This year, IDEM was awarded funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to fund pollution prevention grants that reduce toxics in Indiana. Indiana facilities with ideas for pollution prevention projects, including those identified by an assessment, are eligible to submit a pre-application for an Indiana Pollution Prevention Grant by June 11, 2010.

Projects that reduce the use of any chemical on the Resource Conservation Challenge Priority Chemicals list or the Regional Priority Chemical list or replace a listed chemical with a less toxic substance will receive additional points toward their overall score when evaluated for funding. Also, projects identified by an IDEM assessment conducted between June 2009 and June 2010 will receive additional points toward their overall score when evaluated for funding.

“This new grant offers a wonderful opportunity for businesses and communities to re-evaluate where in their processes positive change can be made,” said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. “Pollution prevention opportunity assessments do not cost businesses anything except time, and there are so many benefits that can be achieved from this effort.”

Assessments are provided on-site and can help facilities do a number of positive things, such as: identify ways to minimize risk by reducing or eliminating toxic chemicals, reduce operating expenses, use fewer raw materials, conserve energy, reduce wastes and emissions, meet regulatory requirements, and improve employee safety.

“An added bonus from undergoing a pollution prevention assessment is the positive company image that may result from implementing some of the recommendations,” said Commissioner Easterly.

Expenses such as ongoing program costs, permanent building structures, capital improvement or equipment and site improvements will not be funded through the Indiana Pollution Prevention Grant Program.

To schedule a free, confidential pollution prevention opportunity assessment, contact IDEM at (800) 988-7901. A complete list of priority chemicals can be found at www.idem.IN.gov/5224.htm.

Since 1987, ISTC has presented Governors awards to organizations in Illinois that have demonstrated a commitment to environmental excellence through outstanding and innovative sustainability practices. Any Illinois public or private organization is eligible to apply for an award. Organizations who are winning for the first time receive the Sustainability Award. Those organizations that have won in past years and are continuing their environmental efforts are awarded a Continuous Improvement Award.

“These businesses and organizations have shown that it is possible to create and maintain conditions under which people and nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social and economic requirements of present and future generations,” said John C. Marlin, ISTC Acting Director.

The 2009 award winners are listed below. Information on the Governor’s Sustainability Awards program and technical assistance on pollution prevention and energy efficiency are available from the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, One Hazelwood Drive, Champaign, IL 61820, phone 217-333-8940, http://www.istc.illinois.edu/.

2009 Governor’s Sustainability Award winners

First time winners

Ace Hardware Paint Division—Chicago Heights

Ace Hardware Paint Division—Matteson

Allied Waste Services—Chicago

AMFOTEK—Tinley Park

Ball Corporation—Danville

Central Can Company—Chicago

ComEd—Oakbrook Terrace

GE Healthcare IT—Cary

Guardian West—Urbana

Jesse Brown VA Medical Center—Chicago

Jet Lithocolor, Inc.—Downers Grove

Kankakee Community College—Kankakee

Lions Park Elementary School—Mount Prospect

McDonald’s Corporation—Oak Brook

McHenry County Schools Environmental Education Program—Woodstock

MRC Polymers Inc.—Chicago

Mueller Company—Decatur

Original Smith Printing—Bloomington

Rhodia, Inc.—Blue Island

Vaughan and Bushnell Manufacturing Company—Bushnell

Village of Orland Park—Orland Park

WCIA Channel 3—Champaign

Organizations recognized for Continuous Improvement

Abbott—Abbott Park

Abbott—North Chicago

Ball Corporation—Elgin

Caterpillar Inc. Engine Center—Mossville

Cintas—Romeoville

Department of Aviation O’Hare Modernization Program—Chicago

Consolidated Printing Company—Chicago

Continental Tire North America—Mount Vernon

Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.—LaGrange

Frigel North America—East Dundee

Harris Corporation – Broadcast Communications Division—Quincy

Hitachi Metals Automotive Components USA, LLC—Effingham

Illinois Correctional Industries—Menard

Navistar, Inc—Melrose Park

NOW Foods, Inc.—Bloomingdale

PortionPac Chemical Corporation—Chicago

IDEM Assistant Commissioner Rick Bossingham presented a plaque and commemorative road sign to Town Board President Leroy Warren to officially induct Brownstown into the CLEAN program on Monday, Oct. 5, at Brownstown Town Council Chambers.

