| Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) EPA Partners Improve the Environment and Their Balance Sheets Contact: Roxanne Smith, (202) 564-4355 / smith.roxanne@epa.gov (Washington, D.C. - Nov. 14, 2007) Award-winning members of two of EPA's partnership programs are recognized for reducing and recycling materials, and for cutting back or eliminating over 4 million pounds of priority chemicals. At the same time, these green achievements also cut costs. "Today, it seems like everyone is catching 'green fever,'" said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "By taking voluntary steps that improve our quality of life and the quality of our environment, communities, businesses and individuals are keeping America's 'green' momentum moving forward." EPA is presenting awards to 31 WasteWise and 17 National Partnership for Environmental Priorities partners. Award-winning WasteWise partners used smart waste management methods to reduce waste and recycle several million tons of materials. WasteWise partners not only reduce waste, but also are addressing global climate change. By decreasing the demand on raw materials through waste reduction and recycling, these organizations are improving operations, reducing costs, and minimizing their environmental footprints. NPEP partners are being recognized for reducing or removing significant priority chemicals, such as lead or mercury. The 17 NPEP partners' combined efforts reduced or eliminated nearly 4 million pounds of priority and other environmentally harmful chemicals. Partners include manufacturers, businesses, cities, universities, and airports. NPEP was formed in 2002 and is a partnership of public and private organizations that pledge to reduce priority chemicals. WasteWise was formed in 1994 and promotes reducing, reusing, and recycling waste. Information on WasteWise and NPEP award-winners: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/reduce/wstewise/conf/awardees.htm Information on the WasteWise program: http://www.epa.gov/wastewise/ Information on the National Partnership for Environmental Priorities: http://www.epa.gov/npep/ |