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News Release

For immediate release
October 5, 2006

FOUR COMPANIES NAMED ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS
Long-Term Commitment To Environmental Stewardship A Key Component Of Program

TORONTO —Trillium Health Centre, Rohm and Haas Canada’s West Hill Facility, Cargill Limited’s Toronto Facility and Teknion’s Flint Plant have been accepted into Ontario’s Environmental Leaders Program.

“The McGuinty government is proud to acknowledge the efforts of these companies that have gone above and beyond what is required of them,” said Environment Minister Laurel Broten.  “We hope other companies will follow the example of these companies and find ways to reduce their impacts on the environment.”

The Environmental Leaders Program rewards companies that go beyond current regulatory standards by making a commitment to lower their emissions or discharges.

To be considered for the program, a facility must have an environmental management system, an emissions inventory, and must report publicly on its progress.  In return, the ministry gives companies public recognition and an opportunity to forge a specialized relationship, while improving the environment.

Pollution Probe’s Executive Director, Ken Ogilvie, is a supporter of the program. “The Environmental Leaders Program is a new way to meet the challenge of superior environmental performance and to recognize those companies that step up to the plate.”

Trillium Health Centre is one of the leading community hospitals in Ontario, serving the residents of Mississauga, south Etobicoke and the surrounding region.  Trillium has committed to achieving 98 per cent elimination of mercury from its hospital facilities and a 30 per cent reduction in the volume of non-hazardous waste it currently sends to landfills.  The health care centre has also committed to hold two mercury thermometer trade-in days for the local community.

The Rohm and Haas West Hill facility is part of the architectural and functional coatings industry, producing over 120 different acrylic-emulsion compounds.  The facility has committed to a 50 per cent reduction of its 2-ethylhexanol emissions (a smog pollutant), as well as to an energy conservation assessment.

Cargill operates a meat packaging facility in Toronto.  The Cargill Foods Toronto facility has committed to a 15 per cent reduction in electricity and natural gas use by 2010, a 10 per cent reduction in water consumption, a 20 per cent reduction in organic loading to wastewater and a five per cent reduction in used oil generated at the facility. 

Teknion is a leading international designer and manufacturer of office systems and related furniture products.  Teknion’s Toronto panel plant has committed to a 10 per cent electricity reduction, a 50 per cent particulate (a smog pollutant) reduction, a 20 per cent increase in waste diversion and a 10 per cent reduction in carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide emissions by 2009.

“Government, business and individual residents of this province all share responsibility for the environment,” said Broten.  “A genuine team effort is needed to successfully preserve and protect our environment.”

For more information on the Environmental Leaders Program and its newest members, please visit the ministry’s website at http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/general/leadership/index.htm.

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Contact information for media:
John Steele, (416) 314-6666 Ministry of the Environment Contact information for the general public: 416-325-4000 or 1-800-565-4923/ www.ene.gov.on.ca	Anne O’Hagan, (416) 325-5809 Minister’s Office