The CLEAN (Comprehensive Local Environmental Action Network) Community Challenge is a voluntary recognition program for local Indiana government entities that make significant commitments to environmental management.

CLEAN helps communities take steps to plan, develop, and implement a Quality of Life Plan, which focuses on reducing the potential environmental impacts associated with their municipal operations.

“Brownstown’s commitment to environmental stewardship is a shining example for other communities to follow,” said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. “I applaud the entire community for its good work in protecting Hoosiers and our environment.”

Brownstown has committed to achieving several environmental goals, including developing standard operating procedures for spill response and training appropriate staff in the use of the procedures by the summer of 2012. Other goals include increasing recycling in town facilities and at town festivals (including the Spring Car Show, Melon Fest, and Hometown Christmas) by 20 percent by August 2012; recycling 100 percent of fluorescent bulbs and rechargeable batteries generated from municipal operations by January 2012, and addressing winter road maintenance by completing a study to determine the feasibility of using a liquid de-icer to reduce sand usage by January 2012.

Leroy Warren, President of the Brownstown Town Board, is pleased with the actions taken by the town to improve their environmental footprint. “We are proud of Brownstown’s initiative in promoting recycling and taking care of the environment.  It was a team effort of town employees and all the residents that helped Brownstown become part of the CLEAN Community Challenge,” he said.

The Indiana CLEAN Community Challenge is administered by IDEM in partnership with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Indiana Finance Authority. Partner agencies provide financial incentives to Indiana CLEAN Community members, such as better terms and improved opportunities for state grant and loan dollars. Brownstown joins nine other communities participating in the CLEAN program: the cities of Crown Point, Indianapolis, La Porte, Lawrence, Michigan City, Richmond, Tell City, Valparaiso and the town of Fishers.

Last year, the plant, which assembles heads and blocks for heavy-duty diesel engines, fulfilled its ESP commitment to complete several lighting projects, including replacing 1,931 older, less efficient lights with 50 percent fewer but more energy-efficient lights.  This project saved $158,461 in electricity costs and avoided more than 1,800 metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per year.   To put the energy savings into perspective, the 2.6 gigawatts saved is enough to power 225 average U.S. households for one year.

In addition to the lighting retrofit project, CEP sought alternative methods for the disposal of 500,000 square feet of concrete flooring that was demolished to make way for the construction of a new light-duty diesel engine assembly line.  Instead of putting the material in a landfill, the clean concrete was used to stabilize a heavily-eroded stream bank located near the plant.  More than 870 dump truck loads of material were saved from disposal in the landfill.

“Our obligation as an employer and responsible community citizen is to lead activities like these that improve our environment,” said Dana Vogt, Manufacturing Leader for the Engine Business unit on Cummins Health, Safety and Environmental Council.  ”The efforts by the CEP team once again demonstrates the work they do serves as a benchmark not only within Cummins, but for other businesses as well.   And like so many environmental projects, these also have significant economic benefits.

“What is particularly exciting about these efforts and others like them under way in the Company is the opportunity for employee participation,” continued Vogt.  ”We not only promote these improvements within our facilities, but encourage our employees to take the skills and ideas and put them into practice at home.  Cummins is proud to be a part of this community and will continue to do our part to make it a great place to live and work.”

Cummins’ Columbus Engine Plant is one of 46 Indiana businesses that are ESP members. ESP is a voluntary environmental performance-based leadership program.  Each ESP member is committed to implementing or maintaining measurable environmental improvements, such as reducing water or energy use, decreasing solid or hazardous waste or reducing air emissions.  

To become an ESP member, businesses must maintain an exemplary compliance record, certify that they have adopted and implemented an approved environmental management system and commit to specific measures for continued improvement in their environmental performance.

ESP members qualify for expedited permit review, flexibility in permitting, reduced reporting frequencies, and coordination of compliance inspections.  To maintain ESP membership, companies must report on their environmental initiatives every year and reapply for membership every three years.

