Virginia Coastal Program: 1997 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY1997 Task 7
Grantee:
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality - Office of Pollution Prevention
Project Title:
Consumer/Household Pollution Prevention Pilot Project for Tangier Island
Project Description as Proposed:
This project will implement and test the effectiveness of a consumer/household pollution prevention outreach/education program on a pilot basis in the community of Tangier Island. The proposal focuses on the use of pollution prevention or source reduction techniques to reduce or eliminate the negative environmental and health impacts that can result from the improper handling, management and disposal of consumer/household hazardous products.
Federal Funding:
$21,239
Project Contact:
Harry Gregori, 804.698.4003
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Booklet: Tangier Island Household Pollution Prevention/Hazardous Waste Pilot Project. Report describes before and after citizen survey, island champions, outreach to schools and citizens, purchase of storage units and recycling bins. Report includes photos.
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The Consumer/Household Pollution Prevention Pilot Project for Tangier Island was implemented to test the effectiveness of a consumer/household pollution prevention outreach/education program on a pilot basis. The project focused on the use of pollution prevention and source reduction to reduce the negative environmental and health impacts that can result from the improper handling, management and disposal or consumer/household hazardous products.
As a result of the Tangier Grant, DEQ was able to research, develop and conduct outreach to island residents in a two fold approach: First, residents were reached through a general outreach initiative including a newsletter, discussion at Town Council meetings, surveys of resident opinions and knowledge of environmental issues and dissemination of materials via Tangier Grant champions. Second, the Tangier Grant allowed teachers and staff at Tangier Combined School to obtain educational materials through DEQ and other environmental sources. Tangier teachers were able to discuss specific Standards of Learning (SOLS) in which they were deficient in materials. Throughout the grant, bulletin boards dealing with Pollution Prevention, posters, book marks, stickers and other materials were given to students via the school librarian, a project champion. Currently, a teacher workshop is being coordinated for the spring to address specific pollution prevention materials by DEQ's Environmental Education Department.
In addition to outreach, the Tangier Grant permitted the purchase of storage bins for Tangier Island which allowed various materials to be identified, diverted from the waste stream, collected and stored for shipment off island for recycling. Bins were purchased for the collection of used golf cart batteries (the major source of transportation for island residents) and used aluminum cans. Options were also researched and presented to Tangier Town Council for collection of used oil for recycling off island. Currently, the used battery program is in operation and the used aluminum can collection system has been purchased and will be implemented upon completion of delivery by Tangier Town Council.
Form C end
Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4323 or email: Laura.McKay@deq.virginia.gov
A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov