This Systemwide hazardous materials review brought forth the need for full time EHS staff at each campus. In 1990, with campus administration's support for the EHS biennial budget initiative, professional EHS positions were established for all campuses to consolidate program responsibilities in one Environmental Health and Safety office at each campus. UW System complemented the positions by advancing legislation to support them in their environmental work. The Solid Waste Research Program began in 1990 and supports applied research on solid waste reduction, reuse and recycling. Students and faculty are eligible for grants.
Emphasis is on funding joint proposals with industry, business, and governmental collaboration.
Wisconsin's communities and universities share a common local and global environment. The activities in our labs, field operations, and classrooms are inextricably linked to the environment by their need for quality resources, sound management methods for spent materials, and cultivation of tomorrow's work force that will carry environmental management system values into the workplace.