Volume 1, Number 8

December 2005

eMDE is a monthly publication of the Maryland Department of the Environment. It covers articles on current environmental issues and events in the state. Additional monthly features include: MDE public meetings and hearings schedule, enforcement and compliance notes, and permitting activity.

Limited Openings Available for Environmental Management System Program

By Laura Armstrong

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The Maryland Department of the Environment, in partnership with the University of Maryland Technology Extension Service, has been assisting Maryland companies in developing and implementing Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) since 2001.

"The EMS program has been a tremendous help for us,” said Reggie Prime, Corporate Manager, Environmental Affairs for Coca-Cola Enterprises. “We're now in a position to prepare a template for our other bottling facilities in 2006 and we couldn't have done it without this program.”

Companies participate in the program in groups of four or five. Four workshops are held for each group over a six-month period and each company also receives extensive on-site assistance. As part of this program, participating organizations implement procedures to assure compliance with environmental laws and regulations. The program also equips these companies with methods to identify and implement cost-saving pollution prevention opportunities.

Twenty-seven Maryland manufacturers have completed the program and nine have chosen to go on and register to the ISO 14001 global standard for EMSs. The next EMS group is forming now and will start February 1, 2006. Contact MDE Pollution Prevention Coordinator Laura Armstrong at 410-537-4119, Laura.Armstrong@maryland.gov to learn how you can take advantage of this valuable opportunity. There is no cost to participate in this program.

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