Washtenaw County’s Environmental Excellence Partnership Program (E2P2) has officially recognized the 2020 and 2022 recipients of its Environmental Excellence Awards.
Catie Wytychak, a water quality specialist at the Washtenaw County Water Resources Authority, explains that E2P2’s focus has shifted from pollution control to greener infrastructure. The E2P2 program offers community members three of her programs. Clean Stream Community Partners for Water Conservation, Waste Knots for Waste Reduction and Recycling, and Pollution Prevention Programs for Safe Storage and Use of Hazardous Materials.
The Environmental Excellence Awards classify green infrastructure into three categories: Water Conservation, Waste Reduction and Recycling, and Pollution Prevention, with a final award for Environmental Excellence Leadership.
Arbor Brewing Company The Crossings of Ann Arbor Condominium Association was recognized for excellence in water conservation.
“Arbor Brewing Company has been in our Waste Knot program since the late 90’s,” says Wytychak. “In 2019, in celebration of Treebeard Day, they donated the proceeds from the sale of his Treebeard IPA to help him raise $10,000 to plant a tree in his community, which he then planted in his Park Dolph. rice field.”
The Crossings of Ann Arbor Condominium Association joined E2P2 in 2019. For the past two years, he has been watering two rain garden plants by collecting rainwater from the roof of the building.
“Often we use the same landscaper to create rain gardens for our partners,” says Wytychak. “But they wanted to work with an existing landscaping company to educate their staff on how to do this construction.”
Mountain Raven Ann Arbor and the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Ypsilanti Recognized for excellence in waste reduction and recycling.
“Fjällräven is almost completely waste-free. Very little waste leaves the store,” says Wytychak. “They also host an Earth Day Volunteer Day to pick up trash along the Huron River.”
The Emmanuel Lutheran Church has partnered with Clean Streams and Waste Knot community partners. There are also campaigns for clothing and reusable medical supplies, Wytychak said, “not just reusing materials, but serving the community.”
The Pollution Control Award is unique in that the awarded business is obliged to participate in pollution control methods, and the winning business must: Going above and beyond. Ann Arbor’s Convenience auto service Changed store lighting to LED and reduced use of fluorescent lamps containing mercury. Businesses have also made changes to use products that are less hazardous, easier to dispose of, and more environmentally friendly.
The Ann Arbor-based Toyota Tech Center also received recognition in pollution control for its decision to design better storage areas for hazardous materials and to perform more internal health and safety inspections.
The Environmental Excellence Award for Leadership was given to Ann Arbor’s local principal, Shannan Gib Randall. Insight Design Studio Co., Ltd. Located in Ann Arbor, a landscape architect firm known for its eco-friendly designs. Gibb-Randall is known for using on-site water as a resource. Wytychak says, “Returning water to the ground improves water quality on site.” She has also helped design eco-friendly landscaping at several locations in Washtenaw County, including the Ann Arbor City Hall and Eastern Michigan University family housing at Cornell Courthouse.
Other awards include Master Composter and Rain Garden Leadership.
Wytychak said all community partners of the Clean Streams and WasteKnot programs are free to join.
“People interested in what they can do on their property should contact us for technical assistance and design,” she says.
For more information on this year’s Environmental Excellence Award winners, visit the Water Resources Commissioner’s Office website. herePlease email us for information on how to partner with E2P2 as an individual or business. e2p2@washtenaw.org Or call (734) 222-6860.
Rylee Barnsdale is a Michigan native and has lived in Washtenaw County for many years. She believes Eastern needs to use her experience in journalism during her University of Michigan days to contribute to Eastern Her Echo and listen to Washtenaw County residents.
