Businesses Prevent Toxic Emissions to Reduce Bay Pollution - The Chesapeake Bay Program

<body><p>While government may lead the effort to bring back the Chesapeake Bay, the overall success of the restoration lies in the hands of all 16 million people living in its watershed. </p> <p>To help the region's business community do their part to prevent nutrient and toxic pollution from reaching the Bay and its rivers, the Bay Program has helped to manage a program called <em><a href="../b4bay.htm" target="_top">Businesses for the Bay </a></em><a href="../b4bay.htm"> (B4B)</a>.</p> <p>B4B helps member businesses voluntarily commit to preventing their facilities from emitting toxic and nutrient pollution into the Bay watershed. Although any one facility in the watershed may release only a small amount of waste, the combined effect of thousands of facilities acting similarly throughout the watershed can have a strong impact on the health of the Bay and its rivers. By following pollution prevention guidelines, organizations can help clean up the environment and save money at the same time.</p> <p><strong>Who is involved in B4B? </strong></p> <p>Currently there are <a href="http://www.chesapeakebay.net/b4baymembers.htm" target="_top">708 members of B4B</a>, which includes small, medium and large businesses and government, military and educational facilities that are committed to preventing pollution in their daily operations.</p> <p><strong>How do members benefit from joining B4B? </strong></p> <p>Restoring environmental health is an obvious benefit of partnering in a pollution prevention effort, but B4B members also benefit economically. Organizations that practice pollution prevention typically save money on handling, storing and disposing of waste; energy and water usage costs; and raw materials (they oftentimes are able to reuse some materials that would otherwise be disposed of in their waste).</p> <p> Each year, B4B members who make exceptional strides in preventing pollution are recognized among their peers in an annual awards ceremony. In 2005, <a href="http://www.chesapeakebay.net/b4bayexcel.htm" target="_top">18 organizations received B4B awards</a> for excellence.</p> <p><strong>How much pollution have B4B members prevented? </strong></p> <p>B4B has been active since 1996, and its members have consistently reduced the amount of toxic and nutrient pollution entering the Bay and its rivers. From 2004-2005, B4B members reported that they reduced or recycled more than 136 million pounds of waste and saved an estimated $3.8 million.</p> <p>One great example is B4B member Transwestern Commercial Service, who has voluntarily taken great strides in reducing the pollution by committing to recycle 100% of their lamps in the Mid-Atlantic region. As one of the area's largest property managers, Transwestern estimates that it may be able to prevent between 175,000 and 220,000 fluorescent lamps from disposal. By recycling these fluorescent lamps, which contain mercury, Transwestern will help to reduce the amount of mercury reaching local landfills.</p> <p><strong>How else does B4B help its members? </strong></p> <p>B4B educates members about a variety of environmental issues and pollution prevention techniques. For example, in 2005, the <a href="http://www.chesapeakebay.net/calendar.cfm?EventDetails=6078&DefaultView=2" target="_top">Chesapeake Bay Voluntary Environmental Programs Conference</a> focused on how local voluntary efforts help to restore the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In addition, workshops throughout the year discussed specific techniques and programs, like reducing truck idling time and applying fertilizer correctly.</p> <p>B4B members may also elect to participate in a <a href="http://www.chesapeakebay.net/b4baymentor.htm">mentorship program</a>. Mentors are B4B members who volunteer to serve as a resource for similar but less experienced members. This mentorship program enables organizations new to B4B with starting up successful pollution prevention and reduction methods in their organizations. </p> <p><strong>How can my organization get involved in B4B? </strong></p> <p>B4B has an <a href="http://www.chesapeakebay.net/b4bayjoin.htm">online application for enrollment </a>, which any business or organization within the watershed can complete and submit for review. The B4B coordinator works with the appropriate state pollution prevention coordinators to contact the applicant about getting involved in B4B. It is an easy process for organizations that are interested in Bay restoration.</p> <p><strong>What is toxic pollution and how does it impact the Bay? </strong></p> <p>Chemical contaminants that get into the environment and harm the animals and plants around them are typically considered to be toxic pollution. Learn about toxic pollution in the Bay .</p> <p><strong>How do scientists learn about toxic pollution in the Bay? </strong></p> <p>One way that scientists learn about toxic contaminants in the Bay is to examine white perch, a resident fish in the Bay, for chemical concentrations. Find out more about what these studies show . </p> <hr> </body>