Occupational Health, Safety & Environment Santé, …greenhill-collineverte.parl.gc.ca/pdf/CCME-e.pdf · Occupational Health, Safety & Environment Santé, sécurité et environnement

HOUSE OF COMMONS

CHAMBRE DES COMMUNES

Occupational Health, Safety & Environment

Santé, sécurité et environnement 390-180 Wellington, Ottawa, Ontario KIA OA6

November 26, 2004 Ms. Sue McKinlay Canadian Centre for Pollution Prevention 100 Charlotte St. Sarnia, ON, N7T 4R2 Dear Ms. McKinlay, On behalf of the Steering Committee of the Partners for a Green Hill, I am pleased to submit an application for the 2005 CCME Pollution Prevention Award. We are proud to apply for the category entitled “Overall Prevention Efforts –Institution”. Partners for a Green Hill – Preserving our Past, Protecting our Future is a partnership between the Senate of Canada, the House of Commons, the Library of Parliament and Public Works and Government Services Canada Parliamentary Precinct Directorate. Please find attached the required submission with supporting letters. Should you require additional information or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact Lynn Brunet, [email protected], at (613) 947-0854. Regards,

Benoît Giroux Manager Occupational Health, Safety and Environment Att.

mailto:[email protected]

2005 CCME Pollution Prevention Award Submission

Partnership Initiatives for a Greener Environment

Application Category

Overall Pollution Prevention Efforts – Institution

Submitted by: Partners for a Green Hill Project Contact: Lynn Brunet, Partners for a Green Hill Environment Officer Phone: 613-947-0854 Fax: 613-943-0848 E-mail: [email protected] Address: Occupational Health, Safety & Environment House of Commons, 180 Wellington, Rm 390, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A6 Web site: http://www.parl.gc.ca/Information/About/Greenhill/home- e.asp?Language=E

Submitted electronically to: Sue McKinlay at [email protected]

Canadian Centre for Pollution Prevention, Sarnia, ON

mailto:[email protected]

2005 CCME Pollution Prevention Award Submission Overall Pollution Prevention Efforts – Institution

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Executive Summary The Partners for a Green Hill organization was formed to improve existing environmental programs and implement new initiatives on Parliament Hill. The four Partners in the organization - Senate, House of Commons, Library of Parliament and Public Works and Government Services Canada Parliamentary Precinct Directorate (PWGSC-PPD) - have accomplished many pollution prevention achievements over the past few years. Three of their innovative projects are highlighted in this award submission:

• EcoLogoM Certification of Printing Services; • Green Procurement Policies; and • Paper Towel Composting Program.

Printing Services received EcoLogoM certification in 2002 based on the efforts of employees to reduce pollution in the workplace through initiatives such as fresh water saving measures, diversion of waste water from the municipal sewer system, reduction in waste paper, elimination of hazardous cleaning products, introduction of dry, less hazardous chemicals and an overall improvement in job efficiency. Green Procurement Policies were approved and are now included in all bids for products and services purchased by the Senate and the House of Commons. This has lead to the purchase of greener products and services that has not only reduced pollution on Parliament Hill but has promoted suppliers to seek out greener alternatives. A pilot project for the composting of paper towels in washrooms on Parliament Hill was started in 2002. This has proved to be a successful initiative as thousands of kilograms of paper towel have been diverted from the landfill. Due to its success, the Paper Towel Composting Program was expanded in June 2004 to include all washrooms across Parliament Hill. To find out about additional environmental initiatives through the Partners for a Green Hill Program, you can visit the Web site at http://www.parl.gc.ca/Information/About/Greenhill/home-e.asp?Language=E.

