National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
NEMS Teams - NIEHS
NIEHS Public Home Page
Protecting the environment and human health are integral to our scientific mission. Our green team supports this mission by promoting sustainable practices such as energy and water conservation, waste reduction and recycling, alternative transportation and more. In addition, we have released a public sustainability report every two years since the 2009 inaugural publication. These reports summarize our efforts to reduce environmental impacts and remain on a sustainable pathway to the future. All sustainability reports can be found at
NIEHS Environmental Stewardship. If you have comments or questions about our reports please contact
Paul.Johnson@nih.gov.
NIEHS Environmental Policy
The NIEHS environmental policy provides the framework for setting and reviewing the Institute's environmental objectives and targets and establishes nine guiding principles for NIEHS environmental stewardship and sustainability.
Guiding Principles for NIEHS Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability
Compliance with Environmental Requirements
The NIEHS will comply with all applicable
Federal, state and local environmental laws, statutes, regulations and
other environmental requirements.
When environmental quality improvements are feasible, we will establish
and maintain our own standards that exceed existing laws and regulations.
Healthy Built Environment
The NIEHS will promote
public health, workforce wellness, and quality of work-life by integrating
the development of buildings and grounds with the natural environment and
by promoting indoor environmental quality.
Environmentally Responsible Facilities Operations
The NIEHS will assess environmental implications
in the design, construction and operation of campus infrastructure grounds
and buildings. To the extent practical, facilities development and maintenance will promote environmental sustainability through
resource conservation, ecologically-sound landscaping practices, sustainable building design
and operation, and transportation that minimizes
environmental impact.
Pollution Prevention
The NIEHS will minimize solid waste generation
and the potential release of pollutants into the environment first through
source reduction, secondarily through reuse and recycling, and finally through
treatment and disposal.
Minimize Hazardous Waste and Toxic Materials
The NIEHS will minimize the generation of
hazardous wastes. The Institute
will maintain policies and processes for the safe and efficient use,
tracking, storage and disposal of hazardous and toxic materials.
Environmentally Responsible Acquisition
The NIEHS will promote environmental
responsibility through its contracting and purchasing choices. When purchasing products and services, the
Institute will strive to obtain the best value by considering life cycle
environmental impacts along with cost and functional performance.
Conservation of Energy, Water and Other Resources
The NIEHS will reduce resource consumption by eliminating
wasteful practices and promoting efficient use, and by evaluating and
implementing feasible and practical conservation measures in existing
buildings, renovations, and new construction.
Green Technology
The NIEHS will
recognize the significant impacts of computing, communication,
refrigeration and other technologies on human health and the
environment. The Institute will
actively promote the efficient and sustainable use of technology.
Environmental Education and Awareness
The NIEHS will provide ongoing
education for all employees, contractors and visitors concerning the
importance of environmental responsibility in all Institute operations. Further,
the Institute will share relevant and accurate information on its environmental
performance with the public.
Annual Events
- Earth Hour
- Earth Day
- NIH Paper Free Day
- Earth Overshoot Day
- American Recycles Day
Environmental Leadership Programs
- NC Wildlife And Industry Together Program
- NC Environmental Stewardship Initiative
- NC Air Awareness
- Environment at RTP Committee
Recent Green Awards
2015 HHS Green ChampionsCategory: Environmental Stewardship (Recycling and waste management during demolition project)
2015 HHS Green Champions
Category: Energy Conservation (Installed energy efficient outdoor lighting and rooftop solar array)
2014 HHS Green ChampionsCategory: Corporate Responsibility (Transhare and telework program for NIEHS employees)
2013 HHS Green Champions
Category: Design & Facilities (Sustainable design practices during library and fitness center renovations)
Share your Green Ideas:
Paul Johnson Bill Steinmetz
Paul.Johnson@nih.gov William.Steinmetz@nih.gov
(919) 541-4237 (919) 541-4234