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P2 programs

P2 staff develop voluntary programs that are targeted to a specific sector or issue in order to appeal to the specific needs of a given set of facilities. Voluntary programs and partnerships create opportunities for assistance, awards, and public recognition. Below is a brief summary of each initiative.

Virginia Environmental Excellence Program

 A quality Environmental Management System (EMS) can greatly assist a company in managing their environmental aspects. DEQ’s Office of Pollution Prevention has promoted the development and use of EMS to business and industry as a method for achieving long-term environmental improvement, hopefully by means of source reduction. In an effort to assist these companies, DEQ has developed the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP). Participation in VEEP is voluntary, and the program will offer recognition, assistance, and incentives to encourage the development of EMS by businesses, manufacturers, government agencies, and other organizations.
Virginia Hospitals for a Health Environment
 Virginia Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (VH2E) is a partnership to educate Virginia health care professionals about the significant environmental impacts of the health care industry and the many pollution prevention (P2) opportunities that are available to hospitals and other health care facilities. Environmental impacts from the activities of health care industry can be statistically linked to public health problems and seemingly conflicts with the creed of the health care industry, 'first, do no harm'. For more information, contact Tom Griffin.
Businesses for the Bay
 Businesses for the Bay is a voluntary team of forward-looking businesses, industries, government facilities and other organizations within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. We are committed to implementing pollution prevention in our daily operations and reducing our releases of chemical contaminants and other wastes to the Chesapeake Bay.
National Partnership for Environmental Priorities
 EPA's newest waste minimization effort is the National Partnership for Environmental Priorities Program (NPEP). This voluntary program encourages results by publicly recognizing and showcasing the source reduction, recycling and advanced manufacturing accomplishments of member partners who commit to reducing wastes containing the "Waste Minimization Priority Chemicals". These 31 chemicals are found in hazardous waste and are documented contaminants of air, land, water, plants and animals.
VREMS

The Virginia Regional Environmental Management System (V-REMS) The Virginia Regional Environmental Management System (V-REMS) is a partnership of over 50 federal, state, and local public and private organizations that collaborate to address regional community and environmental issues.  The innovative partnership strengthens community relationships and promotes environmental sustainability by reducing air emissions, improving water quality, and minimizing waste in the areas where its partners operate. Recent projects have focused on clean school buses, the alternative fuel E-85, energy efficiency and stormwater pollution prevention
Virginia InformationSource for Energy
 Virginia Information Source for Energy (VISE) is the Office of Pollution Prevention's new web site dedicated to energy resources.
Mercury Reduction
 Mercury is an element that as a pollutant is at or near the top of the EPA's lists of "PBT's", those elements which are the most "persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic"; and therefore, pose the greatest risks to the environment and the public. As a result, the Virginia DEQ has worked to promote and coordinate statewide efforts to reduce or eliminate the use of mercury and mercury-containing products; and to collect unused elemental mercury for proper management and recycling. For more information, contact Tom Griffin or visit the mercury reduction website.
Virginia Green Lodging
 Virginia Green is a Virginia DEQ program developed to promote pollution prevention practices in the tourism and hospitality industry. Let us know about the good things you are doing. We can help promote those things by printing certificates for display at your front desk or placards for your guest rooms, which list/describe the things that your facility is doing to help the environment.
Department of Defense
 On October 19, 2000, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Virginia DEQ, the US EPA, and the US Department of Defense entered into a landmark Pollution Prevention Charter. The DoD P2 Partnership was initiated in grand style with a formal signing ceremony in the chambers of the Virginia Senate. Representatives of all the charter members participated, including former Governor James Gilmore and over 20 Virginia DoD facilities. The P2 Charter commits to cooperative projects which further the mutual P2 goals of the Commonwealth and the Nation.
Clean Marina Program
 OPP worked closely with the Virginia Clean Marinas Program to ensure that P2 and EMS concepts are effectively included. The checklist that is used for evaluation of a "clean marina" designation has been designed to coincide with the general outline of an EMS - such that the facility will have taken the first steps towards a full EMS. The Virginia Clean Marinas Program has embraced the importance of his effort by developing a standardized "Environmental Policy Statement", and a large-scale version is provided to participants for display at their facility. Therefore, DEQ has determined that the signing of the pledge and full designation as a clean marina will automatically qualify the facility as an E2 facility in the VEEP program. Please see the full list of E2 marinas.
e-cycling
 Disposal of electronics is a concern because there may be hazardous materials, such as lead, mercury, and hexavalent chromium, in circuit boards, batteries, and color cathode ray tubes. Televisions and CRT monitors contain four pounds of lead, on average (the exact amount depends on size and make). Mercury from electronics has been cited as a leading source of mercury in municipal waste. In addition, brominated flame-retardants are commonly added to plastics used in electronics. If improperly handled, these toxics can be released into the environment through incinerator ash or landfill leachate. Check out the website for more information.
Waste Wise
 In conjunction with the Virginia DEQ's EMS and its goals for solid waste reduction, DEQ is a participating member and endorser in EPA's WasteWise program. As a member, DEQ has committed to reduce its own solid waste generation. As an endorser, DEQ has committed to encourage other organizations to become WasteWise partners.

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