  |
|
|
Department of Ecology News Release - Sept. 23, 2003
03-183
SPOKANE - Triple Plate Chrome & Bumper Repair on East Trent today received the state's highest environmental honor when the state Department of Ecology (Ecology) presented the company's president, Jay Tripp, with an Environmental Excellence Award.
Lisa Brown, who manages Ecology's hazardous-waste section in Eastern Washington, presented the award this morning.
"We don't hand these awards out lightly," Brown said. "Over the past three years, Triple Plate has become a model for handling hazardous substances safely. This is how things should be done to protect the environment."
When inspectors visited Triple Plate in February 2000, the facility had accumulated a large amount of toxic debris on the floor of its plating shop. With technical advice from the Ecology inspectors, Tripp shut down the business and thoroughly cleaned the floors.
He didn't stop there. When he re-opened the plating lines, Tripp decided to redesign the plating operation so that it produces no toxic discharge at all.
The company installed a rinse system and tank storage system that conserved chemicals and reduced the amount used, and the concrete floor was cleaned and sealed to reduce the risk of leaks to the soil below.
"Now they have no discharge of contaminated fluids at all," Brown said. "Because of this, Triple Plate doesn't even need a wastewater-discharge permit. That's a huge improvement they should be very proud of."
###
Contact: Jani Gilbert, public information manager, 509-329-3495; pager, 509-622-3073
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
