major component of natural gas. The Ruminant Livestock Methane Program identifies and encourages use of best management practices for increasing efficiency of milk and meat productions. The result is a reduction in methane emissions from cattle in key regions. The Coalbed Methane Outreach Program encourages US coal mines to remove and use methane that is otherwise wasted during mining. In addi- tion to reducing emissions of methane, these projects have important eco- nomic benefits for the mines and their local economies. The Landfill Methane Outreach Program encourages landfill owner/operators to turn a liability into an asset. Through this program, EPA is working with municipal and private landfill owners and operators, states, utilities, and other federal agencies to promote the use of landfill gas as an energy resource. 22 GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS AUGUST 1994 ------- F. DESIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT HISTORY EPA's Design for the Environment (DfE) Program was established in September 1992 in order to further the Agency's goals of promoting pollution prevention and risk reduction in American industry. Many sectors of industry were already thinking in terms of "design- ing for" certain qualities or traits in their products, and EPA wanted to establish a pro- gram to help industry design products, processes, and technologies with the environment in mind. GOALS The DfE Program works to bring industry the information and tools it needs to integrate pollution prevention and risk management into its decision-making processes. Through the DfE Program, EPA develops voluntary partnerships with industry, professional and envi- ronmental organizations, state and local governments, other federal agencies, and the pub- lic. These partnerships develop environmental risk, performance, and cost information about industry processes and alternative processes. This information will enable industry decision-makers to make choices that will reduce environmental risk in a cost effective manner, resulting in a cleaner environment and an improved economic outlook for American industry. DfE PROJECTS UNDERWAY Institutional Projects • Accounting and Capital Budgeting: EPA is working with the private sector to develop accounting processes that consider environmental costs and benefits, thereby helping businesses to recognize their environmental costs. • Chemical Design: EPA and the National Science Foundation are encourag- ing universities to research alternative methods for chemical production which minimize or eliminate hazardous substances. • Curriculum Development: The National Pollution Prevention Center at the University of Michigan, established by the EPA, is developing curricula in a variety of disciplines which incorporate pollution prevention, life-cycle analysis, and DfE principles, rather than traditional end-of-pipe pollution control techniques. • Risk Management/Insurance: Through a cooperative effort with the American Institute of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters, EPA is AUGUST 1994 GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS 23 ------- helping to incorporate pollution prevention into the curriculum for the Institute's certification program for Associates in Risk Management. Financing: EPA will conduct outreach to businesses and the financial com- munity to find ways to address the problem of obtaining money for pollu- tion prevention investments. Cooperative Industry Projects Dry Cleaning Project: DfE is working with the dry cleaning industry and environmental organizations to reduce exposure to perchloroethylene ("perc"). EPA will examine alternative technologies, solvents, and control methods as part of a Cleaner Technology Substitutes Assessment. Printing Project: EPA and industry are working together to collect pollution prevention information specific to small and medium-sized printers. Project committees are developing cleaner technology assessments, and outreach strategies and information products to communicate the results of the pro- ject to printers. Printed Wiring Board Project: DfE is working with the printed wiring board industry to identify and evaluate alternative manufacturing process- es, technologies, and chemicals that may reduce environmental impact. Cleaning Products: EPA and the General Services Administration (GSA) are working together to promote the use of environmentally preferred cleaning products in government-owned buildings. This is an effort to develop stan- dards for cleaning products, performing integrated risk assessments, and evaluating product performance. G. BUILDING AIR QUALITY ALLIANCE HISTORY The program, which will commence sometime in 1994, is based primarily on material con- tained in Building Air Quality, A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers3. Early in 1994, key leaders representing a variety of interests met and noted the success of volun- tary programs, such as Green Lights. They felt that a similar voluntary partnership program could best implement the ideas in the Building Air Quality manual. 3 This manual was published in 1991 by EPA and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 24 GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS AUGUST 1994 ------- GOAL The goal of the Program is to improve indoor air quality in commercial and public buildings. GUIDING PRINCIPLES The following principles serve as an underlying philosophy that reflect participants' com- mitment to improving indoor air quality. • Make Indoor Air Quality a Priority: Institute health, open communication, and respect as priority principles for building operators and occupants. • Know How to Prevent Pollution: Implement training schedules to educate building staff in current indoor air quality practices and disseminate new guidance as it becomes available. • Practice Indoor Air Quality Management: Prevent pollution by implement- ing best indoor air quality management practices. • Fix Things That Go Wrong: Establish effective problem-resolution proce- dures and act to solve problems promptly. PARTICIPATION The Building Air Quality Alliance will include Alliance Members and Building Partners. Alliance Members will be national organizations that can spur changes in indoor air quali- ty. They will develop policies and