The state’s Department of Environmental Quality recognized the newest members of its Environmental Stewardship Initiative (ESI) during the annual conference today for their outstanding commitment to environmental excellence.
“Our state offers the beauty of its natural resources and vast opportunities afforded to businesses and industry,” said DEQ Secretary Michael S. Regan. “The balance lies in that neither are mutually exclusive. The members of the Environmental Stewardship Initiative exhibit a strong commitment to protecting the natural resources for future generations. They go above and beyond what is required by law to ensure their businesses operate in such a manner to improve their environmental footprint on this great state while not diminishing their bottom line.”
Secretary Regan recognized the following new members for their commitment to compliance, environmental performance goals and development of an environmental management system:
- Six new environmental Partners – Piedmont Service Group Raleigh Office; Core Technology Molding Corporation; Mylan Pharmaceutical Greensboro; Southern Research Institute - Energy and Environment; Leggett & Platt Cincro; and Louisiana-Pacific Corp, Roaring River Plant; and
- New Rising Steward – Mecklenburg County Solid Waste Operations
Additionally, John Deere Turf Care (Steward) and Eaton Corporation - Raleigh Production Operations (Rising Steward) were recognized for maintaining the requirements of those levels for five years. Smithfield Wilson (Steward) and QORVO, Inc. and ASMO Greenville of North Carolina, Inc. (both Rising Stewards) were recognized for achieving 10 years at these respective levels.
The ESI program currently has 202 member sites located in 64 counties across the state, representing a broad array of industry sectors including pharmaceutical; automotive; technology; agribusiness; schools; and local, state and federal government agencies. The program consists of three levels: Partners, Rising Stewards and Stewards, the highest level of achievement. This year, the program has grown to 29 Stewards, 11 Rising Stewards, and 162 Partner sites.
ESI members and other business representatives gathered this week at the ESI Annual Conference to learn the latest about hazardous waste generator rule changes, recycling markets updates, effects of contamination in the recycling stream, regionalization of water supply and member achievements.
The ESI promotes and encourages superior environmental performance by North Carolina organizations. This voluntary program was established in 2002 to stimulate the development and implementation of programs that use pollution prevention and innovative approaches to meet and exceed regulatory requirements.
From 2004 to2016, ESI members saved nearly 10 billion gallons of water; approximately 74 million BTUs of energy; more than 487 million gallons of wastewater; more than 428,000 tons of landfill waste; more than 4,000 tons of air emissions; and almost 3,000 tons of hazardous waste. Total financial savings at the facilities based on environmental reductions were reported at more than $69 million.
For more information, visit the Environmental Stewardship Initiative’s website, www.ncesi.org, or contact Angela Barger or Davy Conners, co-managers of the Environmental Stewardship Initiative, at 877-623-6748 or esi@ncdenr.gov.