On June 20th, the Office of Pollution Prevention will be hosting the Tidewater Region VEEP Workshop at Virginia Beach City Public School's Old Donation School. Please join us for a FREE day of discussion on topics including regulatory updates, environmental management systems, and case studies from VEEP members. Invitation coming soon!
If you are interested in sponsoring the event by providing snacks, please contact us at VEEP@deq.virginia.gov.
Congratulations to the 2019 Governor's Environmental Excellence Winners!
Prince William County Fire and
Rescue receiving award
The 2019 Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards were announced on March 28th, 2019 at the 30th Environment Virginia Symposium in Lexington. The awards recognized the significant contributions of environmental and conservation leaders in four categories: sustainability, environmental project, land conservation, and implementation of the Virginia Outdoors Plan. They are given to businesses and industrial facilities, not-for-profit organizations, and government agencies.
Gold Medal Winners
Capital Region Land Conservancy - Malvern Hill Farm
Carilion Clinic - Efficiency and Sustainability Program
Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation - Dutch Gap Relic River Trail and Water Access
Hampton Roads Sanitation District - SWIFT Research Center
Silver Medal Winners
Chesterfield County General Services - Energy Management & Sustainability Program
Prince William County - Department of Fire and Rescue
Roanoke County Parks, Recreation & Tourism - Jae Valley Park
Town of Appalachia - Powell River Trail & Trailhead
Bronze Medal Winners
Virginia State University - Simms Hall Demolition and Site Redevelopment
Wärtsilä Defense, Inc. - WDI Environmental Sustainability Program
Honorable Mention Winners
Virginia Tech Office of Sustainability - Student Internship Program
Wild Wolf Brewing Company - Every Day is Earth Day
Ten organizations are being recognized as VEEP 2019 Sustainability Partners! To learn more about the Sustainability Partners online.
City of Charlottesville
City of Newport News
City of Roanoke
County of York
James Madison University
Marstel-Day, LLC
Prince William County
US Army Garrison Fort Lee
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Virginia Department of Corrections
Attention Healthcare Facilities and Reverse Distributors
EPA's Hazardous Waste (HW) Pharmaceuticals Rule was published in the Federal Reigster on February 22, 2019. This rule will become effective August 21, 2019. Among other requirements, the rule will mandate that all healthcare facilities and reverse distributors must stop flushing down the drain or placing into any sewer system all hazardous waste pharmaceuticals. Prior to this cut-off date, all healthcare facilities and reverse distributors must develop an alternate plan for the management of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals.
Under the HW Pharmaceuticals Rule, alternate management standards have been developed for all hazardous waste pharmaceuticals. These standards will become effective in Virginia after August 21, 2019. Statewide training will be conducted prior to the effective date in Virginia. Please stay tuned to the DEQ hazardous waste webpage for more information.
Governor's Environmental Excellence Award Winner Highlight:
Carilion Clinic - Efficiency and Sustainability Program
Carilion Clinic's Efficiency and Sustainability Program is led by its Environmental Stewardship Council and over 100 Sustainability Champions from various departments who recognize that the health of our environment directly impacts the health of our communities. Carilion Clinic is committed to creating a comprehensive environmental sustainability program and working with its community partners in Southwest Virginia. Through the Efficiency and Sustainability Program, Carilion Clinic has expanded recycling efforts, increased funding to purchase food from local farmers, installed 4,000 solar panels and upgraded lighting. Carilion Clinic has donated over 40 tons of excess medical supplies to support medical education and international missions, sponsored a community bike share program and funded an urban farm which offers produce to anyone who tends the garden or attends on-site health education events.
