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EPA WELCOMES HARVARD UNIVERSITY IN "PARTNER FOR CHANGE" PROGRAM

Release Date: 01/04/2000
Contact Information: Peyton Fleming, EPA Press Office (617-918-1008)

BOSTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced that Harvard University's Environmental Health and Safety Department has been recognized for its environmental achievements. The university department has been accepted as a participant in the agency's "Partners for Change" program, which encourages New England colleges and universities to explore and implement responsible environmental practices in return for EPA recognition. It is the first such university department in New England to be recognized under the three- year-old EPA program.

EPA is recognizing the department for developing two innovative and interactive web-based training programs to raise environmental awareness and meet ongoing training needs at the decentralized institution, which has over 30,000 students and employees. These web-based training programs supplement existing classroom and on-the-job training sessions for hazardous waste and spill prevention and control training.

Both training programs include a review of environmental best management practices, regulatory requirements and Harvard-specific procedures, followed by a short multiple choice examination. Each of the training sessions also includes useful links to university-specific environmental information and resources, as well as other related web sites including those of EPA, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and other universities.

So far, about 3,700 people have been trained for hazardous waste and spill prevention using the new on-line training programs. This is in addition to the 3,400 people who have been trained in the classroom. The substantial usage of the on-line training demonstrates not only customer satisfaction and successful implementation of the training program, but also that effective use of resources and technology can significantly increase environmental education, awareness and outreach without requiring a corresponding significant commitment of resources.

"Harvard's Environmental Health and Safety Department is proof positive that a green economy translates into a good economy," said John P. DeVillars, administrator of EPA's New England Office. "We hope that others are inspired by institutions who take the initiative to promote environmental improvements while showing that they don't have to sacrifice their bottom line in doing so."

Joseph Griffin, director of Harvard's EH&S Department, said that Web-based compliance training is a "natural fit" for the academic environment.

"We have had a very positive response to this approach by our faculty and staff," Griffin said. "Our training, which is available to the university community day or night, provides essential "need-to-know" compliance information and has enabled us to focus resources on compliance assistance and other environmental management practices."

"Partners for Change" is open to any colleges and universities, businesses or organized groups in New England. Small businesses are especially encouraged to apply. To be recognized as a partner, an organization must implement a project or activity that results in a long-term, environmentally beneficial change to its daily operations. Such efforts can include waste reduction practices, recycling programs or other efforts that help green the work place.

In return for joining the program, partners receive a certificate, window decal and publicity from the EPA. In addition, partners are featured in a partners-to-partners directory that lists all participating organizations.

To sign up for "Partners for Change," or for more information about the program, call 1-888-EPA-REG1. Request the "environmental pocketbook," a resource guide with useful tips on recycling, energy efficiency and waste reduction, as well as phone, e-mail and worldwide web listings of EPA help lines. The pocketbook also includes program requirements and an application.