15th Annual Environmental Stewardship Program Welcomes Two New Members

 

Jackson, MS- The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality is recognizing the members of the agency’s 2023 enHance Environmental Stewardship program.

MDEQ’s enHance program has awarded thirteen organizations distinction as top environmental leaders during an annual workshop and awards ceremony, hosted by MDEQ and the Mississippi Manufacturers’ Association.   enHance is a voluntary stewardship program that recognizes committed environmental leaders who accomplish goals beyond the standard regulatory requirements.

The enHance Class of 2023 has two new members and 11 renewing members (see attached enHance member summaries).  The two new members are: Modine CCP (Grenada) and Modine OEM (Grenada).  The renewing members are:  Advanced Distributor Products LLC (Grenada), Cooper Tire and Rubber Company (Tupelo), Nissan North America, Inc. (Canton), Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi, Inc. (Blue Springs), Cooper Tire and Rubber Company (Clarksdale), Eaton Aerospace LLC (Jackson), City of Ridgeland (Ridgeland), US Navy, Naval Construction Battalion Center (Gulfport), Leggett & Platt Inc./Tupelo Sleeper (Tupelo), Rankin County School District and Toyota-Boshoku Mississippi (Mantachie).

“It is an honor to recognize these facilities which are actively working to reduce their wastes and their environmental impacts,” said Chris Wells, MDEQ Executive Director.  “Each enHance member is to be commended for efforts that result in both immediate and long-term benefits for Mississippians while also striving for continuous environmental improvements.”

enHance members have implemented projects over the history of the program that have resulted in:

  • The elimination of over 500,000 pounds of hazardous waste,
  • The reduction, reuse or recycling of over 1.5 million tons of solid waste,
  • The conservation of more than 300 million gallons of water per year,
  • The reduction of more than 6 billion kilowatt hours of annual energy use and over 20 million MMBTUs of total annual energy savings,
  • Significant reductions in air emissions, with a CO2 reduction of almost 8 million tons, and a
  • Total costs savings of over $9 million.

enHance is a program that is open to manufacturers, local governments, institutions and other eligible organizations. MDEQ will open the application process for the enHance Class of 2024 in the coming months and interested organizations are invited to apply.  More information on MDEQ’s enHance program can be found at enhance.ms.

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