EPA Recognizes Daikin Texas Technology Park as National WasteWise Award Winner for Innovations in Waste Reduction

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA Recognizes Daikin Texas Technology Park as National WasteWise Award Winner for Innovations in Waste Reduction

Virco Mfg. Corporation of Conway, Ark., & Owens PLLC of DeSoto, Texas, win regional awards

 

DALLAS (Jan. 31, 2022) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently recognized Daikin Texas Technology Park of Waller, Texas, among the WasteWise program’s national award winners for 2020 and 2021. In total, the winners prevented and diverted close to 408,000 tons of waste that would otherwise be disposed of in landfills or incinerators, contributing to climate change. Instead, they saved over $22.5 million in avoided landfill costs and prevented emissions that contribute to climate change and other environmental impacts. 

 

“Innovation, courage, and knowledge to overcome pandemic-related challenges are the cornerstones of the WasteWise award winners,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Their actions to creatively develop and implement solutions to reduce waste during a global health crisis contributed to reducing the pollution that’s fueling climate change, while helping conserve natural resources.”  

 

“Companies that make it a priority to reduce waste benefit the environment and reduce strain on our resources, and quite often see a financial return on their investment,” said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “Congratulations to national winner Daikin Texas Technology Park and our regional winners on their many levels of success with the WasteWise program.”

 

Daikin received the 2021 America Recycles Award for their efforts to achieve zero waste to landfills from the company’s processes and at their facility in Waller, Texas. Daikin developed a returnable container system for supply packaging to reduce several hundred tons of wood and cardboard waste, and send 4,000 tons of pallets to be recycled instead of to a landfill. The company also invested in reducing recycling stream contamination to increase recyclability of plastic film by 274 tons. These efforts also saved the company nearly $1.25 million over two years.

 

“Alignment is a force multiplier. Having our employees, suppliers, vendor partners, and contractors all aligned with Daikin’s goal to achieve zero waste by 2035 makes this herculean task achievable,” said Satara Henry, Environmental Director for Daikin.

 

Virco Mfg. Corporation of Conway, Arkansas, was recognized as a regional winner for continuing and expanding recycling and reuse efforts of school furniture and supplies during the business disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic. Over 2019 and 2020, Virco diverted more than 6,400 tons of potential landfill waste and distributed more than $300,000 in recycling incentives to participating schools.

 

“Virco Mfg. is very proud of our recycling efforts and of the employees who make it happen. Virco will continue to maintain a strong waste management program and we are committed to finding new markets for our recyclables,” said Scotty Bell, Chief Operating Officer of Virco Mfg. Corporation.

 

EPA also honored regional awardee Owens PLLC of DeSoto, Texas, for continuing to reduce waste and convert many of their functions to paperless, electronic versions.

 

As one of EPA’s longest-running voluntary programs, WasteWise celebrated its 27^th year in 2021. Over the years, WasteWise partners prevented and diverted close to 249 million tons of waste from landfills and incinerators, preventing more than 488 million tons of associated greenhouse gas emissions, and saving over $13.7 billion in avoided landfill costs. 

 

EPA recognizes WasteWise partners in several data categories that report the best overall improvement in waste prevention and recycling activities when compared to the previous year. This year, EPA also recognizes winners in narrative categories that achieved exemplary waste reductions in their organizations and businesses. 

 

The WasteWise award winners achieved noteworthy accomplishments, such as reprocessing N95 respirators, implementing Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines at a university, and reusing shipping containers for return trips to avoid waste. 

 

The 2020 WasteWise national data winners are: 

 

Very Large Business Category 

• Partner of the Year: Kohl’s (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) 

Large Business Category 

• Partner of the Year: Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (Gaffney, S.C.) 

Mid-size Business Category 

• Partner of the Year: iThink Financial Amphitheatre (West Palm Beach, Fla.) 
• Honorable Mention: Live Nation - PNC Music Pavilion (Charlotte, N.C.) 

Small Business Category 

• Partner of the Year: Ombligo, Inc. (Brooklyn, N.Y.) 

College/University Category 

• Partner of the Year: Central Michigan University (Mount Pleasant, Mich.) 

Local Government Category 

• Partner of the Year: City of Chesapeake Central Fleet Management (Chesapeake, Va.) 

Non-profit Organization Category 

• Partner of the Year: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Boston) 

School/School District Category 

• Partner of the Year: Adams 12 Five Star Schools (Thornton, Colo.) 

 

The 2021 WasteWise national data winners are: 

 

Very Large Business Category 

• Partner of the Year: Walgreens Boots Alliance (Deerfield, Ill.) 

Large Business Category 

• Partner of the Year: Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (Gaffney, S.C.) 

• Honorable Mention:  ComEd (Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.) 

Small Business Category 

• Partner of the Year: ECOS (Lacey, Wash.) 

