February 10, 2004

The Department of Environmental Quality has released the 2003 P2 Annual Report, highlighting Michigan’s innovative approaches to achieve reductions in pollution, the elimination of waste at the source or through recycling, and to foster and promote sustainable behavior. This eighth annual report to the Governor and Michigan Legislature details the P2 efforts undertaken in Michigan between October 1, 2002, and September 30, 2003.

The DEQ believes that protecting the environment is essential to the creation of clean and prosperous communities, and views pollution prevention as an important component in obtaining these goals. The Annual Report shows that this approach is working for Michigan and illustrates how this strategy helps businesses significantly reduce the use of toxic substances and the generation of wastes. Here are a few noteworthy accomplishments in this year’s report:

• The DEQ’s Retired Engineer and Technical Assistance Program, which provides confidential assessments to businesses, received a national Most Valuable Pollution Prevention Program award for promoting energy efficiency, water conservation, and reductions in solid and hazardous waste.

• The DEQ established an Electronics Recycling Waste Stakeholder Workgroup to develop a list of recommendations for creating an electronic waste recycling infrastructure within the state.

• A record-breaking number of new facilities joined the group of elite environmental performers as Clean Corporate Citizens. • Over 554,000 pounds of hazardous waste was diverged from landfills, wastewater treatment facilities, and dumping by over 8,500 households participating in the Michigan Household Hazardous Waste Collection Initiative.

• The DEQ has demonstrated through a collaborative partnership with the Departments of Management and Budget, and Labor & Economic Growth that Michigan State government can be a role model in reducing its environmental impact by identifying and undertaking energy efficiency improvements that translate into substantial cost savings in state office buildings.

• The DEQ added the food processing industry to its targeted sector programs, which customize assistance activities to further new opportunities for reducing pollution.

In addition to these accomplishments, over 600 Michigan facilities have made public commitments to pollution prevention as part of the DEQ’s partnership programs. These partners represent a diverse set of businesses, including small metal finishing, automotive assembly plants, golf courses, printers, marinas, power generation facilities, and pulp/paper mills.

Copies of the report may be obtained, free of charge, by either contacting the Environmental Assistance Center at 800-662-9278 or by downloading from the DEQ Internet Web site at: www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq-ess-p2-2003p2rept.pdf.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised February 10, 2004 by Pat Watson