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New Jersey Companies Among Those Honored for Environmental Performance

Release Date: 04/13/2005
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For Release: Wednesday, April 13, 2005

(#05029) NEW YORK -- In a national ceremony in Chicago, Illinois yesterday, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) honored two National Environmental Performance Track members from New Jersey for their corporate leadership and environmental performance. EPA gave awards to Johnson & Johnson, headquartered in New Brunswick, N.J. and Ideal Jacobs Corp., located in Maplewood, N.J. The Agency also recognized four new members to the program. The annual awards ceremony is a gathering of top environmental performers, EPA and state leaders, and other program partners who strive for environmental excellence through innovation and partnerships.

"Performance Track members continue to contribute notable reductions in water use, hazardous waste generation, emissions of greenhouse gases and energy use," said Regional Administrator Kathleen Callahan. "They are environmental trailblazers, paving the way towards successfully improving the environment by going beyond what the law requires."

Johnson & Johnson, a member since 2001, was selected from among the programs' 344 members to receive a Corporate Leader Award. To become a Corporate Leader, at least five of a companies' facilities must be Performance Track members and/or members of similar performance-based state programs. Selected companies, designated as Performance Track Corporate Leaders, commit to improve their environmental performance and that of their suppliers and customers. These leaders also increase their level of membership in the current program to at least 50 percent of their U.S. operations within five years of designation. Eighty-two percent of Johnson &
Johnsons' facilities are already members.

Ideal Jacobs Corp., a member that joined Performance Track in 2002, won an Environmental Performance Award in the small business category because it has anexcellent environmental record, a clean compliance history, a very strong Environmental Management System and quality reporting system. In 2003, Ideal Jacobs Corp. surpassed their performance commitment to reduce both solid and hazardous waste. They reduced the solid waste they generate by 1,970 pounds within one year and reduced the use of hazardous materials by 56 pounds.

EPA also recognized the four newest Performance Track members from New York and Puerto Rico. They include:

1. Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York
2. Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico
3. Brooklyn Navy Yard Cogeneration Partners in Brooklyn, New York
4. Schering-Plough in Las Piedras, Puerto Rico.

The National Environmental Performance Track Program, which began in June 2001, is a voluntary public-private partnership dedicated to encouraging beyond compliance environmental protection. For more information, please visit the program Web site at www.epa.gov/performancetrack.