http://www.parl.gc.ca/Information/About/Greenhill/home-e.asp?Language=E

2005 CCME Pollution Prevention Award SubmissioOverall Pollution Prevention Efforts – Institution

Description of the Organization Partners for a Green Hill – Preserving our Past, Protecting our Future is a partnership between the Senate, the House of Commons, the Library of Parliament and Public Works and Government Services Canada Parliamentary Precinct Directorate (PWGSC-PPD). The partnership enables the four institutions to combine their efforts by standardizing existing programs, sharing expertise, developing new policies and programs and continuing to play an environmental leadership role for all Canadians. Senior Management has approved these initiatives that guide the program’s commitment to preserve and enhance the Parliament Hill environment by implementing the “4Rs” of environmental protection – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rethink. The program involves the buildings and the working environment of more than 4000 people including Parliamentarians and their staff, employees of the Administration of the Senate, the House of Commons, the Library of Parliament, PWGSC - PPD and the general public. A Steering Committee ensures the successful coordination and implementation of an Environmental Management System (EMS) which includes environmental policy, Priorities and activities on Parliament Hill Project Description Through the Partners for a Green Hill organization, a number of successful environmental initiatives and programs have Pbeen undertaken to prevent pollution at the Lsource and reduce waste. In this award submission some of the key initiatives that have had a significant impact on pollution prevention on Initiative #1 – EcoLogoM Certification of Prin Objectives: The EcoLogoM certification process wreduce the environmental impacts of printing servicobjectives:

• Reduce water consumption; • Realize energy savings; • Reduce the amount of time required for

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artners for a Green Hill Steering Committee eft to Right – Serge D. Gourgue, Michel Dupéré, Monique Boutin, Serge Prud’homme

Parliament Hill will be highlighted.

ting Services

as an employee driven initiative designed to es operations by meeting the following

the printing process;


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• Avoid the disposal of hazardous substances into municipal sewer system; • Recover of silver film and film processor; • Improve worker health by reducing volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and

noise pollution; • Reduce the usage of toxic chemicals; • Decrease paper consumption; • Minimize packaging of products; • Reduce the amount of waste going to landfill; and • Continue to encourage environmentally sound initiatives and practices in the

workplace. Characteristics and Results: Environmental impact, cost savings and improved worker health are the three main reasons why a number of changes were implemented in Printing Services operations. In order to meet the objectives listed above, the following changes have been implemented over the past few years. The amount of fresh water used, and waste water produced, in the printing process has been substantially reduced. As well no water flows into the municipal sewer system. The following changes have been implemented.

• A “Tote System” was installed to collect all waste liquids from the printing operations. The contaminated water is now properly disposed of by a hazardous waste collector. This has not only stopped the flow of contaminated water into the municipal sewer system, but it has eliminated the handling of plastic containers previously used for wastewater collection, the risk of spills, overflows and possible Tote System environmental contamination. This new system has also realized a savings of $22,922/year.

• Special filters have been installed in the Fountain solution tanks attached to the presses. This has reduced the amount of contaminated water produced by 80%. Prior to this change the water was poured into the municipal sewer system. We are striving for zero tolerance for the release of diluted or treated chemicals. Now only 27 L of contaminated water flows into the “Tote System” per week. Also, the consumption of chemical solution was reduced by 50% realizing a savings of $3,654.43/year after the purchase of the required filters.

• The film processors have been equipped with Metafix Wash Control systems that re-circulate, replenish and discharge wash water. This system has realized a savings of 9,360 L of heated water/year to clean the machines and 23,400 L/year of water used in production not to mention the energy that is saved to heat-up the hot water! The system also recovers silver in the wastewater which is then sold, recycled and refined.


• On the Sorm press, the old conventional dampening system was replaced by an automatic dampening KOMPAC system. This modification permitted the elimination of the Jomac rotary roller wash system required for cleaning the conventional dampening system. Because of this change, a minimum of 20,866 L of water containing at least 230 L of chemical solution no longer enters the municipal sewer system. The KOMPAC system does not require any water for cleaning and produces only 3 L of waste solution per week, which is disposed of by a certified hazardous waste company. This equipment change has also realized a cost savings of at least $5549.13/year for the following reasons:

o requires one to two less barrels of chemical solution/year ($750.00);

o saves 300 sheets of paper per job as this is what was wasted to test the printer for each print job ($12.40);

o reduces wash up time from 45 minutes to 15 minutes for a savings of $3,250/year; and

o increases production time by 30/min per d Changes have been implemented to improve worker health aaccomplished with the following actions:

• The compressors that drive the cutting and folding mainsulated room to reduce the amount of noise pollution on the printing floor.

