S&T receives environmental management recertification

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On July 20, 2010

Missouri University of Science and Technology recently received its ISO 14001 recertification thanks to a campuswide effort to continually improve its Environmental Management System (EMS). The system is audited annually and recertified every three years.


In 2001, Missouri S&T adopted an EMS based on the ISO 14001 guidelines, an international standard of operations to manage significant environmental impacts, ensure continual improvement, prevent pollution and comply with all relevant regulations. That same year, the school became the first university in the United States to receive ISO 14001 certification.

Jim Robison, lead auditor with National Quality Association, recertified the university after spending two days on Missouri S&T’s campus in June. “The management team continues to be successful in addressing EMS improvements and value-added projects,” says Robison. “The new team showed high enthusiasm and team spirit in revitalizing the EMS program. It was a pleasure to be involved with professionals with this type of energy and commitment to adding value to the EMS.”

Among the recent EMS improvements on campus:

Custodial and landscaping services

  • Chemicals reduced from more than 30 to 19 base products
  • Chemicals to scrub floors reduced by 80 percent, eliminating slips and odors, and reducing water usage
  • Creation of newsletter to communicate new projects, safety tips and green ideas to staff
  • Landscaping management to reduce water usage
  • Less toxic and fewer chemicals used for pest control
  • Purchase of electric truck, and replacing full-size truck with two smaller utility vehicles

Information technology

  • Print management program reduced paper usage by nearly 2 million sheets in one school year
  • Purchase of Energy Star 5 computers
  • Implemented TelePresence meeting rooms to reduce need for travel

New objectives will be set for fiscal year 2011 and posted online. All employees will receive general environmental awareness training to learn how to help meet S&T’s new targets.

Many employees and students helped Missouri S&T receive the recertification, including Gary Abbott, senior electronics technician; Cathy Allison, principal business technology analyst in information technology; Michelle Bresnahan, assistant director of environmental health and safety; Dr. Joel Burken, professor of civil and environmental engineering and chair of the Green Campus Committee; Diane Crouch, supervisor of custodial services; Richard Dalton, manager of the Student Design and Experiential Learning Center; Randy Davis, assistant director of custodial and landscaping services; Jamie Feldhacker, environmental specialist; Brian Swift, electronic engineer; and Julie Wilson, green campus coordinator.

Missouri S&T’s EMS is managed by the EMS sub-committee, which reports to the Green Campus Committee. The program’s success is due to the collaborative efforts of S&T’s environmental health and safety department and the Institute for Environmental Excellence, departmental cooperation, student and staff involvement, and the support of top management.

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On July 20, 2010. Posted in News