FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Representatives from Goshen College's Rieth Village of Wolf Lake, Ind. and Rieke Packaging Systems of Auburn, Ind. were honored with a Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence during the 11th annual Pollution Prevention Conference and Trade Show held at Primo's West in Plainfield today.
Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) Commissioner Thomas Easterly presented the crystal trophies, which recognize Indiana's leaders who have implemented outstanding environmental strategies into their operations and decision-making processes.
Rieth Village, part of the Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College, was presented an award in the category "Energy/Renewable Resources." Honored for their use of sustainable strategies, Rieth Village is a building that will save over 60,000 kilowatt hours annually over a conventional facility through conservation methods as well as alternative energy sources.
"I am honored to accept the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence in Energy on behalf of my colleagues at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center and Goshen College," said Luke Gascho, executive director of the Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College. "I am grateful for the members of the Merry Lea planning team who, over ten years ago, had the vision for an ecological field station -- now called Rieth Village -- and believed that this green project would stimulate many others in Indiana to engage in sustainable design."
Rieke Packaging Systems has worked to limit emissions, succeeding in a reduction of over 10 tons between 2003 and 2006. Rieke was also honored with an award in the category of "Five Years Continuous Improvement" for processes and practice improvements implemented from 2002 to 2007. Among its many achievements, the company implemented a recycling program, saving over $10,000 in waste disposal costs, as well as improving use and management of supplies to reduce waste.
"Rieke Packaging Systems and Rieth Village deserve this recognition for utilizing innovative environmental practices to protect Hoosiers and the environment," said Thomas Easterly, IDEM commissioner. "Their contribution toward protecting Indiana's environment is a standard that we should all strive to follow."
The Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence are open to all Indiana facilities, government agencies, individuals and other groups that implement exemplary environmental projects with measurable results. By seeking out and utilizing innovative environmental practices, these facilities and programs have reduced waste, saved money and contributed greatly to Indiana's environmental protection efforts, benefiting the health and welfare of the state's communities and the state as a whole.
"The Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence honors the many donors and the integrated design team of architects, engineers, landscape architects, waste water treatment professionals and contractors -- all of whom believed that choosing environmentally appropriate building processes would be good for the planet and its people," stated Gascho. "In accepting this award, which honors the great story of Rieth Village and Merry Lea, I believe Hoosiers will be encouraged to be leaders in the best practices of stewardship of the Earth."
Presented in three categories, other Governor's Awards recipients are: Five-year Continuous Improvement award - Frito-Lay, Inc., Frankfort; Energy/Renewable Resources award - General Motors Powertrain, Bedford; Pollution Prevention award- City of Carmel Utilities, Carmel; Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis; Jeffboat, LLC, Jeffersonville; Monaco Coach, Wakarusa; and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana, Princeton.
The Pollution Prevention Conference and Trade Show is focused on linking pollution prevention activities with lean business practices. Indiana Partners for Pollution Prevention, a public-private partnership between Indiana businesses, and IDEM's Office of Pollution Prevention and Technical Assistance (OPPTA) are co-sponsors of the conference. OPPTA is dedicated to fostering innovations that drive environmental improvements in industry.
IDEM created the Partners in 1996 to assist industries in sharing pollution prevention experiences and to advise IDEM on pollution prevention policies and programs. Partners is composed of manufacturers, not for profit organizations, institutions, and government agencies invested in promoting pollution prevention efforts in Indiana. The 53 organizations currently members of the Partners have shown a proven interest in promoting and developing pollution prevention programs to achieve measurable reductions in pollution in Indiana.
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About IDEM
IDEM (http://www.idem.in.gov/) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens in protecting Hoosiers and our environment.
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