Twenty-Eight Organizations Commit to Environmental Leadership

Summary: Georgia Businesses and Organizations Join the P²AD Partnership Program During Recent Enrollment Period

ATLANTA (May 31, 2005) – The Pollution Prevention Assistance Division (P²AD) has accepted 28 organizations and companies into its Partnership Program. By joining the P²AD Partnership Program, these organizations have committed to taking a leadership role in protecting and preserving the environment. The new Partners have pledged to perform a variety of activities, ranging from community outreach to implementing environmentally preferable procurement policies.

“Some of Georgia’s leading companies and nonprofit organizations have stepped up and committed to joining us in our efforts to protect and conserve Georgia’s natural resources. These Partners recognize that sound environmental practices are not only beneficial for the environment, but also good for the bottom line,” said Bob Donaghue, director of P²AD. “We are very excited that the response to our Partnership Program continues at such a high level.” The 28 new Partners join 34 others throughout Georgia already committed to environmental leadership through the P²AD Partnership Program.

The P²AD Partnership Program offers four levels of participation, with the entry level for each business or organization based on activities already in place as well as those to be completed during the term of Partnership. Partnership terms range from three years for White, Yellow and Red Ribbon to unlimited at the Blue Ribbon level. P²AD Partnership offers a variety of benefits and incentives, including cost savings through increased efficiencies, potential regulatory flexibility, free technical assistance and training, and access to networking and mentoring among peers, state and local officials.

The following companies/organizations were accepted during the fall 2004 enrollment period:
Red Ribbon Level – Baldwin State Prison; Georgia Power Company General Services Headquarters – Southern Company; Hancock State Prison; Scott State Prison; Georgia-Pacific Resins, Inc.
Yellow Ribbon Level – L.R. Richards Construction, Inc.; Shaw Industries Group, Inc. (Plant 4, Plant 23, Plant 67, Plant 70, Plant X); Morgan’s Bar and Grill; Blackbeard’s Restaurant; Jekyll Island Miniature Golf and Bike Rentals; Jekyll Island Convention Center; Jekyll Island Campground; Cartersville City Schools Transportation Department; Avastone Consulting; Pandel, Inc.; Georgia Power Plant Bowen; City of Cartersville Vehicle Maintenance; Bartow County Water Department; Bartow County School Bus Maintenance Shop; Bartow County Public Works – Vehicle Maintenance.White Ribbon Level – Middle Georgia Clean Cities Coalition; Greenleaf Environmental Group, Inc.; Environmental Protection Division (EPD); DNV Certification.
Enrollment in the P²AD Partnership Program is open twice a year, from February through April and again from August through October. Additional information and applications are available at www.p2ad.org.

The Pollution Prevention Assistance Division (P²AD) is a non-regulatory division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Since 1993, P²AD has provided free, confidential environmental technical assistance in the areas of pollution prevention, resource conservation, waste reduction, by-product reuse and recycling. In 2004, P²AD established the P²AD Partnership Program to foster environmental leadership and recognize superior environmental performance. The P²AD Partnership Program is free and open to any business or organization that operates in Georgia, and includes four Partnership levels to fit the changing goals and environmental initiatives. For more information about P²AD and the P²AD Partnership Program, visit www.p2ad.org.