State Government Category 

• Partner of the Year: Delaware River and Bay Authority (New Castle, Del.) 

Local Government Category 

• Partner of the Year: City of Fort Lauderdale (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) 

Tribal Government Category 

• Partner of the Year: Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut (Uncasville, Conn.) 

Non-profit Organization Category 

• Partner of the Year: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Boston) 

  

The 2021 WasteWise national narrative winners are: 

 

Green Innovator: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Boston) 

Sustainability Public Education: Central Michigan University (Mount Pleasant, Mich.) 

America Recycles: Daikin Texas Technology Park (Waller, Texas) 

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA to Hold Public Listening Session on Draft Lead Strategy

EPA to host listening session for Pacific Southwest Region on Feb. 22

SAN FRANCISCO (Jan. 31, 2022) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a series of upcoming public listening sessions, including one for the nation’s Pacific Southwest region on February 22, on the Draft Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities. Communities and stakeholders will be able to provide their comments on the Agency’s plan.

Ongoing exposures to lead in the environment present a health risk to too many people nationwide. Very low levels of lead in children’s blood have been linked to adverse effects on intellect, concentration, and academic achievement. The draft Lead Strategy lays out approaches to strengthen public health protections, address legacy lead contamination for communities with the greatest exposures and promote environmental justice.

“Communities of color and low-income communities are often disproportionately exposed to lead, which can cause life-long negative effects,” said Carlton Waterhouse, EPA Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Land and Emergency Management. “Today, we are inviting all communities exposed to lead and other stakeholders to share their perspectives so that EPA can ensure that our Draft Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities is as comprehensive as possible.”

“Unfortunately, overburdened communities across this region of our country are still dealing with the hazards of lead exposure,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “We encourage anyone with interest in the ongoing risks of lead – and what EPA is doing about it – to attend the regional listening session on February 22, and consider providing public comment.”

Virtual public listening sessions will be held in all 10 of EPA’s geographic offices. EPA Region 9 will hold a listening session on February 22 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Registration will be required to attend the event. Registration links to each regional listening session can be found on EPA’s website at: https://www.epa.gov/lead/draft-strategy-reduce-lead-exposures-and-disparities-us-communities. Interpretation and disability access support will be provided.

During this event, registered members of the public will have an opportunity to share their comments on EPA’s draft Lead Strategy with EPA senior officials and managers. Those interested in speaking may sign up for a 3-minute speaking slot at the time of registration.

Members of the public who are unable to attend any of the 10 listening sessions can submit comments via the docket at: http://www.regulations.gov, Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OLEM-2021-0762 until March 16, 2022.

For details on the draft Lead Strategy, the virtual listening sessions, or how to provide public comment, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/lead/draft-strategy-reduce-lead-exposures-and-disparities-us-communities.

Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on Twitter.

EPA Names City of Chesapeake Central Fleet Management WasteWise Partner of the Year for Local Government

 U.S. EPA News Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: R3press@epa.gov

EPA Names City of Chesapeake Central Fleet Management WasteWise Partner of the Year for Local Government

PHILADELPHIA (Jan. 31, 2022) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized the accomplishments of the City of Chesapeake, Virginia, Central Fleet Management as one of 20 WasteWise National Partners of the Year. These national award winners for 2020 and 2021 prevented and diverted close to 408,000 tons of waste that would otherwise have been disposed of in landfills or incinerators, increasing global greenhouse gas emissions.  Instead, they saved over $22.5 million in landfill tipping fees and prevented climate and other environmental impacts.

The City of Chesapeake Central Fleet Management, winning the Waste Wise Partner of the Year Award for Local Government, recycles five items in the current program: scrap metal, used oil, used tires, mixed recyclables and antifreeze. In 2019, Central Fleet Management recycled 311,020 pounds of scrap metal, mixed recyclables, and tires; as well as 5,750 gallons of used oil and antifreeze. 

The city is also making every effort to only purchase new hybrid vehicles or operate on alternative fuels – 41 percent of the vehicles in the 1,495-vehicle fleet run on alternative fuel. Since starting the recycling and environmental program in 2005, City of Chesapeake Central Fleet Management has saved the city over $1.1 million. 

“EPA applauds the courage, innovation and knowledge of the City of Chesapeake Central Fleet Management” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “By creatively developing and implementing solutions to reduce waste, they and our other partners are reducing the effects of climate change, and conserving natural resources; the importance of which cannot be overstated.”

EPA recognizes WasteWise partners in several data categories for the best overall improvement in waste prevention and recycling activities when compared to the previous year. This year, EPA also recognizes winners in narrative categories who achieved exemplary waste reductions in their organizations and businesses.

The WasteWise award winners achieved noteworthy accomplishments, such as reprocessing N95 respirators, implementing Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines at a university, and reusing shipping containers for return trips to avoid waste.

