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U.S. EPA SELECTS TWO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BUSINESSES AMONG 32 NATIONWIDE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE TRACK PROGRAM

Release Date: 2/11/2002
Contact Information: Leo Kay

La Mirada, Santa Ana facilities chosen
                               
     SAN FRANCISCO   U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman today announced the acceptance of 32 new members into its National Environmental Performance Track program, including two from Southern California.  

     The EPA designed National Environmental Performance Track to recognize and encourage top environmental performers   those companies and communities that voluntarily go beyond compliance with regulatory requirements to attain environmental performance that benefits the environment, people and communities.  The EPA selected Santa Ana-based REI Ricoh Electronics and Rohm and Haas in La Mirada as its only two California participants this round.

     "Through Performance Track, EPA recognizes and rewards businesses and public facilities that demonstrate strong environmental performance beyond current requirements," Whitman said. "While building a collaborative relationship with EPA, Performance Track participants realize environmental results beyond what could be achieved through regulation and enforcement alone. Their efforts will be of significant help as we look towards our ultimate goal; cleaner air, purer water and better protected land."

     Between 1998 and 2000 Rohm and Haas's La Mirada Plant reduced its solid waste by 88 percent, and its hazardous waste generation by 56 percent, while maintaining production levels.  Over the next three years, Rohm and Haas has committed to reduce energy consumption by 10 percent; to reduce water usage by 6 percent, to reduce hazardous waste generation by 20 percent, and to reduce NOX emissions by 10 percent. Rohm and Haas is an acrylic and vinyl acrylic emusion polymer manufacturer.

     The REI Ricoh Electronics' facility in Santa Ana, Calif., manufactures dry toner, liquid toner, thermal transfer ribbon and thermal media paper products.  Using a strong environmental management program that emphasizes recycling, the facility has succeeded in sending absolutely no waste to landfills.  (In 1999 the facility shipped 320,000 lbs of solid waste to a landfill compared to none in 2000).  The facility also reduced its NOX emissions by 8.5 percent, and has committed to further reducing NOX emissions by 10 percent per year.

     Launched 18 months ago, Performance Track now has 282 members.  Over their initial three years of participation, Performance Track facilities are committed to reducing solid waste by 225 million pounds; lowering emissions of greenhouse gases by 26 million pounds; recycling or reusing more than five million pounds of materials; and reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds by 98,000 pounds.