“ESP members go beyond environmental requirements that protect Hoosiers and our environment,” said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly.  ”Cummins Columbus Engine Plant has shown exemplary performance and strong commitment to continued improvement.  Indiana wins when companies use sound business practices to demonstrate their core value of environmental protection.”

Hoosier businesses can apply for ESP recognition from September 1 through October 31.  For details about the program and an application, visit IDEM’s Web site at www.idem.IN.gov/prevention/esp or contact IDEM at (800) 988-7901.

Members of the Indiana Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) implemented environmental improvement projects during 2008 and in the process, achieved monumental results.  There are 45 ESP business members across the state, each committed to implementing or maintaining measurable environmental improvements, such as reducing water or energy use, decreasing solid or hazardous waste, or reducing air emissions. 

ESP members recently reported their 2008 accomplishments to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). During 2008, ESP members implemented pollution prevention initiatives that resulted in the reduction of:

• Water use by 69,413,000 gallons, an amount comparable to 105 Olympic-sized swimming pools;
• Electricity use by 10,939,149 kilowatt hours, a number comparable to the amount of electricity needed to run 4,101 residential air conditioners for one year; 
• Miles driven by 243,789 miles, a distance comparable to driving from Terre Haute to Richmond and back 877 times; 
• Natural gas consumption by 8,999 therms, which is like eliminating CO2 emissions from 1,875 propane cylinders used for home barbeques;
• Carbon dioxide emissions by 13,099,680 pounds, which is the amount of carbon sequestered annually by 1,350 acres of pine forests;
• Copper discharges to water by 3 pounds;
• Solid waste sent to the landfill by 18,135,195 pounds, which is equivalent to the weight of about 47 Blue Whales;
• Volatile organic compound emissions by 820,800 pounds, an amount comparable to emissions from painting the interiors of 34,200 homes;
• Energy use by 2,325 million British Thermal Units, an amount comparable to the energy needed to operate 7 clothes washers for one year; 
• Material use by 2,463,680 pounds, an amount comparable to the weight of 3,079 Monster truck tires; and,
• Hazardous waste by 12,790 pounds, an amount comparable to the weight of one Asian elephant. 

“ESP members go beyond environmental requirements that protect Hoosiers and our environment,” said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. “Indiana wins when companies use sound business practices to demonstrate their core value of environmental protection.”

To become an ESP member, businesses must maintain an exemplary compliance record, certify that they have adopted and implemented an approved environmental management system, and commit to specific measures for continued improvement in their environmental performance. 

ESP members qualify for expedited permit review, flexibility in permitting, reduced reporting frequencies, and coordination of compliance inspections. To maintain ESP membership, companies must report on their environmental initiatives every year and reapply for ESP membership every three years.

Hoosier businesses can submit applications to IDEM for the Environmental Stewardship Program from September 1 through October 31 and April 1 through May 31.  For more details, visit IDEM’s Web site at www.idem.IN.gov/prevention/esp or contact IDEM at (800) 988-7901.

 Why do we want to keep medicines out of the trash and our wastewater (the toilet, sink and septic)? In the United States, sales of over-the-counter medicines have increased by 60% since the 1990s.[1]  In 2006, the U.S. prescription volume rose to 3.7 billion prescriptions.[2] With these increases come concern about the fate and effects of these compounds in the environment. Recent studies have identified a wide range of pharmaceutical chemicals in rivers and streams nationwide,[3]  and it has also been shown that some of these compounds are potentially harmful to aquatic organisms, affecting reproduction and development even at low concentrations.[4] The fate of pharmaceutical chemicals in sewage sludge is also of concern, as sludge from wastewater treatment is often applied to agricultural land as a fertilizer. The long-term impacts of medicine disposal on our health and the health of the environment are not fully known. However, unless action is taken, the quantity of these chemicals reaching our waterways will continue to increase as pharmaceutical usage increases.[5]

[2] “IMS Intelligence.360: Global Pharmaceutical Perspectives 2006”, IMS Health Report, February 22, 2007. http://www.imshealth.com/ims/portal/front/articleC/0,2777,6599_40183881_81567488,00.html

[3] Kolpin, Dana W., et al. “Pharmaceuticals, Hormones, and Other Organic Wastewater Contaminants in U.S. Streams, 1999-2000: A National Reconnaissance.” Environ. Science and Technology. Vol. 36 no. 6 (2002): pp. 1202-1211.