For more information and to learn about WasteWise https://www.epa.gov/smm/wastewise

EPA Names Delaware River and Bay Authority WasteWise Partner of the Year for State Government

 U.S. EPA News Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: R3press@epa.gov

EPA Names Delaware River and Bay Authority WasteWise Partner of the Year for State Government

PHILADELPHIA (Jan. 31, 2022) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized the accomplishments of the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) as one of 20 WasteWise National Partners of the Year. These national award winners for 2020 and 2021 prevented and diverted close to 408,000 tons of waste that would otherwise have been disposed of in landfills or incinerators, increasing global greenhouse gas emissions.  Instead, they saved over $22.5 million in landfill tipping fees and prevented climate and other environmental impacts.

DRBA which won the Partner of the Year award for State Government, is a multifaceted transportation authority responsible for a network of bridges crossed by 35 million vehicles annually, three ferries carrying 800,000 passengers per year, and five regional airports in two states.  DRBA prides itself as an organization connecting people and places in the heart of the northeast corridor that recognizes the importance of sound environmental practices in delivering these services.

Over the past six years, DRBA has increased its focus on resource conservation. In 2020, the authority reduced various waste streams and recycled over 4 million pounds of waste. DRBA increased the amount of waste material they recycle to 25 unique commodities, including aluminum, asphalt, lead acid and NiCad batteries, cardboard, concrete, e-waste electronics, oil filters, parts washer fluids, polycarbonate plastic, used cooking oil, aerosol cans, shredded paper, used motor oil, scrap metal, soil, spent lamps, tires, wood pallets, and vegetative waste. The program’s growth is tied to collaboration with employees, the public and suppliers through measurement, education, working together, and advancing sustainable business practices.

“Eco-design features, intelligent procurement, and sustainable business practices are our long-term vision, said Albert Fralinger III, DRBA Environment, Health & Safety Manager. “It’s a credit to our employees who have embraced our ongoing environmental sustainability efforts and to our partners for their assistance in building on past successes. We will continue to pursue opportunities and initiatives that reduce our carbon footprint and have a positive impact on our environment.”

As one of EPA’s longest-running voluntary programs, WasteWise celebrated its 27^th year in 2021. Over the years, WasteWise partners prevented and diverted close to 249 million tons of waste from landfills and incinerators, preventing more than 488 million tons of associated greenhouse gas emissions, and saving more than  $13.7 billion in avoided landfill tipping fees.

“EPA applauds the courage, innovation and knowledge of the Delaware River and Bay Authority,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “By creatively developing and implementing solutions to reduce waste during a global health crisis, they and our other partners are reducing the effects of climate change and conserving natural resources; the importance of which cannot be overstated.”

EPA recognizes WasteWise partners in several data categories for the best overall improvement in waste prevention and recycling activities when compared to the previous year. This year, EPA also recognizes winners in narrative categories who achieved exemplary waste reductions in their organizations and businesses.

The WasteWise award winners achieved noteworthy accomplishments, such as reprocessing N95 respirators, implementing Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines at a university, and reusing shipping containers for return trips to avoid waste.

For More information and to learn about WasteWise https://www.epa.gov/smm/wastewise

 EPA Press Release:

EPA and DOJ Seek Public Input on Potential Settlement Order to Require Immediate Actions to Address Deficiencies at Toa Alta Municipal Landfill

EPA to hold a public meeting on February 23, 2022

Contact: Stephen McBay, (212)-637-3672, mcbay.stephen@epa.gov

NEW YORK (January 31, 2022) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released for public comment a summary of options for a settlement order currently under negotiation that would require immediate actions to address violations at the Toa Alta Municipal Landfill, in Puerto Rico. Seeking input into a settlement order is an unusual step taken here to ensure that EPA and DOJ are including input from the overburdened community that has been adversely impacted by the landfill.

To begin gathering comments, EPA today released a summary in English and Spanish of the requirements that are under consideration for the order and is asking for written input by March 4, 2022. EPA will also hold a public meeting on February 23 to explain the options for addressing the landfill conditions and obtain public input. 

"We are taking this necessary step of getting input because this community has suffered for too long from this open dump,” said Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia." EPA is working to address the problems and we appreciate that the municipality is willing to agree to take immediate actions to address the worst and most urgent issues. We want to issue a strong settlement order that will be a start to getting this open dump on track immediately as we continue to negotiate a longer-term solution.”

The terms being considered for the landfill are aimed at implementing measures to protect public health and environment in the short term and positioning Toa Alta to close the landfill completely, safely, and permanently under the supervision of the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. Shorter term measures under consideration would call for Toa Alta to: (1) cover any newly disposed waste with soil at the end of each day; (2) apply thicker soil cover over time; (3) maintain the soil cover to correct any soil erosion; and (4) plan and implement measures to reduce and control storm water runoff and leachate (Leachate is liquid — often contaminant laden — that seeps from landfills). Longer term, permanent measures under consideration include barring any further waste disposal at the landfill, except for waste placement as warranted to fix a steep slope located on the north side of the landfill.