operating principles for the Alliance. The Alliance mem- bership will represent diverse interests, including national non-profit organizations, associ- ations, and governmental entities. The Alliance will be created through a multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among Alliance Members. Building Partners will include building owners and managers who have committed to a set of Guiding Principles. They have pledged to implement an Action Plan of indoor air quali- ty management practices adopted by the Alliance. Building Partners will join by submitting a statement of commitment to the Alliance. BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP Building Partners will receive support from the Alliance in the form of guidance, training, and recognition for their commitment. In addition, their efforts to improve indoor air qual- ity may lead to: • Increased marketability • Better health and productivity for building occupants AUGUST 1994 GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS 25 ------- • Improved energy efficiency • Reduced cleaning and other costs due to bad air quality The Building Air Quality Alliance will be formally launched in Fall, 1994. H. PROGRAMS IN DEVELOPMENT NATIONAL WASTE MINIMIZATION PLAN A National Waste Minimization Plan has recently been announced. The program will con- sist of various voluntary approaches. A special section on hazardous waste minimization may be included. A draft plan was issued in May to industry groups, and EPA is now tak- ing public comments. Meetings will continue this summer by invitation only. Organizers want to implement the program by November, 1994. EPA Administrator Carol Browner has put large quantity hazardous waste generators on notice that they have to meet waste minimization requirements. In August a list will be pub- lished that names all waste generators and will be made available to community groups. Citizen groups will be able to see which companies in their communities are emitting haz- ardous wastes. Implicit in the list is the information that these companies are required to have waste minimization programs. Browner is encouraging the listed companies to make public their waste minimization pro- grams, although it is not being required. This is not a traditional voluntary program, but rather a strong-arm effort by EPA to get companies to publicly disclose waste minimization programs, and if they have not implement such programs, being on the list may prompt them to do so. PESTICIDE USE / RISK REDUCTION INITIATIVE The Pesticide Use/Risk Reduction Initiative, announced in June 1993, is a joint effort of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and EPA to reduce the use of pesticides that pose unreasonable risks to humans and the environment. Through a coordinated strategy, the federal government is committed to work with all affected interests (including commodity organizations, public interest groups, federal, state and local government agencies, researchers and industry rep- resentatives) to develop a plan which reduces the risks posed by pesticides while maintain- ing cost-effective pest control methods. The Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), coordinates 26 GEM I REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS AUGUST 1994 ------- EPA's activities in support of the Initiative. (The lead for the use/risk reduction initiative within OPP will be phased-in to OPP's new pilot division, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (BPPD)). This includes coordinating EPA's efforts with those of USDA and FDA, providing pesticide usage data, conducting economic and biological analyses of policy options and meeting with affected interests to identify opportunities for the reduction in pesticide use and risk. The EPA, USDA and FDA have set up an interagency task force to develop an overall strat- egy and implementation plan for the Initiative. There are five subgroups that have been charged with developing the major components of the overall strategy. The groups have been organized around the following topics: • Measuring progress—comprehensive program to measure pesticide use in relation to its associated risk • Incentives—legislative, regulatory, and administrative incentives that will foster a reduction in pesticide use/risk • Alternative technologies that reduce pesticide use/risk • Research—setting priorities, insuring proper funding, demonstrating the results, and incorporation of results into production practices • Implementation issues to identify barriers, find solutions, and ensure the strategy becomes a reality. EPA has stressed that the development of a commodity-specific pesticide use/risk reduction strategy is a bottom-up flexible process which depends upon the input, commitment and good faith of pesticide users. EPA has prepared a guidance document to assist pesticide user organizations. The guidance is not intended to be a directive and allows for maximum flexibility so that EPA can be true to its commitment to build these strategies from the bottom-up. AUGUST 1994 GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS 27 ------- APPENDIX A TRENDS IN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY: STATE AND LOCAL INITIATIVES The following state and local programs are worth mentioning because they, like the federal vol- untary programs, may suggest the possible direction of future environmental policies towards pollution prevention, waste reduction, and government-sponsored technical assistance. Partial Listing of State and Local Initiatives (As cited in EPA's 1993 Reference Guide to Pollution Prevention Resources and the Waste Reduction Resource Center's Summary of State Waste Reduction Programs.) Alaska Colorado Georgia Hawaii Illinois Iowa Massachusetts Minnesota New Mexico Tennessee Washington West Virginia Waste Reduction Assistance Program (WRAP) Small Business Hazardous Material Management Project (HMMP) Denver Water Conservation Program Pollution Prevention and Waste Reduction Program Project Petro (Waste Oil Recycling Program) Georgia Multimedia Source Reduction and Recycling Program Hazardous Waste Minimization Program Illinois Hazardous Waste Research and Information Center's (HWRIC's) Pollution Prevention program Iowa Waste Reduction Center Toxics Use Reduction Institute Minnesota