Environmental Progress - Fall 2000

Pollution Prevention Group Plans 2001 Roundtable in Chicago

Group is nation's largest dedicated solely to pollution prevention

The National Pollution Prevention Roundtable's Spring 2001 conference will be held February 28 - March 2, 2001, at the Hyatt Regency on the Riverwalk in Chicago. A variety of training opportunities will be offered Feb. 27, prior to the conference.

Innovative pollution prevention tools, technology, and training promoting economic development and reduction of waste will highlight the conference, which is targeted at industry, government and non-government organizations. Tours of local industries that have successfully implemented pollution prevention programs will be offered. Staff from Illinois EPA, the Illinois Waste Management and Research Center, U. S. EPA, and the city of Chicago are working with the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable to host the conference.

The National Pollution Prevention Roundtable (NPPR) is the largest membership organization in the United States devoted solely to pollution prevention (P2). The group provides a national forum for promoting the development, implementation, and evaluation of efforts to avoid, eliminate, or reduce pollution at the source. NPPR has sponsored semi-annual conferences across the country since 1985. The annual spring conference attracts about 700 people from federal, state, and local government programs, private industry, and non-governmental organizations.

Information on the Spring 2001 conference is posted on NPPR's web site . For more information contact Michele Russo with the NPPR at 202-466-7272 or Becky Lockart with the Illinois EPA Office of Pollution Prevention at 217-524-9642.

Four businesses in the Chicago area that have successfully implemented pollution prevention at their facilities will open their doors to conference attendees. They include:

SWD Inc., in Addison - SWD is a recognized leader in the metal finishing and sorting fields. The company has achieved certification in the ISO 9000, ISO 9002 and ISO 14001 programs. SWD is the first company in the U.S. to achieve these international registrations simultaneously, being the first metal finisher in the United States to receive ISO 14001 certification.

International Engine Corporation (formerly known as Navistar) in Melrose Park - International manufactures inline six cylinder diesel engines at the Melrose Park plant. Hazardous waste generation at the plant has been reduced to zero. The Melrose Park engine facility was one of the first diesel engine manufacturers to receive ISO 14001 EMS certification. The facility has received numerous environmental awards including six Illinois Governor's Pollution Prevention Awards.

Motorola Company's Illinois 02 Plant in Schaumburg - Analog and digital two-way radio products and systems for conventional, shared and private applications worldwide are designed, manufactured and distributed at the Schaumburg plant. The facility has reduced VOC emissions by 92 percent, process hazardous waste by 97 percent, water use by 38 percent and increased cardboard/paper recycling more than 200 percent within eight years. Honors include the Illinois Governor's Pollution Prevention Award (1993, 1997, 1998) and a Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Pollution Prevention Certificate (1999).

Ford Motor Company in Chicago - This Ford Motor Company plant, where the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable are produced, opened in 1924. It occupies more than 2.7 million square feet, with a 16-mile assembly line. In 1999, the plant produced in excess of 290,000 vehicles. The Chicago Assembly Plant has received ISO 14001 certification.