PPRC recognized by Seattle Business magazine for outstanding work

Seattle Business magazine announced the winners of the 2011 Green Washington Awards at a dinner and awards ceremony Sept. 21, 2011, at the Fremont Studios in Seattle. PPRC was selected as the runner-up in the Nonprofit Category this year for the work it’s done over the past 20 years to help Washington businesses enhance their environmental performance while improving their economic vitality.

As a nominee, PPRC was also recognized as one of the 2011 Washington Green 50 List of the most sustainably operated companies and organizations in Washington. “Why create the Washington Green 50?” asked Seattle Business. According to them, “because so many of our nominees deserve recognition for believing that forthright stewardship of our resources is good business. We continue to single out honorees in specific categories, but we also salute the dozens of businesses that took the time to enter, and those that, in the opinion of our judges, deserve to be among the first members of the Washington Green 50.”

“It’s an honor to be selected by Seattle Business, particularly on the heels of our very successful 20th Anniversary celebration. PPRC has an outstanding record of achievement over the past 20 years and we are proud to share that with the business community,” said Paula J. Del Giudice, Executive Director, PPRC. “Our staff should take extreme pride in knowing that their efforts have contributed to making the Northwest a better place to live and work. It’s just nice to take time to reflect on all that for a few minutes, accept the pats on the backs, and then roll up our sleeves and get started on the next 20 years. There’s still a lot to do!”

-Paula Del Giudice, Executive Director, PPRC

Oregon Clean and Safe Project

Oregon Clean and Safe empowers businesses and homeowners with the ability to eliminate or reduce their use of the 118 chemicals found on Oregon’s priority list of chemicals of concern. Through the informed selection of products that are less toxic and don’t contain these chemicals, Oregon Clean and Safe helps to remove these chemicals from wastewater. Many of these chemicals are found in a wide variety of products and enter wastewater either through drains and toilets.

PPRC helped to develop detailed chemical source profiles and pollution prevention suggestions for the 118 persistent bio-accumulative chemicals listed in Senate Bill (SB) 737 through a project with the Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies (ORACWA). These tools were provided to ORACWA members (Oregon wastewater treatment facilities), which are required to monitor and reduce these chemicals in their wastewater, if they are found over a threshold amount. The source profiles show ORACWA members the likely sources and paths of each chemical into wastewater and the pollution prevention plan suggestions were developed to assist wastewater treatment facilities in drafting plans they can use to prevent or reduce the chemicals’ presence in influent.

It’s especially important to note that these chemicals are now listed and documented in at least eight national programs, from the consumer-centric GoodGuide to the EPA’s Design for the Environment, guiding users to safer alternatives that promote the reduction of toxics in Oregon’s waters.

Visit the Oregon Clean and Safe website for more information.

-Debra Taevs, PPRC

Oregon DEQ and Two Employees Receive Pollution Prevention Awards

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality(DEQ) has been in the business to reduce pollution for many years, which has led to incredible environmental gains. Recently, the agency and two employees (one former, one current) received special honors at the Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center’s 20th Anniversary banquet in Seattle. Director Pederson was present and accepted the agency’s P2 Heroes award, which partially reads, “In appreciation for the many years of dedicated service to pollution prevention in the Northwest and the leadership and support…” Also in attendance was David Livengood (HQ LQ) who received an MVP2 award that reads, “In appreciation for your dedicated service to pollution prevention in the Northwest and staunch support for the Pollution Prevention Resource Center” In absentia, former employee Marianne Fitzgerald received a P2 Heroes award.

-republished from Inside DEQ, November 2011, Issue #127