FY2003 OSWER Innovation Pilot Results Fact Sheet oEPA Testing Chemical Management Services in Universities: A Market-Based Approach to Reducing Chemical Use and Wbste he Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response initiated a series of innovative pilot projects to test ideas and strategies for improved environmental and public health results. This series of fact sheets highlights the innovative approaches, results, and environmental and economic benefits from the pilot projects that may be replicated across various sectors, industries, communities, and regions. PROJECT DESCRIPTION/INNOVATION EPA awarded an Innovation grant to the non-profit organization Chemical Strategies Partnership to evaluate the viability of the Chemical Management Services (CMS) model for facilitating the reduction, reuse and recycling of chemicals in colleges and universities, CMS—a process that involves chemical suppliers in the management of chemicals from purchase to disposal—is a proven, innovative approach used widely in the automotive, aerospace and microelectronics manufacturing sectors. But at the time, it had never been introduced into an academic setting. This project encouraged colleges and universities to rethink the way they manage chemicals, leading to significant improvements in health and environmental safety, as well as cost savings. BACKGROUND Colleges and universities require chemicals for research, educational, custodial, and maintenance purposes. Chemical use was typically characterized by a high diversity of chemicals used in relatively small quantities by many users. Historically, the academic research structure contained no incentives to reduce chemical storage or use more benign chemicals, so over-purchasing is common. Although universities have many chemical users that are often responsible for labeling, handling, and storing, these users often receive no training in environmental health and safety nor hazardous waste handling and disposal. These poor chemical management practices create health and safety incidents and have led to enforcement actions that might otherwise be avoided. EPA regional enforcement initiatives focusing on colleges and universities, and chemical incidents in secondary schools and research facilities demonstrated a need Completed two case studies with Dartmouth College and University of New Hampshire to identify institutional needs and responsibilities as well as process and regulatory requirements. Researched conditions at each university, such as how chemicals are handled throughout their lifecycle, including, but not limited to: purchases, procurement, inventory, use, collection/disposal, environmental health and safety, emergency preparedness, users, waste storage, tracking, and liability. Helped the universities define their chemical management needs and goals, and develop a chemical management vision. for improvement in their management of chemicals, in response, educational institutions have been struggling to find effective approaches to better manage chemicals. Traditionally, chemical suppliers sell chemicals to their customers on a volume basis to increase profits, but the CMS model seeks to change this from a volume and sales orientation to a service orientation. Suppliers become service providers and are paid one fee to both purchase and manage chemicals for the institution. In the CMS model, financial incentives reward chemical suppliers for successfully reducing waste and identifying benign alternatives to toxic chemicals. Changing the profit driver for the supplier creates an incentive for long-term waste reduction and establishes a cooperative relationship for future creative environmental problem solving. Widely used by large manufacturers in the automotive, aerospace and microelectronics sectors, the CMS model ------- had already demonstrated environmental benefits such as reduced chemical usage, reduced emissions of chemicals and reduced waste generation. It had also delivered substantial cost savings, with programs averaging 30 percent and up to 50 percent total cost reduction in the first five years of CMS implementation. PROJECT SUMMARY In 2003, in partnership with EPA Region 9 and chemical suppliers, the nonprofit Chemical Strategies Partnership (CSP) evaluated the potential for CMS to enable universities to better manage their chemicals and reduce waste. This pilot project built upon previous case study research by testing the effectiveness of CMS at Dartmouth College and the University of New Hampshire. The pilot explored whether a CMS program could cost effectively facilitate chemical management, and reduce or eliminate superfluous hazardous chemicals at both universities. The pilot assessed their baseline chemical management costs, evaluated their needs, and assisted Dartmouth College in writing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to distribute to their current vendors and other potential CMS providers. Subsequently, Dartmouth reviewed the bids to select the most effective chemical management strategy. RESULTS CSP conducted outreach activities on CMS via conferences and the Internet. They also completed two case studies with Dartmouth College and University of New Hampshire to identify chemical management approaches used by colleges and universities. Dartmouth College agreed to participate in a pilot exploring the use of CMS, which indicated that CMS could be a viable and cost-effective solution for proper chemical management at universities. As a result of the pilot, Dartmouth sought to procure CMS providers to assist them in developing a CMS Program. A final report on this case study can be found on the EPA Chemical Management Services Web Page (see link in additional information). Results from this grant were leveraged to conduct a pilot study in K-12 schools in Lansing, Michigan; a year after this study began, a CMS/Resource Management contract was signed to service the entire school district. Lead: Chemical Strategies Partnership Sponsor: U.S. EPA Region 9 Other Partners: • Dartmouth College • University of New Hampshire OSWER Innovation Projects: www.epa.gov/oswer/iwg/pilots/ EPA Chemical Management Services (CMS): www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/wastemin/minimize/cms.htm EPA Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3): www.epa.gov/epawaste/partnerships/sc3 Chemical Strategies Partnership - Pilot Case Study: www.chemicalstrategies.org/resources_pilotsprog.htm 2010 UPDATE As the need for CMS programs continues to grow, EPA supports the use of CMS by sharing information and resources on its Web site as well as supporting pilot projects involving the implementation of CMS in new sectors. Additionally, in partnership with nonprofit organizations, industry associations, and universities, EPA has implemented the Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3), which aims to ensure that all schools are free from hazards associated with mismanaged chemicals. In October 2009, EPA recognized 11 organizations for their outstanding SC3 volunteer efforts. These efforts involved the collective removal of more than 70,000 pounds of outdated, unknown, unneeded, and in some cases, highly hazardous chemicals from approximately 300 K-12 schools across the United States. SEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency OSWER Innovation Pilot Results Fact Sheet - Testing Chemical Management Services in Universities: A Market-Based Approach to Reducing Chemical Use and Waste ¦ June 2010 ------- |