“I’m happy to recognize the leadership and accomplishments of businesses that are actively working to prevent pollution and make a positive impact in their communities,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “The work done by this year’s awardees supports EPA’s goals of reducing pollution and addressing climate change.”
Leprino Foods Company in Fort Morgan, Colorado is a dairy ingredients manufacturer that produces mozzarella cheese, milk proteins and lactose. To reduce its greenhouse gas and water footprint, Leprino installed
“The company views pollution prevention efforts as a critical factor in manufacturing products for the overall benefit of the consumer and play an important part in meeting climate action commitments,” said Leprino Foods Fort Morgan Plant Manager David Merriam. “As water scarcity concerns escalate in the local watershed, and throughout the country, every effort we can make to reduce water demand in our processes helps to lessen the strain on water supplies. Reductions in electrical, gas and transportation help to minimize air quality impacts across the region and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Future projects planned for this coming year include upgrading LED lighting, upgrading internal water reuse projects, as well as optimizing the ammonia system efficiency.”
Management and Engineering Services, LLC in Longmont is a small business that provides specialized environmental and business planning support solutions to government agencies and private companies operating on government lands. Over the past three years, Management and Engineering Services implemented water reduction equipment and techniques, instituted a
PCs for People in Denver, Colorado provides opportunities for greater Denver’s individuals and families with low income to benefit from the life-changing impacts of computer and internet access. PCs for People Denver diverts over a million pounds of electronic waste from Colorado landfills every year and repurposes the waste to support digital inclusion. In the last three years, PCs for People Colorado has refurbished over 24,814 computers and responsibly recycled over 2 million pounds of electronics, providing second life to these devices that may have otherwise ended up in a landfill. Not only do they prevent hazardous waste from entering the waste stream, but they also reduce the demand for manufacturing new computers.
“We are humbled and honored to receive this award in recognition of our positive environmental impact,” said PCs for People Denver Executive Director Alejandro Dopico. “Every time a business recycles their technology with us, we feel excited about the opportunity to give it a second life as a valuable device for a family while also keeping it out of a landfill. We are grateful to the many partners who make our work possible, from businesses to community organizations to our customers.”
Taco Star in Longmont, Colorado is a family-owned Mexican restaurant. By working with Longmont’s Sustainable Business Program, Efficiency Works, and Boulder County Partners for a Clean Environment, Taco Star updated older compact fluorescent interior and exterior lighting to new LED fixtures, replaced less efficient hand sink aerators with low-flow aerators, and replaced 20-year-old refrigeration equipment with new ENERGY STAR® units.
