An Environmental Management System or EMS is a set of management processes and procedures that allows Metro Waste Authority (MWA) to analyze and manage its environmental impacts and operate with greater efficiency and control.  An EMS is a continual cycle of planning, implementing, reviewing and improving environmental performance.

Metro Waste Authority's EMS is built upon the ISO 14001:2004 model.   This model is an internationally accepted standard that defines the key elements (infrastructure) of the system, yet can be tailored based on business imperatives and economics.

The foundation of MWA's EMS is its Environmental Policy that expresses the commitment of our Board of Directors and senior management to improving environmental performance, and sets out goals for pollution prevention, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.

The fenceline (the facilities included in the program) of MWA's EMS is the Metro Park East Landfill and the Regional Collection Center for Household Hazardous Waste (RCC). MWA's 2007 - 2009 Strategic Business Plan has objectives to expand the EMS fenceline to the administration facility by 7/1/09 and to whole extent of the MPE Landfill property by 7/1/08.

The EMS is led by a Core Team of MWA employees.  The core team serves as MWA's EMS program experts.  Members of the Core Team are:

•  Jeff Dworek, Director of Operations

•  Judi Mendenhall, RCC Facility Manager

•  Paul Nemmers, Solid Waste Utility Worker

•  Sara James, Recycling Coordinator

•  Reo Menning, Public Affairs Manager

•  Roxanne Wilken, Executive Administrative Assistant

MWA's EMS empowers every employee to become an environmental steward.   Employees can be involved individually by making suggestions for improvement, in the Implementation Team that regularly reviews environmental operations, or in Work Teams that actively pursue environmental improvements through targeted work plans.

MWA's Objectives and Targets for Improving Environmental Performance

• 2007 Objectives and Targets

• 2006 Objectives and Targets

• 2005 Objectives and Targets

MWA's EMS documents:

• MWA's Environmental Policy

• MWA Organizational Goals

• Key EMS Concepts

Related links:

• Peer Center for EMS Participants

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EMS 

• City of San Diego Refuse Disposal Division

For more information on MWA's EMS program, contact Beth Shonts, business development manager, at (515) 323-6525 or at bsh@mwatoday.com.