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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 1995
95-89
CONTACT:
Lynn Helbrecht (360) 407-6760
Jerry Gilliland (360) 407-6149
COMPANIES AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES RECEIVE POLLUTION PREVENTION AWARDS
OLYMPIA -- Seven companies and three government facilities were honored by Governor Mike Lowry today for innovation and leadership in their efforts to prevent pollution.
The Governor's Awards for Pollution Prevention are presented annually to companies and government agencies based on innovation, reductions achieved, benefits (economic, environmental and health and safety), and leadership of employees and others in industry.
Winners of the annual Governor's Award for Outstanding Achievement in Pollution Prevention were:
The Governor's Award for Continuing Excellence in Pollution Prevention was awarded to two companies previously recognized through this award program:
In addition to the five award winners, honorable mention was given to three other companies and two government facilities.
Representatives from each of the companies and agencies received their awards in a special ceremony this morning in the capitol building. The awards are sponsored by the Washington Department of Ecology as part of the effort to help Washington businesses and industry reduce their use of hazardous substances and the need to dispose of hazardous wastes. Companies and agencies benefit from lowered waste management and disposal costs, improved worker health and safety and reduced regulatory burden and future liability.
NOTE: Following is a more detailed description of the recipients:
1995 Recipients of Governor's Award for Outstanding Achievement in Pollution Prevention
Earthguard, an environment sensitive yardlife system located in Redmond.
Earthguard is recognized for its transition from a traditional chemical application company to one promoting a low toxics use approach. By participating in trade shows and employing a variety of customer education practices, Earthguard has been able to retain a strong customer base through this transition. Emphasis on water conservation and plant selection of disease resistant plants has resulted in a significant and ongoing reduction of the need for chemical application.
K2 Corporation is a ski manufacturing facility located in Vashon.
In a highly competitive business, the K2 Corporation has been able to achieve a significant degree of reduction in air emissions, wastewater discharges and solid and hazardous waste. In several cases, changes in production processes resulted in eliminating wastes at the source and had the added benefit of an improved quality of product. The company reports that the benefits of their pollution prevention program also include reduced raw material and production costs for their product, as well as reduced employee exposure to chemicals and reduced risk of releases to the Vashon community.
Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Division Keyport, a technical and industrial center supporting undersea weapons and electronics systems.
Keyport's pollution prevention efforts were led by a multi-media team, comprised of environmental personnel, management, employees and members of a process improvement team. Total Quality protocols were used to develop and implement pollution prevention planning programs which has resulted in impressive reductions to releases in all environmental media. Keyport is also distinguished by its efforts to inform and involve the community in its environmental programs. As the facility's pollution prevention program continues to evolve, the emphasis is now on total life-cycle management of polluting processes with a primary emphasis on source reduction.
1995 Recipients of Governor's Award for Continuing Excellence in Pollution Prevention
The Boeing Company, an aerospace firm and manufacturer of commercial jet transports.
Since receiving a Governor's Award in 1992, The Boeing Company has continued to advance its pollution prevention program. Consideration of hazardous substance use and hazardous waste reduction are now incorporated into normal business decisions. Customer and supplier education have been key towards Boeing's success at leveraging reductions both internally and externally. Reduced waste disposal costs (59% between 1991 and 1994) improved product quality and elimination of employee exposure to chemicals are among the benefits they have enjoyed as a result of their pollution prevention program.
Cascade Pest Control, provides structural pest control services to single and multi-family residences and is located in Bellevue.
This company has also made significant strides in developing its pollution prevention program since receiving an honorable mention in 1993. The company's leadership to others within the industry, and education of their clients regarding lower chemical approaches to pest control have helped in increasing acceptance of safer pest control methods.
1995 Recipients of Honorable Mentions
Fat City German Car, inc., an automotive repair and service facility with 7 employees is located in Seattle.
Fat City has actively involved employees in their effort to provide a clean and safe work environment. Switching to the use of less toxic products, changing inventory control practices and changes in operating processes have successfully reduced the use of toxic products at the front end as well as the amount of waste actually generated.
Bemis Company, Inc. is a mid size firm which manufactures flexible packaging. They are located in Vancouver.
Both employee involvement and management commitment played a significant role in the success of Bemis's program to prevent pollution. Through a combination of product substitution, accomplished with essential involvement from Department supervisors and employees, and design of a closed loop recycling process for ink waste water, the company has made significant reductions in hazardous substance use. Elimination of hazardous chemicals resulted not only in a better working environment, but also realization of cost savings through reduced need for waste storage equipment and hazardous waste disposal costs.
Circuit Technologies, Inc., is a manufacturer of printed circuit boards located in Redmond.
Construction of a new facility provided Circuit Technologies with a unique opportunity to build equipment and processes to reduce waste into the design of a new facility. In addition, as part of its ongoing pollution prevention planning process, each chemical process has been evaluated for less toxic inputs as well as process changes to minimize wastes. The result has been noticeable reductions in costs relating to storage and shipping of hazardous chemicals, reduced raw materials costs and reduced exposures of employees to hazardous chemicals. Importantly for Circuit Technologies, there is also a sense of pride shared by all employees at working for an environmentally conscious company.
Washington Army National Guard, has facilities located throughout the state and has headquarters at Camp Murray in Tacoma. The environmental section at WARNS has implemented a pollution prevention program which eliminated 93% of the annual waste generation from 1991 to 1994. Innovative technologies, solvent substitution and equipment modifications all contributed to this reduction success, and helped to save the organization $22,000 in disposal costs from 1991 to 1994. Leadership commitment has been important to achieving such results, and in fact, the Environmental Control Committee is headed by managers from throughout the facility and includes the Deputy Director.
Army Corps of Engineers -- Granite Goose Project, is a project encompassing 80 miles of the Snake River System and includes responsibility for river navigation, reservoir control, fish passage and hydroelectric dams. The facilities encompassed in the granite Goose project have approached their pollution prevention program with a goal of reducing environmental releases to the lowest practicable level. A team approach has been instrumental to identifying safer alternatives to high suffer fuels, lubrication materials and traditional solvents. Instituting a compressed work week has also reduced the use of vehicles driven to work and reduces electrical power use at the site.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
