Fermilab recognizes the importance of maintaining an Environmental Management System (EMS). An EMS is a set of practices and processes that enable an organization to monitor its environmental impacts — both positive and negative — via an ongoing cycle of planning, implementing, evaluating and improving performance. As part of our EMS, Fermilab routinely evaluates its operations and targets operations and activities where environmental improvement is achievable. The core tenets of our EMS are outlined in the laboratory’s senior level policy document, the Fermilab policies.
Policy highlights include:
- integrating environmental consideration into every action at Fermilab
- minimizing emissions and effluents
- employing sound pollution prevention and waste reduction practices
- continually improving programs for protecting the environment
- employing products that contain recycled material, prevent pollution, are safe, energy-efficient, and protective of the environment, and can be reused, recycled, or disposed of safely
- demonstrating to the public the means to minimize or avoid environmental impacts
- avoiding harming cultural resources, protected species, natural habitats and ecologically sensitive areas
- educating experimenters and employees at all levels to appreciate and protect our environmental resources