To honor environmental achievements and spur the renewed commitment of business, industry, citizens, and government, Governor Eric J. Holcomb has issued a proclamation designating September 16 to 22, 2018 as Pollution Prevention Week in Indiana. Indiana’s proclamation coincides with National Pollution Prevention Week, also observed the third week of September.
The week will feature the 21st Annual Indiana Pollution Prevention Conference and Trade show. The conference is open to all public and private sectors who wish to exchange ideas, share experiences, and promote practices that help the environment. Presentations include discussions with industry leaders on sustainability, pollution prevention, and saving energy in manufacturing, as well as an interactive conference track that focuses on wastewater issues.
New organizations will be inducted into the Partners for Pollution Prevention during the conference, and there will be a Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence presentation. The Governor’s Awards recognize Indiana’s leaders who have implemented outstanding environmental strategies into their operations and decision-making processes. By seeking out and utilizing innovative environmental practices, these facilities and programs have reduced waste, saved money, and contributed greatly to Indiana’s environmental protection efforts, benefiting the health and welfare of the state’s communities and the state. The Indiana Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence were introduced on June 24, 1994 when Governor Bayh announced the first recipients of the award.  The awards were established to recognize organizations that voluntarily went above and beyond their regulatory requirements by reducing the use of toxic materials or generation of environmental wastes, and to transfer these project successes to other organizations for possible implementation. Since the awards inception in 1994, IDEM and successive Governors have expanded the awards to seven categories: Energy/Renewable Resources, Greening the Government, Land Use/Conservation, Environmental Education/Outreach, Pollution Prevention, Recycling/Reuse, and Continuous Improvement. IDEM is excited to award successful and innovative projects again this year.
The Pollution Prevention Week Proclamation and additional information can be found at www.idem.IN.gov/ppp/2360.htm .