EPA is planning to hold a public meeting on February 23, at 5:30 p.m. AST to describe options for addressing the conditions at the landfill, answer questions, and hear from community members. This public meeting will occur at the Coliseo Lauro Davila, located at PR-165R, Toa Alta, Puerto Rico 00953.

Community members can email comments to pubcoment-ees.enrd@usdoj.gov with the subject line "Toa Alta Landfill Comments." Community members also may mail their comments to Eduardo Gonzalez, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Caribbean Environmental Protection Division, City View Plaza II, Suite 7000, #48 PR165 Km. 1.2, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico 00968-8069. Comments and information received will be considered in determining the final terms of the potential settlement order. The final agreed upon terms will then be submitted to the Federal Court for its review and approval. If the parties cannot reach an agreement after the community engagement period, or if the Court does not approve the agreement, the Court will instead conduct a separate public hearing about the matter.

EPA has prepared some relevant documents to this matter, which the public can view online at www.epa.gov/pr/toa-alta-municipal-landfill. The public may also obtain the documents at the Toa Alta Mayor's Office. That office is located at Ave. Muñoz Rivera, Esq. Calle Barceló, Toa Alta, PR 00953, and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Background

DOJ filed a complaint on behalf of EPA in federal court in the District of Puerto Rico in February 2021. The complaint called for the Municipality of Toa Alta to stop solid waste disposal at its landfill and to take immediate steps to address public health and environmental threats posed by the conditions at the landfill.

The February 2021 complaint alleged three significant threats posed by the landfill:

• The Municipality of Toa Alta is taking inadequate action to prevent large quantities of leachate – water mixed with hazardous pollutants that seep from the landfill – from escaping into nearby neighborhoods, surface waters and the underlying groundwater aquifer.
• The landfill’s slopes in certain areas are not stable. There is an increased risk of collapse, potentially endangering people working at the landfill.
• The Municipality has not consistently placed required soil on top of the waste disposed at the landfill at the end of each day’s disposal activities. Application of this soil cover – referred to as “daily cover” – cuts off access to landfill waste by insects, vermin, birds and trespassers and helps prevent the spread of diseases, such as dengue and Zika viruses.

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our Facebook page, http://facebook.com/eparegion2.

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EPA Recognizes Virginia Department of Corrections for Diverting Food Waste from Landfills

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA Recognizes Virginia Department of Corrections for Diverting Food Waste from Landfills

PHILADELPHIA (Jan. 27, 2022) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it is recognizing the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) as an awardee in the Regional Partner category of its Food Recovery Challenge (FRC).

In 2019, VADOC had over 30,000 inmates in its 43 correctional facilities and employed 10,000 facility staff. Inmates and staff generated over 17,000 tons of trash that would have cost $1 million in landfill fees, as well as $200–$600 a month per site in dumpster rental fees.

Waste audits have confirmed that approximately half of the waste generated by a correctional facility is compostable.  VADOC had been operating a large-scale compost program in central Virginia for the past eight years and had successfully diverted a small amount of food waste from landfills. The availability of over 30 agribusiness farms allowed VADOC to expand their compost operation and use the compost on soils and gardens throughout the state.

“We are excited to be composting at Green Rock,” said Melvin Davis, Warden at Green Rock Correctional Facility.  “This allows us to divert food waste from the local landfill, which reduces harmful greenhouse gases. This process also allows us to enrich the soil at Green Rock, improving our agribusiness production over time.”

Because of grant funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and a week-long basic compost course offered to the staff, VADOC developed and implemented twelve compost programs in 2019, composting 892 tons of food waste – a 53 percent increase from 2018. During the first year, many sites were also able to reduce their tipping and dumpster rental fees by half. By closing the food loop, the Agency was able to save money and reduce the burden of waste on staff, operations, and the environment. 

“EPA congratulates VADOC and all of the Food Recovery Challenge partners for their notable achievements and innovative approaches to reduce food waste in their operations,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz.  “By addressing food waste, there is an opportunity to lower our carbon footprint and increase climate resilience, while also addressing inequities in food security and public health.”

Through the FRC, EPA has worked with organizations and businesses for the past decade to set data-driven goals, implement targeted strategies to reduce wasted food in their operations, and report results. During 2019 and 2020, FRC national awardees implemented innovative approaches and engaged in practical, cost-effective best practices to prevent and reduce wasted food. Best practices included waste audits and custom pallet building to maintain flexibility for those picking up recovered food. Many FRC national awardees provided much-needed food during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nearly 600 businesses, governments and organizations actively participated in EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge in 2020-2021. Since the launch of the program in 2011, FRC partners prevented and diverted over 5.5 million tons of wasted food from entering landfills or incinerators. In the most recent reporting cycle, FRC partners prevented or diverted about 1.2 million tons of food from entering landfills or incinerators, saving partners up to $61.5 million in avoided landfill tipping fees. 

