Ohio EPA’s Encouraging Environmental Excellence (E3) Program recognizes an organization’s exceptional achievements in environmental stewardship. Any business, industry, trade association, professional organization or local government of Ohio can be recognized for their commitment to environmental excellence. The program has a four-level approach to provide recognition to Ohio organizations completing environmentally beneficial activities. The goal of environmental stewardship is to reduce the impact of business or organizational activities on the environment beyond measures required by any permit or rule, producing a better environment, conserving natural resources and resulting in long-term economic benefits.
The Achievement Level recognizes any entity completing environmentally beneficial activities. Applications will be accepted on a continual basis throughout the year. Applicants must be in compliance with environmental laws and regulations. Achievement Level benefits include a certificate of recognition signed by the Director, a listing on the Ohio EPA website, program highlights included in Ohio EPA publications and a decal with the E3 logo to display at the applicant’s location.
The Silver Level recognizes organizations that have outstanding achievements in environmental stewardship. Applications will be accepted annually and include both written and on-site evaluations for the Silver, Gold and Platinum Levels. Applicants must also be in compliance with environmental laws and regulations for a year prior to receipt of their application for these three levels. Silver Level benefits include an E3 flag to hang at the recipient’s location, Ohio EPA news release touting the recipient’s environmental accomplishments, an invitation to an awards ceremony and possibly a site visit by the Ohio EPA Director, and a case study to publicize the recipient’s proactive approach to environmental stewardship.
The Gold Level recognizes organizations that have comprehensive environmental stewardship programs. The E3 Gold Level recognizes an organization’s exceptional achievements and ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. Gold Level benefits include all Silver Level benefits and participation in an annual E3 Director’s meeting, enhanced environmental and financial assistance, environmental stewardship information updates and the opportunity to ask what Ohio EPA can change to help you meet your environmental requirements.
The Platinum Level recognizes organizations that have comprehensive environmental stewardship programs that benefit the local community and regional area. Platinum Level benefits include all E3 Gold Level benefits, an E3 Platinum Level Flag and a Platinum Level Award.
For more information about Ohio EPA’s Encouraging Environmental Excellence program and the recognition levels, visit www.epa.ohio.gov/ohioE3.aspx, or contact the Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance’s Office of Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention at 1-800-329-7518.