During last week’s Pollution Prevention Week, seven recipients were honored with the 2024 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence of Indiana. The awards are the state’s most prestigious environmental recognition awards. The recipients initiated or continued projects in 5 categories in a range of environmental topics including pollution prevention, environmental education, land use, and recycling and reuse.
One project worked specifically toward pollution prevention and eliminating the use of trichloroethylene (TCE) which is a known contaminate to groundwater if not handled properly. Electro-Spec in Franklin, IN previously used TCE in a vacuum vapor environment to degrease metals. Alternative solvents did not have the low surface tension required to clean small parts or work in Electro-Spec’s equipment. Electro-Specto purchased a new vacuum vapor degreaser which allowed them to eliminate the use of TCE in their facility and resulted in a three-year cost savings of over $10,000.
Other recipients included the Dubois Co. Soil and Water Conservation (education and outreach to farmers about healthy soil practices), Eli Lilly (5-Year continuous improvement projects to reduce pollution risk and improve sustainability practices), Delta Institute and Hobart Sanitary District (restoration of the Duck Creek Tributary and outreach activities), Hendricks County Recycling District (new recycling facility), Dearborn County Solid Waste Management District (on-going reuse programs), and Muncie Sanitary District (improved recycling program).
Congratulations to these organizations for improving and expanding projects that positively impact our state’s environment, health and quality of life!
Recipients of the 2024 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence were honored at the Indiana Partners for Sustainability’s Annual Conference and Tradeshow, held at the Mariott Indianapolis North (Keystone at the Crossing) on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. Not pictured: Representatives from the Muncie Sanitary District. Photo courtesy of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