Technology Assistance Program (MNTAP) Municipal Water Pollution Prevention Program Waste Reduction Assessment and Technology Transfer Training Program (WRATT) Waste Reduction, Recycling, and Litter Control Program Pollution Prevention and Open Dump Program 28 GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS AUGUST 1994 ------- TWO SPECIFIC EXAMPLES: The Erie County, NY Pollution Prevention Program The Erie. County Office of Pollution Prevention (ECOPP) Program was established in 1990 to provide assistance to industry, public institutions, and local governments to evaluate and develop methods to produce less waste, especially hazardous materials. ECOPP fills the void where small and medium-sized businesses have been left out of state-wide pollution preven- tion programs and regulations despite their proportional contribution to the overall pollution problem. ECOPP's services are confidential, non-regulatory and free of charge. They provide: • On-site reviews of operating practices, processes, and equipment, along with follow-up letters with site-specific recommendations for implementing pollution prevention concepts. • Industry and trade group workshops. • Publication of newsletters for their constituency (mailing list of over 4,000 companies). This assistance is focused on reducing waste generation at its source in the manufacturing process, instead of reducing its volume once it has been generated. Pennsylvania Although this is a regulatory program, it resembles voluntary programs such as Erie County Pollution Prevention Program and WasteWi$e. Pennsylvania's PK-4 Program is based on new regulations that address the problem of industrial solid waste, an issue that has previously been neglected by the federal government due to insufficient information. Industrial solid waste accounts for 94% of all U.S. waste and includes combustion residues, foundry sand, inorganic chemical wastes, pulp and paper wastes, fuel-contaminated soil, asbestos-contain- ing wastes, nonhazardous waste oil, industrial equipment, and many other materials. Pennsylvania's regulations establish the following environmental safeguards: groundwater protection system, pollution prevention requirements, and guidance for regulators and the regulated community. Two of these three major areas of interest correspond with the prin- ciples of WasteWi$e: • Both PK-4 and WasteWi$e concentrate on source reduction or preventing waste before it is generated. PK-4 requires Pennsylvania's businesses to submit a permit application for each major type of waste being processed or disposed. AUGUST 1994 GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS 29 ------- • PK-4 and WasteWi$e provide technical assistance to waste generators. Pennsylvania's DER has hired additional staff to help produce and dis- tribute permit applications and information sheets, as well as providing the public with information sessions to explain Pennsylvania's new regu- lations. WasteWi$e provides technical assistance to member companies and case studies describing the savings other companies have achieved through the program. Pennsylvania's program stands out, as it is based on a set of regulations that reflect the full environmental cost of disposal and require source reduction at the same time. 30 GEMI REFERENCE TO EPA VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS AUGUST 1994 ------- APPENDIX B Participation of GEMI Members in Voluntary Programs4 33/50 Program Allied Signal Inc. Georgia-Pacific Corporation Amoco Corporation Johnson & Johnson Anheuser-Busch Companies Merck & Company, Inc. AT&T Occidental Petroleum Corp. Boeing Company Olin Corporation Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Procter & Gamble Company Coors Brewing Company Tenneco Inc. Dow Chemical Company Union Carbide Corporation DuPont Company Eastman Kodak Company Green Lights Allied Signal Inc. Duke Power Amoco Corporation Florida Power & Light Boeing Johnson & Johnson Browning-Ferris Industries Merck & Co. Inc. The Coca-Cola Company WMX Technologies Digital Equipment Corp. Climate Wise AT&T The DuPont Company Georgia Pacific Corporation Energy star Computers Apple Computer Company AT&T Digital Equipment Corp. WasteWi$e Anheuser-Busch Companies Florida Power & Light AT&T Georgia-Pacific Corp. Boeing Johnson & Johnson Browning-Ferris Industries Procter & Gamble Coors Brewing Company Union Carbide The DuPont Company WMX Technologies Eastman Kodak Company 'Based on EPA Information provided in June, 1994 ------- DOB CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION PLAN PROGRAMS •Umbrella* Cross-Cutting Program*: Climate Wise Qimate Qufleme Commercial Energy Efficiency Opportunities: Coordination of Rebuild America & EPA Energy Star Buildings State Revolving Fund for Public Buildings Cost -Shared Demonstration of Emerging Technologies Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Information and Traininc Residential Energy Efficiency Opportunities: "Golden Carrot" Market Pull Partnerships Enhanced Residential Appliance Standards Home Energy Ratings Systems & Energy- Efficient Mortgages "Cool Communities" Program in Cities & Federal Facilities Upgrading Residential Building Standards Energy Value Homes Industrial Energy Efficiency Opportunities: Motor Challenge "Golden Carrot" Programs for High-Efficiency Industrial Air Compressors, Pumps, Fans, Drives Accelerating Adoption of Energy Efficient Pollution Prevention Technologies for Industry Expand and Enhance Energy & Diagnostic Centers Accelerate Source Reduction, Pollution Prevention & Recycling Energy Supply Opportunities: Commercialize High Efficiency Gas Technologies Renewable Energy Market Mobilization Collaborative & Technology Demonstration Promote Integrated Resource Planning Retain and Improve Hydroelectric Generation at Existing Dams Accelerated Development of Efficiency Standards for Electric Transformers Methane Reduction and Recovery Opportunities: Expanded RD&D for Methane Recovery from Coal Mining Expanded RD&D for Methane Recovery from Landfills EDUC • * • * • • * • • * TECH ASSIST. • • * * * » • » * * * * * LOANS/ GRANTS * * * * • * • * * * INFO. DISSEM. • * * • * • * * * * * RECOG- NITION • * * * • * • PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS * • * * * * * * • * »* * * * * * * * * DEMO. PROJECTS * * * * * • •a TJ m Z O X o ------- |