For more information https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/food-recovery-challenge-results-and-awardees

EPA Recognizes the Institute for Local Self-Reliance in Washington D.C. for its Community Composting Initiative, Diverting Food Waste from Landfills

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA Recognizes the Institute for Local Self-Reliance in Washington D.C. for its Community Composting Initiative, Diverting Food Waste from Landfills

PHILADELPHIA (Jan. 27, 2022) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it is recognizing the Institute for Local Self-Reliance in Washington, D.C., (ILSR) as an awardee in the Regional Grantee category.

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) is a national nonprofit promoting recycling, composting, zero waste, decentralized energy, independent businesses, and other facets of a homegrown economy. Since its inception in 1974, ILSR has provided research and technical assistance to convert wastes from environmental and economic liabilities into valuable resources that create community development opportunities.

The organization continues to share lessons learned from model programs and policies to facilitate the expansion of resilient and healthy communities. ILSR’s Composting for Community initiative advances local composting to meet food recovery infrastructure needs; build a culture of composting know-how; and enhance soils for local food production, carbon sequestration, and stormwater management. ILSR’s Neighborhood Soil Rebuilders Composter Training Program, for instance, is teaching community leaders how to compost at gardens, farms, and community centers.   

“Composting can be small scale and large scale and everything in between but too often home composting, onsite composting, community scale composting, and on-farm composting are overlooked,” said Brenda Platt, Director of the ILSR Composting for Community Initiative.  

“By offering training and support to demonstration sites, we are proving that food recovery can be local and engage the community through participation and education.”

In 2020, ILSR focused its efforts on the mid-Atlantic region. In Philadelphia, it collaborated with the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department to offer training and support to its newly launched Community Compost Network Program. In Baltimore, together with the Office of Sustainability, ILSR established a dozen community-scale compost demonstration systems at urban farms and community gardens, which, when fully implemented, will serve as education sites and models for replication. In Montgomery County, Maryland, ILSR supported the development of compost education hubs. And, in the District of Columbia, ILSR worked with the D.C. Department of Public Works to run its home composting training and rebate program.   

“EPA congratulates the Institute for Local Self-Reliance for their notable achievements and innovative approach to reduce residential food waste in Philadelphia and Baltimore communities,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz.  “By addressing food waste, there is an opportunity to lower our carbon footprint and increase climate resilience, while also addressing inequities in food security and public health.”

For more information https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/food-recovery-challenge-results-and-awardees

EPA Recognizes Philadelphia Department of Prisons for Diverting Food Waste from Landfills

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA Recognizes Philadelphia Department of Prisons for Diverting Food Waste from Landfills

PHILADELPHIA (Jan. 27, 2022) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it is recognizing the City of Philadelphia Department of Prisons (PDP) as a national awardee in the Government and Tribal category of its Food Recovery Challenge (FRC).

In 2019 PDP diverted more than 555,000 pounds of wasted food to compost, which saved the city approximately $19,000 in landfill fees. The composted material was donated to community gardens and church groups, as well as returned to grounds for use in PDP’s orchard and greenhouses. Before composting at the PDP, the department sent food waste to local landfills or industrial garbage disposals. 

“This program enables participants to give back to the community, while obtaining new skills for potential job opportunities upon release,” said Laura Cassidy, PDP Director of Sustainability Operations.

PDP also partnered with Food Connect, a nonprofit organization and partner of Philabundance. Food Connect uses smart technology to pool resources and make deliveries efficient. They distribute organically grown food from the PDP Orchard Program to local food pantries. PDP is currently working with EPA to develop internal policies and procedures for distributing food produced at PDP facilities.  

“EPA congratulates the Philadelphia Department of Prisons and all of the Food Recovery Challenge partners for their notable achievements and innovative approaches to reduce food waste in their operations,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz.  “By addressing food waste, there is an opportunity to lower our carbon footprint and increase climate resilience, while also addressing inequities in food security and public health.

Through the FRC, EPA has worked with organizations and businesses for the past decade to set data-driven goals, implement targeted strategies to reduce wasted food in their operations, and report results. During 2019 and 2020, FRC national awardees implemented innovative approaches and practical, cost-effective best practices to prevent and reduce wasted food. Best practices included waste audits and included custom pallet building to maintain flexibility for those picking up recovered food. Many FRC national awardees provided much-needed food during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nearly 600 businesses, governments and organizations actively participated in EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge in 2020-2021. Since the launch of the program in 2011, FRC partners prevented and diverted over 5.5 million tons of wasted food from entering landfills or incinerators. In the most recent reporting cycle, FRC partners prevented or diverted about 1.2 million tons of food from entering landfills or incinerators, saving partners up to $61.5 million in landfill tipping fees. 

