June 6, 2006

Michigan is leading the nation in developing innovative approaches to environmental protection, a distinction recently noted by the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable at the annual National Environmental Summit held recently in Atlanta, Georgia.

The NPPR issues the Most Valuable Pollution Prevention (MVP2) Awards annually in conjunction with National Pollution Prevention Week, and since the MVP2 recognition program began in 1998, Michigan has received six of these highly competitive awards, more than any other state.

“This achievement is a recognition of the innovative efforts we have made to provide Michigan with both a healthy environment and a healthy economy,” said Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester. “Our partners in the business community are making it a matter of practice to reduce, reuse, and recycle.”

Michigan most recently received an award in September, 2005, for the Green Supplier Network, a project between the DEQ and Michigan’s office furniture industry that is creating environmental improvements in the design and manufacturing of their products.

To receive an MVP2 Award, a project must be the best in its class in achieving measurable results, transferability, innovation, commitment, and optimization of available resources. Pollution prevention emphasizes that reducing pollution is preferable to controlling it, and the six awards given in Michigan recognize the accomplishments achieved by specific business sectors and companies, as well as the assistance programs offered by the DEQ.

National Pollution Prevention Week will be held September 18-26, and many of the more than 1,500 businesses and facilities that participate in the DEQ’s pollution prevention programs will undertake special activities with their employees, suppliers, and customers during this time.

More information on Pollution Prevention Week can be located on the DEQ Web site at www.michigan.gov/deqp2initiatives. Further information on the MVP2 Award can be located on the NPPR Web site at www.p2.org.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the

Revised June 6, 2006 by Pat Watson