1 Environmental Improvements from Collaborative Partnerships Columbia Corridor Association May 24, 2006 Dorothy Fisher Atwood Zero Waste Alliance

2 Collaborative Partnerships….. What are they????

3 Collaborative Partnerships Proactively address complex environmental and community issues. Share best practices Leverage information Create a community of participants Build common purpose - Goals

4 Comparison to Traditional Approach Traditional Environmental improvement By individual facility Compliance-driven Reactive to regulations Often public versus private Collaborative Environmental improvements By group of participants Voluntary Proactive Public and private goals aligned

5 Bartow County, Georgia Private Georgia Power Company Anheuser-Busch Shaw Carpet Thompson Honda Cartersville Medical Center Aubrey Corporation Public City and county governments City and county school districts Law enforcement agencies Georgia Tech University

6 Virginia Partnership DuPont Honda, Honeywell Tysons Ukrops Supermarkets Ridefinders EPA Region 3 VA DEQ Cities (e.g. Richmond, Hopewell, Charlottesville) Counties (Augusta, Chesterfield, Planning District US Army and Navy, and Bases VA Tech University

7 Virginia’s Story Environmental Benefits: Cleaner air Reduction in stormwater impacts Reduced solid waste streams Product: Menu of best practices Common metrics Other Benefits: Enhanced cooperation Cost savings New perspective on regional issues

8 Virginia Successes Sense of community and common purpose Regular communications and face-to-face interaction Neutral facilitation and partnership support Shared priorities (local, regional, and state) Reports on progress and impacts - accountability Creative and innovative voluntary approaches to common environmental priorities

9 Columbia Corridor

10 Possible Common Issues Portland Well Field Protection –Water quality –Toxics reduction Storm Water Management Waste Reduction –Material exchange Air Quality

11 How to Start Launch: 1.Identify initial partners. 2.Build trust with regular communication and collaboration. First Steps: Review partners’ environmental goals and requirements. Share information about best practices Identify potential voluntary collaborative opportunities

12 More Information Bartow County Overview: htm htm Virginia V-REMS Report: