Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) - Bay Pines VA Healthcare System
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Bay Pines VA Healthcare System

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Green Environmental Management System (GEMS)

What is GEMS? 

Executive Order 13693, Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade, directs that federal agencies have a governing environmental policy in place for the operation of its facilities. VHA Directive 7707, VHA Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) and Governing Environmental Policy Statement requires that VHA facilities develop and implement environmental management systems.  The objectives of an environmental management system are to ensure that facilities are in full compliance with environmental regulations and are operated and managed in such a way as to result in the continual improvement of the environmental program.

How does this apply to the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System? 

The Veteran’s Health Administration is expected to be a good steward to the environment by complying with federal, state and local environmental laws and other requirements such as medical center policies and VA Directives.  In addition, the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System incorporates pollution prevention and waste minimization into daily operations.  Examples of environmental stewardship include but are not limited to the following:

a. Recycling: cardboard, batteries, oil, lamps, paper, aluminum, electronics, wood pallets, metals and many other items.
b. Pollution Prevention such as green purchasing, chemical substitution and use of green cleaning chemicals where feasible.
c. Proper waste segregation to maximize pollution prevention.

How does this apply to contractors?

Contractors for the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System are expected to be good stewards of the environment by complying with federal, state and local environmental laws and other requirements such as healthcare system policy and project specifications. In addition, contractors must incorporate pollution prevention and waste minimization into operations.

What are the benefits of incorporating environmental management initiatives into daily activities at the Medical Center?

a. Prevention of releases to the environment
b. Promote environmental stewardship
c. Employee safety

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE GEMS PROGRAM, CONTACT THE FACILITY GEMS PROGRAM MANAGER AT 727-398-6661, EXT. 17105.

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