• The Perfect Binder has been removed so there are no hot glued pot. Toxic cleaning solvents have been repl

• Dry rather than liquid chemicals are now used in the freduced VOCs.

• Vegetable-oil based inks are used in the presses as theis consumed during equipment operation

There has been a concerted effort to conserve resources and sent to landfill. Examples of these efforts include the following

• Improvements to the presses have realized a savings iwasted and all scrap paper is recycled. For example, with the conventional dampening system, 300 sheets proper ink and water balances per job. There has beesheets are now required.

• Cleaning rags are properly cleaned at the proper facil• Cleaning solvents are purchased in bulk to eliminate n• Silver used in the film negatives is recuperated, sold,

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ay. Kompac system

nd safety. This has been

chines have been moved into an

longer any VOCs from the aced by low VOC alternatives. ilm processors which has

y are less toxic and less solution

reduce the amount of material : n the amount of paper that is on the Sorm press, in the past, of paper were needed to get n a 90% reduction and only 20

ities and then returned for reuse. on-recyclable packaging.

recycled and then refined.


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• Cardboard boxes from outside organizations are re-used for shipment of printed materials on a daily basis. This has realized savings as a reduced number of new boxes must be purchased. As well, the amount of cardboard recycling has been reduced so there is less energy consumption through the transportation of recycled materials and during the recycling process.

• The conversion of plate technology (DTP) to computer for small presses has eliminated the need for films and metal plates processing. This has resulted in an increase in quality assurance and a decrease in wasted materials.

• A two-sided plotter has been purchased to allow for increased product quantities using the same amount of electricity and a 50% reduction in paper use.

• All paper used in the printing processes contains recycled EcoFair 2003 content.

• Every step in the printing process was reviewed and measures were put in place to save time, money and the environment. The efficiency of the printing process continues to improve. For example, as indicated in the graphs below there has been a 66% reduction in chemical use in the printing process.

In 2000-2001, 1,750 L of chemicals were used to make 34,000,000 impressions,

however in 2003-2004, only 925L of chemicals were used for 53,000,000 impressions.


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• Clients can now preview proofs online which has reduced paper consumption and time requirements. This has also reduced courier costs and thus greenhouse gas emissions. Over the past three years, Printing Services has realized a savings of $11,054.22 in courier services.

• Changes in printing operations such as the use of dry rather than liquid chemicals for film processing has greatly reduced the amount of packaging. All waste packaging is recycled, if possible.

Date: Modifications to Printing Services commenced in 2001 and EcoLogoM certification was awarded in September 2002. Commitment to Pollution Prevention: The employees at Printing Services are leaders in pollution prevention. Every aspect of the printing process has been reviewed and modified to reduce environmental impacts. These initiatives originated with the Information Services Printing group who had a mandate to increase environmental awareness and responsibility throughout Printing Services. As demonstrated by the initiatives listed above, improvements have been made to all aspects of the printing process. However, the commitment continues as there are plans to install a Waste Water Treatment System for all effluents produced from operations. As well, improved staff training should assist to reduce the amount of scrap paper that is produced. Furthermore, annual audits are conducted by a third-party to assure adherence to the required criteria for EcoLogoM certification. Transferability: Printing Services were the first printer in the Federal sector to receive EcoLogoM certification. They have exceeded the requirements for EcoLogoM certification and have set an example for other printing services to follow. Printing Services is committed to reducing the burden on the environment by working with companies who have chosen to meet stringent environmental criteria such as the EcoLogoM certification. Those companies who are contracted to print materials are required to use EcoLogoM certified paper for all printing jobs. Innovation: A number of innovative changes have been implemented into the printing process. Those that demonstrate leadership in the field and/or have the potential to change environmental problems (and solutions) of different industries include:

• The “Tote System” that was installed to collect all effluents produced during the printing process demonstrates the innovation of pollution prevention in Printing Services. Only the waste from the toilets flows into the municipal sewer system!

• When it became clear that the EcoLogoM certification did not encompass all operations (the program only offered certification for Lithographic Print, not Digital Print), the Partners for a Green Hill worked to improve the Environmental Choice Program by suggesting a separate certification for Digital Print, which proved to be successful.