For more information https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/food-recovery-challenge-results-and-awardees

EPA Recognizes Sodexo for Diverting Food Waste from Landfills

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA Recognizes Sodexo for Diverting Food Waste from Landfills PHILADELPHIA (Jan. 27, 2022) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it is recognizing Sodexo Inc. of Gaithersburg, Maryland, as an awardee in the Regional Endorser category of its Food Recovery Challenge (FRC). Endorsers are organizations that work with and educate others to reduce their generation of wasted food and may also recruit other organizations and businesses as Food Recovery Challenge participants. Sodexo has prioritized food loss and waste reduction efforts as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility strategy for over 10 years. Ending hunger has been Sodexo’s philanthropic purpose since 1999, and the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation has provided more than $35 million in grants to eradicate hunger in America. During 2020, Sodexo continued to focus on deploying technology that helped reduce food loss and waste at the source and increase participation in the Food Recovery Challenge. Sodexo also jumped into action with its key partners to save food and feed those in need as operations were disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “If we have learned anything over the past 18 months, it should be that no one organization can accomplish mitigating food waste and ensuring surplus food gets to where it is needed most by itself, said Roxanne Moore, Executive Director, Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation. “We need to think creatively across the entire supply chain and leverage the expertise and resources of both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. We must work together to save people and the planet.” Key results included:   FRC participation increases   A total of 340 Sodexo sites participating in FRC with a 68 percent increase; or 232 new sites in 2020.   Source reduction    Prevented 1.95 million pounds of food waste.   Saved the equivalent of 1.63 million meals.   Helped avoid 6,191 metric tons of CO2.   Food recovery through Stop Hunger   Over 200,000 meals recovered through volunteers and Sodexo’s partnership with Move for Hunger.   Over 860 volunteer hours logged by students through Sodexo’s partnership with the Food Recovery Network  “EPA congratulates Sodexo and all of the Food Recovery Challenge partners for their notable achievements and innovative approaches to reduce food waste in their operations,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz.  “By addressing food waste, there is an opportunity to lower our carbon footprint and increase climate resilience, while also addressing inequities in food security and public health.” Through the FRC, EPA has worked with organizations and businesses for the past decade to set data-driven goals, implement targeted strategies to reduce wasted food in their operations, and report results. During 2019 and 2020, FRC national awardees implemented innovative approaches and engaged in practical, cost-effective best practices to prevent and reduce wasted food. Best practices included waste audits and an innovation included custom pallet building to maintain flexibility for those picking up recovered food. Many FRC national awardees provided much-needed food during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 600 businesses, governments and organizations actively participated in EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge in 2020-2021. Since the launch of the program in 2011, FRC partners prevented and diverted over 5.5 million tons of wasted food from entering landfills or incinerators. In the most recent reporting cycle, FRC partners prevented or diverted about 1.2 million tons of food from entering landfills or incinerators, saving partners up to $61.5 million in  landfill tipping fees.  For more information https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/food-recovery-challenge-results-and-awardees

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA and Partners Celebrate Groundbreaking for Drinking Water Projects in Vinton, Texas

 

Media contact: Jennah Durant at r6press@epa.gov or 214 665-2200

DALLAS (Jan. 27, 2022) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) joined the North American Development Bank (NADBank) and the Village of Vinton, Texas, and other partners at a groundbreaking ceremony for two projects that will provide new drinking water distribution and wastewater collection to improve public health and water quality. The total estimated project costs of both projects is $30.33 million. 

These projects are receiving a total of $6.5 million in grants from the Border Environment Infrastructure Fund (BEIF), which is funded by EPA and administered by NADBank. Other funding support was made available through the US Department of Agriculture-Rural Development and the Texas Water Development Board. These projects also serve as an example of similar work in communities across Texas that will be funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in the near future.

“Every community deserves access to clean water and a reliable wastewater system,” said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “EPA is proud to fund this project to help keep the residents of Vinton safe and thriving. We look forward to working with additional communities to build capacity in their water infrastructure through funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”

The new drinking water system will include the installation of water distribution lines, meters, and a regional storage tank. It will increase access to safe and reliable drinking water services for more than 360 households by replacing the current substandard small water systems to provide access to a fully compliant water source and eliminate exposure to arsenic and pathogenic organisms present in the current water supply. The estimated total project cost is $10.6 million.

“Rural communities across Texas are taking the initiative to ensure they have the water they need, not only for today, but also for the future,” said Kathleen Jackson, Board Member of the Texas Water Development Board. “I applaud the Village of Vinton and congratulate them on moving these impactful infrastructure projects forward. The Village’s continued leadership and engagement is key to the success of Texas and to providing reliable water and wastewater services for future generations!”

