HARRISBURG – Fifteen Pennsylvania businesses and organizations are being recognized for adopting environmentally friendly practices and technologies and are working to revitalize communities, reduce pollution, and educate the public on the benefits of being good stewards of the state’s natural resources.

Two of the winners are in Monroe County:

• Sanofi Pasteur Inc. completed construction and began operations last summer on its expanded wastewater treatment and irrigation facility in Swiftwater. The project increased the capacity of the existing on-site wastewater treatment plant and reuses at least 50,000 gallons per day of treated wastewater at the on-site central utilities plant, and makes up to 315,000 gallons available per day from April through October for seasonal land application. The treatment process uses a state-of-the-art technology that reduces energy consumption.
• The Tobyhanna Army Depot is considered the largest, most progressive electronics maintenance facility in the Department of Defense. Through its aggressive efforts, the depot recycled enough office paper to save the equivalent of 1,411 pulp trees, 31,540 gallons of oil, 274 cubic yards of landfill space, 340,300 kilowatts of energy, and 581,000 gallons of water. Tobyhanna also recycles nontraditional materials like wastewater, vegetable oil, motor oil, and construction and demolition debris. The facility then used the funds it generated from the recycling program to purchase a compact fluorescent bulb for every employee, including tenants and contractors, to support Energy Star Operation Change Out. Beyond that, employees of the Army depot pledged to replace 23,643 inefficient incandescent bulbs with CFLs, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 9.7 million pounds

“What these businesses and organizations and one inspiring educator all have common is their ability to view environmental challenges as opportunities to do things differently,” said Governor Edward Rendell in announcing the recipients of the 2009 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence. “Their leadership is inspiring and together we will continue to preserve and protect the commonwealth’s precious natural resources.”

This year, the Department of Environmental Protection received 40 applications from businesses and organizations across the state. The projects were judged on environmental protection, teamwork, public service, environmental education and outreach, pollution prevention, economic impact and innovative technology.