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Partners for a Green Hill became the first one in Canada to receive the EcologoM Digital printing certification. In the near future, three other private companies will also become certified for the digital printing process.

Initiative #2 – Green Procurement Policies Objectives: Green procurement is factoring environmental considerations into purchasing decisions, wherever possible and economically feasible. The purchasing of goods and services impacts the environment, either by the consumption of raw materials or the discarding of waste or both. The institutions involved in the Partnership wanted to complete the following tasks:

• Develop a green procurement policy that would be included in all competitive process documents.

$$$• Ensure that all goods and services purchased are evaluated based on the environmental performance of the product/service.

• Purchase goods and services from companies who demonstrate environmentally sound business practices.

• Reduce pollution by purchasing goods and services that have a lower impact on the environment.

• Become resource efficient by giving preference to reusable content, and recycled materials over virgin materials, as well as the conservation of water and energy.

• Implement the life-cycle perspective everyday by looking at the costs beyond the purchase price.

Characteristics: The Partners for a Green Hill program is a leader in promoting environmental stewardship. To minimize pollution on Parliament Hill, it was necessary to include environmental clauses in requests for proposals and standing offers for goods and services. It was also acknowledged that if suppliers were required to consider the environmental impact of the goods and services that were provided, this could initiate change in the marketplace. It was decided that all RFPs must have a minimum of a 5% weighting dedicated to environmental clauses so that environmental performance is a factor in the choice of products and services. The following statement is utilized in competitive process documents and is used as an evaluation criterion in the competitive process with regards to environmental factors. “Suppliers must demonstrate and develop good environmental practices. Proposals will be evaluated on their environmental initiatives and suppliers must indicate in what way they promote a safe environment in their manufacturing, administrative and/or purchasing practices, e.g., ISO 14001 certification, a formal environmental policy, mission statement, implemented environmental audit and review program, packaging, recycled or remanufactured content, take-back programs, renewable and/or sustainable sources, ecolabels such as EcoLogoM, Energy Star, Green Seal, Energuide, etc., non-hazardous, minimal, reusable, recyclable packaging, etc.”


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Purchasing officers were also directed to consider the costs and environmental impacts over the lifetime of a product or service (raw material extraction, manufacturing, packaging, transport, energy consumption, maintenance, and disposal). Date: Since 2003 products and services have been evaluated based on environmental criteria. Results Achieved: Today, there is 100% compliance with the integration of the above mentioned statement in all requests for proposals. Some of the green products and services currently being used on Parliament Hill include the following:

• SECCURE-TEX cleaning cloths made from synthetic microfibres have been purchased. These cloths dislodge dirt with just one swipe, without the use of chemical products, on most surfaces. By using these cloths, the quantity of chemical products used in the past has been reduced (70% reduction) and a savings of at least $15,000/year has been realized. As well, this cleaning method recommends lighter, more ergonomic equipment and reduces the health and safety risk to employees and saves time. The initial cost of SECCURE-TEX cloths implementing this new program was significant, totalling approximately $80,000 (materials and equipment). Nonetheless, the return on the investment will only be four years.

• All paper used in photocopiers and printers contains recycled content. • All purchased photocopiers, printers and computers are Energy Star which means that

they are 10 to 50% more energy efficient than standard products. • All new printers have duplexing capabilities to encourage double-sided printing and a

reduction in paper usage. • Suppliers are responsible for taking back and reusing/recycling all packaging. • During renovation projects, demolition waste must be correctly disposed of to minimize

the amount of waste sent to landfills. For example, carpet is to be recycled.

• Greener transportation through the use of alternate fuels in motor vehicles used on Parliament Hill and the purchase of hybrid vehicles. These vehicles use renewable energy sources, very little fuel and thus a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. A savings of $406.42 in fuel costs was realized over an eight month period after the purchase of just one Hybrid Vehicles hybrid vehicle.

