Four Colorado companies were recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8 — two being in Longmont — for their pollution preventive measures.
Longmont’s Management and Engineering Services LLC and Taco Star were amongst the winners of the EPA 2021 Regional Pollution Prevention (P2) Award Program, according to a news release from the agency. Other Colorado winners included PCs for People in Denver and Leprino Foods Company in Fort Morgan.
Management and Engineering Services and Taco Star were awarded for meeting the award program requirements. Businesses with projects within the last three years that reduce environmental impacts could apply for the non-monetary award. The EPA P2 Award Program considers “any practice that reduces environmental releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants prior to entering a waste stream for recycling, treatment, or disposal,” as pollution prevention.
Some of the projects that the EPA listed for Longmont-based Management and Engineering Services were its “water reduction equipment and techniques, installing low-flow devices, a remote-controlled irrigation system with rain and snow sensors, and xeriscape landscaping.” Its support of employee bike-to-work and zero waste efforts with a composting and recycling program were other factors in Management and Engineering Services’ award.
The company consults government agencies and private companies operating on government-managed lands and provides business and environmental solutions. Though sustainable solutions is a part of the services Management and Engineering Services provides, the EPA P2 award recognized the pollution prevention measures within its own company.
“It validates what you're doing, it's a structured approach to help you achieve your goals in those areas,'' said Melissa DeCino, Director of Operations for Management and Engineering Services. “We believe here, that in order to really consult for our clients and really work with them appropriately, we have to walk that talk.”
The Longmont company holds several certifications recognizing its efforts from the International Organization for Standardization including the Environmental Management System and Water Footprint Management System certifications.
According to the EPA P2 program, the Longmont firm’s efforts have conserved 24,200 gallons of water and avoided 57 Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (MTCO2e) in greenhouse gasses.
Taco Star in Longmont was also awarded by the EPA P2 program and was unavailable to comment on the win. The Mexican restaurant worked with Longmont’s Sustainable Business Program, Efficiency Works, and Boulder County Partners for a Clean Environment (PACE), to add new LED fixtures and transition to low-flow aerators, according to the news release. Taco Star replaced a piece of 20-year-old refrigeration equipment with ENERGY STAR® units, meaning appliances pass energy-efficiency guidelines set by energystar.gov.
Taco Star’s efforts resulted in $4,695 saved annually according to the EPA P2 program.
Its yearly avoided greenhouse emissions is 32 MTCO2e and the annual water conserved is 13,000 gallons.