[4] For example, see Nash, Jon P., et al. “Long-Term Exposure to Environmental Concentrations of the Pharmaceutical Ethynylestradiol Causes Reproductive Failure in Fish.” Environmental Health Perspectives. 112.17 (2004): pp. 1725-1733.

[5] Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, “Disposal of Unwanted Medicines: A Resource for Action in Your Community.” Februrary 2008. p. 2  http://www.iisgcp.org/unwantedmeds

More Details: Protecting the Great Lakes 4 Million Times

Americans own nearly three billion electronic products and continually purchase new ones to replace those deemed “obsolete,” even though about two-thirds of the devices are still in working order. To address this burgeoning e-waste problem, SEI will hold the Electronics & Sustainability: Design for Energy & the Environment symposium on February 23 – 24, 2010 at the I Hotel on the University of Illinois campus. Topics to be addressed will include environmental toxicology, life cycle analysis, product design, existing and proposed policy (local, state, national, and international), and more. Designers; electrical engineers; chemists; materials scientists; electronics manufacturers, recyclers, refurbishers, and remanufacturers; government representatives and policy makers; pollution prevention technical assistance providers; relevant non-profit organizations; and others are invited to take part in this symposium.

SEI invites industry and academic practitioners to submit abstracts of their recent research, projects, and design thinking for presentation, publications, or both Proposals can be made for symposium participation in one or more of the following categories: a paper, presentation, panel discussion, or poster display.

For more information about the symposium and/or to access the call for papers, visit: www.sustainelectronics.illinois.edu or contact Wayne Duke, Conference Coordinator, Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, One Hazelwood Drive, Champaign, Illinois 61820-7465, 217-333-5793, fax: 217-333-8944, wduke@illinois.edu.

For more information about the Sustainable Electronics Initiative (SEI), contact Dr. Tim Lindsey, PhD, Associate Director, Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, One Hazelwood Drive, Champaign, Illinois 61820-7465, 217-333-8955, fax: 217-333-8944, tlindsey@istc.illinois.edu.

“KERAMIDA, Inc. addressed the environmental needs of Indiana’s industries statewide by using KERAMIDA’s proprietary Jumpstart© program,” said Pamela Griesemer, Director of EMS Services for KERAMIDA.  “The Jumpstart© program identifies an industry’s manufacturing and organizational activities that may impact the environment and customizes an environmental management system to reduce such impacts, all within six days of on-site assistance. Having an EMS provides a competitive edge to an industrial facility while it assures its environmental compliance is managed in the most cost-effective way.  An EMS is the first step towards sustainable manufacturing and carbon dioxide reductions.”

IDEM Assistant Commissioner Rick Bossingham explained that IDEM encourages organizations to develop an environmental management system (EMS).  “An EMS can increase efficiency significantly, decrease adverse environmental impacts, and save businesses money, time and resources in the long run,” Bossingham said. “Participating in the Jumpstart© EMS program enabled Hoosier companies and communities to quickly develop an environmental management system tailored to their operations and needs.”

Some examples of gains that can be realized by implementing an EMS include improved energy efficiency, increased waste reduction and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, Bossingham noted that the objective of providing assistance through the Jumpstart EMS Program was to increase the number of Indiana entities using an EMS to improve their environmental performance.

“The Jumpstart©  EMS Program involves the management of participating companies and communities to look at their environmental policies, establish environmental goals, identify procedures for reducing environmental impacts, and examine how they can continue to improve their environmental performance,” said Bossingham. “It is an important part of pollution prevention in Indiana and important to IDEM’s mission of protecting Hoosiers and our environment.”

Communities that participate in the Jumpstart© EMS Program are encouraged to participate in the Indiana CLEAN Community challenge, as well. Businesses that participate in the Jumpstart© EMS Program are eligible for membership in IDEM’s Environmental Stewardship program.

