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PA Groups Win 6 Of 10 EPA Regional Environmental Achievement Awards
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s mid-Atlantic region this week announced 10 winners of its annual environmental achievement awards, six of those winners were from Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania winners include the Earth Conservancy Ashely, Healthy Food in Health Care, Philadelphia, Temple University, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Natural Energy Technology Laboratory, Pittsburgh and the Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown.

“People and organizations throughout our region are making great strides in environmental protection, and these awards recognize some of the shining stars who are doing more than their share to keep our planet healthy and inspiring others to do the same,” said acting EPA Regional Administrator William C. Early.

The Mid-Atlantic Environmental Achievement Awards recognize groups, agencies, individuals and businesses making extraordinary contributions to improving the environment in the mid-Atlantic region, which includes Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. The winning entries were selected from among more than 60 nominations.

Here's additional background on the Pennsylvania winners:

--The Women's Health & Environmental Network for establishing the Healthy Food in Healthcare program that provides a holistic approach to sustainable, healthy foods by engaging hospitals to commit to sustainable procurement, menu offerings and disposal practices. WHEN educates hospitals on their huge environmental footprint and ways to mitigate climate change through smarter, healthier food choices.

--Temple University in Philadelphia for establishing its Computer Recycle Center that could serve well as a model for other universities and large businesses. Originally a safe disposal collection facility for computer equipment, the recycle center has grown into a dynamic assembly line operation in which equipment is picked up from departments, cataloged, evaluated, salvaged and when possible, refurbished. During 2008, the center processed more than 2,000 computers and 1,800 monitors, and donated more than 300 refurbished computers to non-profit organizations and schools.

--The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for demonstrating leadership and innovation in the area of sustainability in healthcare. Since 2007, the hospital’s recycling has increased significantly and its biohazard waste has decreased significantly. CHOP has a variety of recycling and re-usage programs in place including: cardboard, paper, confidential paper, glass, plastics, metals, pallets, kitchen grease, oil, light bulbs, e-waste, linens, batteries, excess supplies donation, carpet, toner cartridges and OR blue wraps. All of these programs have been able to flourish due to training, encouragement and recognition.

--Pittsburgh’s National Energy Technology Laboratory will receive the award for accomplishing and sustaining significant measurable environmental results for more than 20 clearly defined environmental issues at its campuses in Pittsburgh and Morgantown, W. Va. Accomplishments include milestones in waste minimization, pollution prevention, energy conservation, green procurement, and recycling initiatives.

--The Earth Conservancy from Ashely, Pa. will be recognized for its work in reclaiming abandoned mine property in Luzerne County.Earth Conservancy was recognized for spearheading efforts to reutilize former coal company-owned lands in Luzerne County. After obtaining a $14 million federal grant in 1993 and raising $2 million from the private sector, Earth Conservancy purchased approximately 16,300 acres of land from the estate of the former Blue Coal Corporation, which had declared bankruptcy in the mid-1970s. The group then created several comprehensive land use plans to guide its reclamation and restoration. To date, Earth Conservancy has reclaimed 1,216 acres at a cost of $20.3 million, with another 1,142 acres in-process, at an estimated cost of $55.7 million.

--The Lehigh Valley Health Network of Allentown, Pa. will be recognized for environmentally-related achievements that include decreasing its waste disposal, implementing new and innovative recycling programs, establishing environmental awareness training programs for employees and initiating a composting pilot program.

EPA presents awards in three categories: non-profit or volunteer organization; business and industry; and state, local or other federal government agency.

9/21/2009

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