The new wastewater collection system will provide first-time services for 506 existing homes and the decommissioning of on-site wastewater disposal systems. This will eliminate discharges of 275,000 gallons per day of untreated or inadequately treated wastewater from residential, commercial and industrial sources. The Village of Vinton will own the collection system infrastructure, including a local lift station, and El Paso Water will operate and maintain the system. The estimated total project costs are US$19.7 million.

“These two projects that are starting today represent the joint efforts of local, state and federal entities working together to provide the required funding to make possible access to quality water and wastewater services to small communities such as Vinton,” stated NADBank Managing Director Calixto Mateos Hanel. “The Bank was pleased to play a role in these infrastructure projects to benefit this community.”

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EPA Recognizes the Presidio Trust in San Francisco as Federal Green Challenge Winner

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA Recognizes the Presidio Trust in San Francisco as Federal Green Challenge Winner

SAN FRANCISCO (Jan. 27, 2022) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing awards for federal facilities across the country, in recognition of their practical, cost-effective measures to conserve resources as part of the Federal Green Challenge. In California, EPA is recognizing the Presidio Trust—the federal agency that preserves San Francisco’s Presidio National Park—with a regional Federal Green Challenge award for its leadership in conserving resources, promoting efficiency, and building a circular economy.

The Challenge, which began in 2013, is a national effort under EPA’s Sustainable Materials Management Program to encourage agencies to reduce the federal government's environmental impact. Reducing the size of a facility’s environmental footprint conserves natural resources and reduces pollution that contributes to climate change. 

“It’s going to take a whole-of-government approach to build a more sustainable future, and the awardees announced today are leading the charge,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “These agencies are addressing the impacts of the climate crisis by reducing the use of natural resources, resulting in an estimated cost savings across the federal government of $36 million in 2019.”  

“Congratulations to the Presidio Trust on its recognition in this year’s Federal Green Challenge,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “We applaud our federal partner for its innovative effort to reduce waste and build a circular economy, while preserving the Presidio site here in San Francisco as an enduring resource for the American people.”

The Presidio Trust reduced their Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste stream, consisting of construction materials and other bulky items related to management of residential and commercial properties within the Presidio of San Francisco. When the Presidio Trust learned that 75% of their C&D waste stream went to landfill, they worked with their waste hauler to add additional construction materials collection for recycling, hosted training for over 80 staff, and developed high quality recycling signs and maps. The Presidio Trust has recycled 56 tons of co-mingled C&D material, 56 tons of metal, 44 tons of carpet, and 7.5 tons of cardboard. Overall, the amount of material kept out of the landfill rose from 40% to 68% in the nine months post-training.

“The Presidio Trust has been a model in Federal waste reduction for over two decades. More recently, we committed to becoming a zero waste park,” said Abby Morris, Presidio Trust Zero Waste Coordinator. “Our strategies are simple: monitor our disposal to find opportunities for improvement, work with our haulers to maximize recycling opportunities, and educate the staff and community. Buy-in from our on-the-ground staff has been the key to our success.”

Caption: The Presidio Trust recycled 44 tons of carpet and carpet padding.

Over the lifespan of the program from 2013-2021, more than 400 federal agencies have made many changes to become more sustainable. Some high-level achievements have resulted in over three million tons of waste being diverted from landfills and 3,000 tons of e-waste being recycled. Agencies have avoided purchasing 15,000 pounds of office paper by switching to electronic documents. The federal government has purchased more electric and hybrid vehicles, while reducing the fleet distance traveled by 28 million miles. These efforts and more have resulted in approximately $200 million saved for American taxpayers.  

For more information on the Federal Green Challenge and this year’s winners, visit www.epa.gov/fgc. 

Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on Twitter.

EPA fine leads to Hale Kauai and Halona Pacific cesspool closures, to protect groundwater

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA fine leads to Hale Kauai and Halona Pacific cesspool closures, to protect groundwater

HONOLULU (Jan. 27, 2022) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken enforcement actions against Hale Kauai Limited and Halona Pacific LLC to close two illegal, pollution-causing large capacity cesspools on the islands of Kauai and Oahu. EPA will collect a total of $110,000 in fines. In 2005, EPA banned water polluting large capacity cesspools under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

“Companies like Hale Kauai and Halona Pacific must do their part to protect water resources from the disease-causing pathogens found in large cesspools,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “EPA is committed to finding and closing all remaining large capacity cesspools in Hawaii.”

In August 2020, EPA requested information about wastewater disposal at the Hale Kauai property. In March 2021, EPA requested similar information at the Halona Pacific property. The agency determined that a single cesspool operating at each property met the federal criteria to qualify as an illegal large capacity cesspool by being able to serve 20 or more people in a day.

