The benefits of having an EMS are numerous:

• Helps staff track environmental compliance requirements
• Increases environmental awareness on grounds
• Important documents ranging from SOPs and emergency response plans to required records can be easily accessed and utilized by those who need them
• Requires designation roles and responsibilities so the proper people can be notified in case of a problem or emergency
• Requires training to ensure that everyone knows about the EMS and their individual role
• Requires training to ensure that everyone who performs a task related to a significant aspect is properly trained so as to minimize any potential impacts resulting from that aspect
• Provides a means by which students and staff can offer suggestions on ways to improve the University
• Ensures University facilities are closely examining their operations and looking for ways to minimize their impact on the environment thus promoting sustainability within our community
• May result in a cost savings as wasteful practices are replaced




Environmental Health and Safety's Hybrid

Some of the changes implemented at UVA as a result of the EMS:

• Use of Biodiesel in all UVA busses
• Reduced frequency of washing of parking garage roofs
• Purchase of hybrids and other alternative vehicles by EHS, Housing, and P&T
• Implemented spill protection for storage of used cooking oil at all Dining facilities
• Created a refrigerant management plan for Dining
• Dining working with interested students to investigate the feasibility of sustainable initiatives such as composting, the purchasing of local or organic foods, and environmentally friendly alternatives to styrofoam for take-out containers.
• Replaced the Gooch-Dillard Chiller with one using more environmentally friendly refrigerant
• Increased recycling awareness in all facilities
• Emphasized the use of double sided printing, where possible