General Overview
The Environmental Division is one of seven divisions within the Department of General Services. The General Services - Environmental Division (GSEN) provides citizens with safe and cost effective waste disposal and recycling options at two convenience centers, manages the county's three closed landfills, coordinates a robust anti-litter program and oversees debris management operations during severe weather events. Additionally, GSEN guides the county's effort to maintain compliance with environmental laws and regulations, oversees the implementation of a countywide Environmental Management System (EMS) and provides required employee environmental training. In conjunction with the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority, the division also administers curbside and drop-off recycling programs throughout the county for approximately 96,000 households.
The following key "fronts" are implemented in parallel to ensure that the county's strategic goal to be "a responsible protector of the environment" is accomplished.
Environmental Management System (EMS) Implementation -An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a collection of procedures, environmental documents, and other tools used by an organization to facilitate regulatory compliance, address both real and potential deviations from desired environmental outcomes, and improve the organization's environmental performance. Benefits of the EMS are:
Reduced risk and greater compliance assurance
• Increased operational efficiency and consistency
• Improved communication
• Positive relations with regulators and the public
• Detailed pollution prevention plans
• Cost savings
Project Management – Effective environmental project management will help ensure that County facilities and properties are managed properly and meet all Federal, State, and local guidelines. Environmental project management also includes performing timely environmental site assessments (ESAs) and implementing efficient remediation measures. Parts of an effective environmental project management program include:
• A centralized database with document control
• Priority setting with next actions and due date targets
• Good communication
Training – Employees must be aware and knowledgeable of the environmental policy, significant impacts, the environmental management system, and emergency response. This training will be presented in the following settings:
• New employee orientation
• Environmental area overviews
• Department specific training
Compliance Audits – Auditing operations and procedures is an essential tool to ensure environmental compliance. Other auditing benefits include:
• Employee involvement and accountability
• Continuous improvement opportunities
• Safety overview of processes
Waste Management – The county provides high quality refuse and recycling services to its citizens, while trying to divert as much waste from receiving landfills as possible. The county's two convenience center sites provide the following services:
• Anti-Litter Program (includes Adopt a Spot and Business Partnership )
• Household Waste (trash) Disposal
• Construction / Demolition Debris Recycling
• Drop-off Recycling
• Electronic Recycling (e-cycling)
• Household Hazardous Chemicals Recycling
• Scrap Metal Recycling
• Textiles Recycling
• Too Good to Waste Program
• Used Oil / Anti-Freeze Recycling
• Vegetative (Yard Waste) Disposal
• White Goods Disposal
Closed Landfills – The county has the charge of maintaining three, Chesterfield-County owned, closed sanitary landfills. Maintaining the landfills includes:
• Maintaining vegetative growth on the cap and side slopes
• Ensuring the integrity of the cap and side slopes through monthly inspections
• Operating and maintaining two landfill gas extraction systems
• Maintaining the reporting requirements for the methane compliance boundary probes