The IDEM-sponsored Jumpstart© EMS Program was made possible by a grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The sessions were conducted from December 2008 through July 2009 at no cost to participants.  KERAMIDA, Inc. will continue to offer the Jumpstart© EMS Program to entities interested in their services.

More information about the Jumpstart©  EMS Program is available through KERAMIDA’s Web site at www.keramida.com/Jumpstart-EMS/about-jumpstart.html. For information about IDEM’s ESP, visit www.in.gov/idem/4132.htm. IDEM will be accepting applications for the ESP program from September 1 through October 31. For information about IDEM’s CLEAN Community programs, visit IDEM’s Web site at www.in.gov/idem/4135.htm. IDEM accepts applications for the CLEAN Community Challenge year round.

Hoosier businesses have until May 31, 2009, to apply for Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) recognition through the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM).

ESP is a voluntary environmental performance-based leadership program. Currently, there are 45 ESP business members, each of which is committed to implementing or maintaining measurable environmental improvements, such as reducing water or energy use, decreasing solid or hazardous waste, or reducing air emissions.

“ESP members go beyond environmental requirements that protect Hoosiers and our environment,” said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. “Indiana wins when companies use sound business practices to demonstrate their core value of environmental protection.”

To become an ESP member, businesses must maintain an exemplary compliance record, certify that they have adopted and implemented an approved environmental management system, and commit to specific measures for continued improvement in their environmental performance.

ESP members qualify for expedited permit review, flexibility in permitting, reduced reporting frequencies, and coordination of compliance inspections. To maintain ESP membership, companies must report on their environmental initiatives every year and reapply for ESP membership every three years.

For details about the program, visit IDEM’s Web site at www.idem.IN.gov/prevention/esp or contact IDEM at (800) 988-7901.

IDEM will announce new ESP members in the fall.

About IDEM
IDEM (www.idem.in.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens in protecting Hoosiers and our environment

The new “Clean Air Indiana” initiative challenges Hoosier businesses to take a pledge that they will reduce unhealthy air emissions, improve Indiana’s air quality, reduce business costs, help employees and earn them recognition.

To help businesses become more aware of the benefits of an effective clean air program, IDEM has launched a new Web site, www.idem.IN.gov/6249.htm, and prepared a tool kit fully stocked with resources. The Clean Air Indiana pledge specifically asks businesses to take actions that will result in reduced emissions from June 15-30, the time of summer that has historically high levels of ground-level ozone.

“We’ve spent the winter creating a program that can help businesses recognize the value of being good environmental stewards,” said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. “Businesses may find that there are cost savings to be had just by implementing a simple change in the workplace to improve their commitment to the environment. In addition to a commitment to improving the quality of life for employees, an added bonus of an environmental improvement in the workplace is the commitment to the surrounding community.”

IDEM’s Clean Air Indiana campaign is an extension of last year’s Ozone Knockout campaign, which entailed staff visits to communities to help raise awareness of the effects of activities on air quality. At the close of the 2008 ozone season, air monitors in all parts of Indiana measured ozone levels under the United States Environmental Protection Agency threshold of 85 parts per billion (ppb) for the first time since the standard was established in 1997. This is a strong indicator that air quality in Indiana is permanently improving.

In addition to the new Clean Air Indiana initiative, IDEM provides other resources related to air quality. Indiana’s Smog Watch Web site is an informational tool IDEM created to share daily air quality forecasts, including information about ground-level ozone and particulate matter air quality forecasts, health information, and monitoring data for seven regions of the state. Smog Watch can be accessed at www.smogwatch.IN.gov.

Additionally, IDEM’s LEADS Web site, at www.idem.IN.gov/airfacts, offers access to near real-time data from air monitors statewide. Approximately 65 percent of Indiana’s air monitoring network is now available via this system. The complete IDEM LEADs network will be available electronically by December 2009.

“Air quality in Indiana has improved significantly in recent years as a result of regulations and voluntary efforts to reduce emissions,” said Commissioner Easterly. “Hoosiers have worked hard to attain cleaner air, and while we’ve come a long way, we still have more work to do. Through simple actions at home and work, Hoosiers can continue to make a positive difference.”