The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) accepted five new members and ten renewal memberships into its enHance program for the 2017 class on Thursday. The recognition was part of the annual workshop and awards luncheon held in Jackson.

enHance is a voluntary stewardship program begun in 2009 that recognizes committed environmental leaders who accomplish goals beyond their legal requirements. enHance is open to facilities, cities, counties, and other entities who are interested in the program, and applicants can choose from three tiers: Leader, Steward, or Associate.

“It is an honor to recognize these companies that are actively striving to reduce their wastes, reduce their environmental impacts, and improve the quality of life in their communities. Their vision and leadership is to be commended, as their efforts will result in both immediate and long-term benefits for the residents of our state,” said Gary Rikard, MDEQ Executive Director.

New members for 2016:
LEADER

Advanced Distributor Products (Grenada)

STEWARD

Eaton Corporation (Jackson)
Omega Motion (Saltillo)

ASSOCIATE

CrestFoam (Houston)
Georgia Pacific Wood Products (Taylorsville)

Renewing members for 2017:

LEADER

The Cooper Tire Company (Tupelo)
Flexsteel (Starkville)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Canton)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing (Blue Springs)
Tupelo Sleeper – Leggett & Platt (Tupelo)

STEWARD

The Cooper Tire Company (Clarksdale)
Naval Construction Battalion Center (Gulfport)
City of Ridgeland
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems (Ocean Springs)

ASSOCIATE

Choctaw Generation Limited Partnership (Ackerman)

Details on the projects submitted by the members as part of the application process follow this release.

Members include private companies, federal government facilities, and local governments. Membership is voluntary, and applications for membership may be submitted each year from July 1 through September 30.

More information about the program is available at www.enhance.ms.

2017 enHance Members
LEADER

Advanced Distributor Products, LLC (Grenada) (NEW)
Advanced Distributor Products manufactures evaporator coils in its manufacturing facility in Grenada. ADP is currently implementing a zero landfill project which will eliminate or divert over 1,000 tons per year of waste from landfills. Through better control of its water testing facility, ADP was able to save over 2.6 million gallons of water per year. ADP is also active in their community with the “Charged Up” program.

The Cooper Tire Company (Tupelo) (RENEWING)
The Cooper Tire Company Tupelo produces passenger tires from its plant employing over 1,600. Through an energy management and waste management program, Cooper Tire is planning on reducing the amount of energy used per tire produced as well as how much material is sent to landfills. This project has resulted in a 35% reduction. Cooper Tire also hosts a Waste Tire Collection Day for its area.

Flexsteel (Starkville) (Leader) (RENEWING)
Renewing member Flexsteel just completed a solvent conversion project resulting in over 15 tons per year of VOC emissions and reducing 1.5 tons of Hazardous Air Pollutants and a recycling project diverting over 2.5 tons from landfills. Flexsteel also serves as a mentor to Ability Works, a community rehabilitation center providing vocational assessment and training to individuals with disabilities.

Nissan North America, Inc. (Canton) (RENEWING)
Through a filter replacement project, Nissan is saving over 6,477,000 KWH and over $300,000 per year. Nissan also implemented a LED Lighting project saving over 1,781,000 kwh and over $82,000 per year. Nissan has partnered with the Rankin County School District to certify the schools as Energy Star. This year, 25 schools were certified as Energy Star Facilities.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing (Blue Springs) (RENEWING)
Toyota has implemented a several of water reduction project resulting in a savings over 14.5 million gallons of water per year. Toyota has also reduced the amount of wastewater sludge generated by 25.7 tons per year while increasing production by 7.4%. Toyota also sponsored the National Public Lands Day at the Tombigbee State Park. Toyota just received Mississippi Recycling Coalition’s Business and Industry Recycler of the Year Award.

Tupelo Sleeper – Leggett & Platt (Tupelo) (RENEWING)
Tupelo Sleeper reduced its energy consumption by 52% through a lightning replacement project. They also implemented a loading dock air curtain project to reduce energy consumption and improve employee comfort. Tupelo Sleeper has been recognized by Tupelo Parks and Recreation for its adopt-a-park project

STEWARD

The Cooper Tire Company (Clarksdale) (RENEWING)
The Cooper Tire Company Clarksdale produces curing bladders. They reduced their trash to landfill levels by 49% from the 2012 level and is currently pursuing an additional 5% goal through an ongoing waste reduction project. Through an energy management project, the facility saved over 1.8 Million kwh and 3,300 MMBtu.

Eaton Corporation (Jackson) (NEW)
Eaton Corporation designs, manufacturers, and test hydraulic aerospace components found on 95% of aircraft today from its Jackson manufacturing facility. Eaton Corporation has undertaken an LED Lighting conversation project saving over 100,000 khw per year. Eaton Corporation also implemented Rooftop HVAC condensation drains rerouting project saving over 165,000 gallons of water.

Naval Construction Battalion Center (Gulfport) (RENEWING)
NCBC partnered with Mississippi Power to implement a solar photovoltaic system saving 4.2 MW of energy. NCBC diverted over 7,700 tons of sediment from landfills through a pilot in-situ treatment program.

Omega Motion (Saltillo) (NEW)
Omega Motion manufactures metal furniture components in its Saltillo plant with 350 employees. Omega Motion is reducing the amount of wood pallets and cardboard ending up in landfills by creating a returnable tote system for products shipped in the U.S. Omega Motion has also reduced the amount of paint waste the process generates by one ton per year through an improved paint recovery system. Omega Motion is also active in the community and has adopted Thompson Avenue for a monthly cleanup project.

City of Ridgeland (RENEWING)
The City of Ridgeland is in the process of converting trucks to natural gas fuels resulting in fewer emissions, fuel consumption, and lower vehicle maintenance. Ridgeland has also expanded their recycling program with solar powered recycling compactors. In addition to being an enHance member, the City of Ridgeland is a recognized Tree City USA, a Bicycle Friendly Community, and a top 100 places to live by Money Magazine.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems (Ocean Springs) (RENEWING)
NGMS manufactures and provides integrated shipboard electronic system for the U.S. Navy as well as international customers. NGMS recycles all paper and aluminum used at their facilities. Through lighting and lighting controls, NGMS saves 53,000 kwh per year. NGMS also participates with local governments in Coastal Cleanup and VERITAS Adopt-A-Highway.

ASSOCIATE

Choctaw Generation Limited Partnership (Choctaw County) (RENEWING)
Choctaw Generation LP leases and operates the Red Hills Power Plant. Choctaw Generation reduced its lighting wattage by 80% through a LED lighting project.

CrestFoam (Houston) (NEW)
Crestfoam manufactures re-bonded carpet paddling from scrap urethane foam in its facility in Houston, Mississippi. Crestfoam was able to reduce the horsepower of all its equipment and conveyer’s by 5%. Crestfoam has also adopted the streets around the facility, and hosts a monthly cleanup.

Georgia Pacific Wood Products (Taylorsville) (NEW)
Georgia Pacific Wood Products in Taylorsville manufactures softwood veneer plywood and other lumber products. Georgia Pacific began a wastewater and stormwater analysis project aimed at reducing discharge to state waters. The project resulted in a major beneficial re-use project that diverted nearly 12 tons of waste from landfills and resulted in a water savings of nearly 320,000 gallons per year of water.