HOLLAND – Holland Board of

Public Works has been awarded the Michigan Department of Environmental

Quality’s Neighborhood Environmental Partners Program Award for its commitment

to environmental community outreach.

 

The NEP program recognizes

community-based projects and the partners who make them possible, including

local units of government, non-profits, and others who work together to

implement ongoing environmental and social projects. HBPW is a member of MDEQ’s

Michigan Business Pollution Prevention program and is required to set annual

goals and report on its pollution prevention activities annually.

 

HBPW was chosen for its

success in collaborating with other local utilities and businesses within the

greater West Michigan community, specifically the annual Recycle Rewards event,

in which HBPW teamed up with Consumers Energy, Comprenew, Hope Church, Herman

Miller and JACO Environmental.

 

The event offered a unique

opportunity for HBPW and Consumers Energy customers to lower their electricity

bill and get money in their pocket by getting rid of old, inefficient

appliances. Customers were able to turn in up to two working freezers and

refrigerators for a $50 rebate, and for up to two room air conditioners and

dehumidifiers, a $15 rebate.

Most importantly, the appliances were recycled and

the Freon properly removed, which kept them from being disposed of in a

landfill. Comprenew, a nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping unwanted

electronics out of the environment by extending their life cycle or recycling

their components, was also present at the event to take unwanted and outdated

televisions (no CRTs), computers, cell phones, microwaves and more. Comprenew

wipes all data from the electronics before recycling.

 

“It’s been a pleasure to

continue our collaborative efforts with various organizations in the West

Michigan community,” said Dave Koster, general manager, Holland BPW. “The event

has become one that customers anticipate and we’re glad we have been able to

offer it as an annual event.”

 

This was the fourth

consecutive year HBPW has organized the Recycle Rewards event and the fifth

consecutive year HBPW has received the NEP award from the MDEQ.

 

Customer’ who missed the

Recycle Rewards event can still take advantage of HBPW’s refrigerator recycling

rebate, which is available year-round.

 

“Our Energy Smart program

encourages HBPW customers to turn in their old, but working refrigerators and

freezers for a $50 rebate,” said Anne Saliers, community energy services

manager, HBPW. “It’s convenient because HBPW, who partners with JACO

Environmental, sends someone to the customer’s home to pick up the appliance.

Customers receive a check in the mail four to six weeks later.”

 

HBPW customers replacing

their old refrigerator with a new one can also qualify for an additional $25

rebate if they choose an ENERGY STAR rated refrigerator.

Learn more about HBPW’s Energy Smart rebates at www.hollandbpw.com.