Gov. Locke, Ecology Pay Tribute to Facilities that Prevent Pollution

Washington State Department of Ecology

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 12, 1997

97-154

CONTACT: Bonnie Meyer, (360) 407-6740
Ron Langley, Public Information, (360) 407-7004

Gov. Locke, Ecology Pay Tribute to Facilities that Prevent Pollution

Olympia, WA - Gov. Gary Locke and Ecology Director Tom Fitzsimmons will present the winners of the 1997 Governor+s Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Pollution Prevention at an awards ceremony at 1:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 15 at the Capitol Building 2nd Floor Reception Room in Olympia.

About 100 people are expected to attend this fifth annual award ceremony, including managers and staff from the eight facilities receiving the awards. The facilities are located in Seattle, Bremerton, Fort Lewis, Ferndale, Issaquah, Mukilteo and Yakima, and range in size and type from government to corporate to small family businesses.

Each group will be congratulated by the governor and Ecology director for going beyond what is required by environmental regulations and seeking innovative ways to reduce pollution at the source. Some facilities began adopting pollution prevention measures through state required planning, with technical assistance from Department of Ecology staff. These facilities have confirmed the benefit of finding and using techniques to eliminate hazardous emissions, waste discharges to water and use of toxic materials. Award winners have also demonstrated excellence through their overall environmental commitments and willingness to share their knowledge with the community.

EDITORS NOTE: Owners and staff from these facilities are available for interviews and in most cases are open to providing media access. Please contact Bonnie Meyer at the Department of Ecology, (360) 407-6740 to make arrangements. The award winners are listed below.

1997 Governor's Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Pollution Prevention

Busch Collision of Issaquah, a shop owned by Jim Busch an environmental leader in the autobody repair industry.
Department of the Navy Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, for the most improved government facility.
Fort Lewis Army Installation, Fort Lewis, for continuing to implement pollution prevention opportunities throughout the base.
Intalco Aluminum Corporation in Ferndale, a primary aluminum smelter that has worked hard to meet its goal to -operate the plant with sensitivity to the environment.-
Production Plating, Incorporated, a metal finishing shop in Mukilteo that made significant improvements in eliminating and reducing waste at the source.
Washington State Korean Dry Cleaners Association in Seattle, a 400 member organization, for its technical assistance education and outreach.
Wrap Pack Corporation, a fruit wrap tissue producer in Yakima, eliminated volatile organic cleaning agents and developed an innovative recycling program.
Honorable Mention: Broadway Dental Center, Seattle, for working to identify and minimize hazardous waste entering the environment, researching and developing equipment, and sharing knowledge throughout the industry.