The Hale Kauai property operates as Hardware Hawaii, a neighborhood hardware store located in Kauai’s Koloa area. Under this enforcement action, Hale Kauai Limited will pay a $40,000 fine, backfill the illegal cesspool, and install a state-approved septic system by March 15, 2023.

The Halona Pacific industrial property operates as an environmental management and construction services subsidiary located in Oahu’s Campbell Industrial Park on the leeward coast. Under this enforcement action, Halona Pacific LLC will pay a $70,000 fine, backfill the illegal cesspool, and install a state-approved septic system by January 31, 2023.

Cesspools collect and release untreated raw sewage into the ground, where disease-causing pathogens and harmful chemicals can contaminate groundwater, streams, and the ocean. Since the 2005 federal ban, more than 3,600 large capacity cesspools in Hawaii have been closed; however, hundreds remain in operation.

Cesspools are used more widely in Hawaii than any other state, which poses a particular challenge as groundwater provides 95% of all local water supply for the islands. There are seven public drinking water wells in the Koloa area that risk contamination from cesspool discharge where the Hale Kauai property is located.

EPA is authorized to issue compliance orders and/or assess penalties to violators of the Safe Drinking Water Act’s cesspool regulations. However, to encourage regulated entities to voluntarily discover, promptly disclose, and expeditiously close these pollution-causing systems, EPA provides penalty mitigation and other incentives for companies that self-police, disclose, correct, and prevent violations.

 

Information on how to self-disclose potential large-capacity cesspool violations is available at: https://www.epa.gov/compliance/epas-edisclosure.

For more information on the federal ban and definition of a large-capacity cesspool, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/uic/large-capacity-cesspools.

For more information on cesspools in Hawai’i, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/uic/cesspools-hawaii.

Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on Twitter.

Federal Government and State of Colorado settlement with Mining Companies paves way for additional cleanup at Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund site

 U.S. EPA News Release:

Federal Government and State of Colorado settlement with Mining Companies paves way for additional cleanup at Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund site

Contact: mylott.richard@epa.gov

DENVER (January 21, 2022) – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), The Justice Department, the Department of Interior, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the State of Colorado today announced a settlement with Sunnyside Gold Corporation and its Canadian parent company Kinross Gold Corporation resolving federal and state liability related to the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund site, which includes the Gold King Mine and many other abandoned mines near Silverton, Colorado. If entered by the court, this agreement provides for the continued cleanup of mining-related contamination within the Upper Animas Watershed and will protect public health and the environment by improving water quality, stabilizing mine source areas, and minimizing unplanned releases.

Under the agreement, Sunnyside Gold Corporation and Kinross Gold Corporation will together pay $45 million to the United States and State of Colorado and the United States will dismiss its claims against Sunnyside Gold Corporation and Kinross Gold Corporation. The United States will also contribute $45 million to the continuing cleanup at the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund site and Sunnyside Gold Corporation and Kinross Gold Corporation will dismiss its claims against the United States.

“This settlement addresses the cleanup responsibility of the private mining companies and the federal government and ensures that site cleanup work will continue,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Working with our state and federal government partners, the cleanup will protect the environment and the health of the people who live, work, and enjoy recreational activities in the area.”

“This settlement will allow EPA to continue our important cleanup work at the site to protect human health and the environment,” said Director Betsy Smidinger of EPA Region 8’s Superfund and Emergency Management Division. “We look forward to working with our state and local partners to use these funds which will be utilized to improve the environment for the people who work, live, and recreate in the area.”

“Today’s settlement holds these companies accountable for their past mining operations at the site,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “This settlement demonstrates the Justice Department’s and cleanup agencies’ continuing efforts, together with our state partners, to ensure that Superfund sites are investigated and remediated."

"The Gold King spill is a vivid reminder of the dangers associated with the thousands of abandoned and unclaimed hard rock mines across the United States, particularly in the West," said Deputy Secretary of the Interior Tommy Beaudreau. "Mining companies should be held accountable for these sites that put communities and tribal lands at risk of disastrous pollution. I'm proud that the Department of Interior was able to play a part in this important settlement."

“We are committed to protecting where Coloradan’s live, work, and play,” said Director Tracie White of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Hazardous Material and Waste Management Division. “This settlement will allow continued cleanup of this Superfund site, in coordination with our federal and local partners, to ensure the protection of human health and the environment for generations to come.”

EPA leads cleanup activities at the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund site, and DOI and USDA retain authority on publicly managed land. Recent interim cleanup work at the site, including efforts to stabilize mine waste and reduce contaminant releases to surface waters from source areas, have improved environmental conditions and will inform the development of future cleanup remedies for the entire site under an adaptive management framework. EPA has already spent over $75 million on cleanup work at the site and expects to continue significant work at the site in the coming years. 

More information about the site and this settlement can be found at www.epa.gov/superfund/bonita-peak.

The consent decree, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico, is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval. The consent decree will be available for viewing at https://www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.