Commitment to Pollution Prevention: Partners for a Green Hill is committed to safeguarding the environment by preventing pollution before it occurs by refusing to buy products and services that do not meet certain environmental criteria. Evaluation criteria regarding environmental


factors are included in all competitive process documents. As well, all employees who have purchasing responsibilities are required to take a green procurement training course to improve their understanding of the requirements of making green purchases. There is also a green procurement expert on staff available to assist procurement officers with purchasing. Furthermore, annual environmental awards are given out to acknowledge exemplary ecological practices amongst staff. Transferability: Due to the fact that suppliers of products and services to Parliament Hill are required to meet certain environmental criteria, it has been noted that suppliers are now offering greener products and services. For example, Xerox was subjected to a very thorough examination of their business practices, including design, manufacture, procurement, distribution, maintenance, reuse/recycling and disposal of related products in order to qualify as a major supplier. As well, some suppliers/service providers have been recognized for their environmentally sound business practices. For example, Metro Waste Recycling Inc. (WRI) provides recycling services for all of Parliament Hill. In 2000, the Recycling Council of Ontario awarded the WRI MINIMUM WASTE ® with the Outstanding Waste Diversion Program award. Innovation: Partners for a Green Hill are a leader in green procurement. The integration of policies into purchasing decisions has increased the demand for greener products and services thus driving changes within industry to seek out new technologies to minimize the creation of pollutants and waste materials. The purchasing of greener products and services has realized financial savings in the area of reduced procurement and more efficient use of materials. Initiative #3 – Paper Towel Composting Program Objectives: On Parliament Hill organics and compostable paper towels account for 50% of the waste stream. Partners for a Green Hill has implemented a paper towel composting program in the washrooms on Parliament Hill. This program was introduced to:

• divert waste from the landfill; • reduce greenhouse gas emissions from landfill; • decrease the possibility of groundwater

contamination from leachate; • promote environmental responsibility to employees,

clients, and visitors; and • increase the availability of compost to improve

texture and fertility of soil. Characteristics and Results Achieved: The paper towels are transported to a landfill site where they are composted and spread over the landfill to decrease wind erosion and enrich thesoil. In 2002-2003, two buildings were audited for paper towel

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Recycling Paper Towel composting and results indicated


that over 3,781 kg of paper towel were diverted from landfill. As the program expands across Parliament Hill, the diversion of paper towel from the landfill will continue to increase. Date: In January 2002, the pilot project was initiated. Due to its success, the Paper Towel Composting Program was expanded in June 2004 to include all washrooms on Parliament Hill in the Centre Block, Confederation, East Block, Justice, Victoria and West Block buildings. By the end of November the program will be fully implemented in the Senate East Block and Centre Block. Commitment to Pollution Prevention: As stated, this pilot project has been expanded to all of the washrooms across Parliament Hill. The program has been launched with a communications campaign so that all employees are informed of the composting program and its benefits. The estimated implementation cost for the composting program for paper towels was $39,000. This amount included equipment, bags, labour, and the hauling contract. Estimated annual savings from the reduction of landfill waste is $9,962. Transferability: Once the infrastructure was put in place, the implementation of a paper towel composting program has been an effective means for pollution prevention. In November 2004, meetings are planned to meet with other building owners and PWGSC representatives to discuss implementation of the Partners for a Green Hill Recycling and Composting Programs. There are many tenants from the Senate, the House of Commons and the Library of Parliament that are located in private buildings where the Partners for a Green Hill programs are not yet implemented. PInnovation: Today, the recycling of paper and multi-materials is coorganizations. However, on Parliament Hill organic waste has been woodchips and sawdust since 1991. The addition of the paper toweldemonstrates the Partners for a Green Hill commitment to developininnovative ways to protect and reduce our impact on the environmen

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aper Towel Recycling Logo mmon practice in most composted since 1995 and composting program g and implementing

t.


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Supporting Letters Please find attached supporting letters from independent sources for some of the pollution prevention initiatives implemented by Partners for a Green Hill. Letters

1) From Terra Choice in support of the Printing Services initiatives

2) From Xerox in support of the Green Procurement Policies

3) From ND Groff Associations in support of the Printing Services initiatives

4) From Goulbourn Sanitation in support of the Composting Program

5) From Lowe-Martin in support of the Printing Services initiatives

Documents

Occupational Health, Safety & Environment Santé, …greenhill-collineverte.parl.gc.ca/pdf/CCME-e.pdf · Occupational Health, Safety & Environment Santé, sécurité et environnement