Improving air quality and enabling economic development in the six county region around Chicago is the goal of the Clean Air Countssm program. Waste Management & Research Center (WMRC), along with the Delta Institute, is spearheading efforts to work with the paint manufacturers in the Chicago area to reach this goal.
Clean Air Counts is a voluntary public-private initiative to reduce smog forming pollutants and energy consumption. WMRC and the Delta Institute are providing free technical assistance to participating companies to implement pollution prevention (P2) opportunities. WMRC provides laboratory testing, in-facility evaluation of processes, and technical expertise in developing alternative solvents. They also have produced a handbook for Chicagoland paint and coating manufacturers entitled “Selecting and Evaluating Cleaning Solvents.”
The Clean Air Counts program was one of a dozen honored nationally this year by the US EPA. The recognition came at the fifth annual Clean Air Excellence Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. These awards honor outstanding, innovative efforts to make progress in achieving cleaner air.
In the past year, WMRC expanded its outreach service to paint manufacturers to promote successful P2 programs. These programs can include ways to reduce emissions, improve hazardous waste storage procedures, and reduce disposal costs for cleaning solvents. The Center also initiated direct technical assistance to high volume paint customers with strategies that reduce Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) associated with paint use and application. High volume users include bridge and water tower painting companies, manufacturers with large paint shops, municipalities, and commercial businesses.
Clean Air Counts is a collaborative effort of the Metropolitan Mayor Caucus, US EPA Region 5, City of Chicago, and Illinois EPA.
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