Sustainability Partnership Areas of Interest

EPA partnership programs offer participating organizations a wide variety of valuable services and resources to reduce waste, save energy, encourage reuse and conserve resources. Participating organizations can benefit by addressing the environmental impacts of their own operations, and by pioneering with more efficient and environmentally friendly products and services.

The areas of focus listed below can serve as a guide for organizations wishing to reduce their environmental footprint and for helping to develop an eco-strategy to achieve that goal.

Energy Conservation – Proper power management and equipment can lead to increased energy efficiency, reduced costs and lowered emissions.

Text Box: “In 2006 alone, with the help of the ENERGY STAR program, Americans saved $14 billion on their energy bills while preventing the GHG emissions equivalent to 25 million vehicles.” --A Business Guide to U.S. EPA Climate Partnership Programs Materials Management – Reduce pollution by: choosing a greener product or design; adjusting a manufacturing process; expanding recycling programs; examining the life-cycle of materials and by reducing waste.

Water Conservation – Improve efficiency of water usage, reduce the need for new or expanded storage capacity, treatment works, or sewers.

Green Purchasing - Goods and services that most effectively minimize negative environmental impacts over their life-cycle from manufacture, to transportation, use, recycling or disposal.

Fuel Efficiency and Air Quality – Burning fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere that contribute to climate change.

Green Buildings and Land Use - Green building practices create innovative, efficient and enjoyable work or living space which over their lifetime have reduced energy and maintenance costs. Careful site selection minimizes impacts on the surrounding environment.

Recycling – Reuse of materials and goods reduces waste streams and the use of raw materials.

In the United States, buildings account for:

36 percent of total energy use and 65 percent of electricity consumption

30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions

30 percent of raw materials use

30 percent of waste output (136 million tons annually)

12 percent of potable water consumption

Source: U.S. Green Building Council

If you are a major organization located in the Mid-Atlantic Region and are interested in joining or would like information about the Sustainability Partnership, please contact EPA by e-mail (R3_Partnership@epa.gov) or by phone (800-438-2474).

Region 3 The Mid-Atlantic States

Sustainability Partnership Areas of Interest

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