Think green

By Illinois. Environmental Protection Agency

Subjects: Green movement, Pollution prevention, Activity programs, Forms, Volunteer workers in environmental education, Supplemental Environmental Project Idea Bank Program (Ill.), Environmental protection, Citizen participation, Environmental education, Community service (Punishment)

Description: Illinois EPA has created a SEP Idea Bank that allows the public to submit ideas for improving public health and/or the environment that could be used as SEPs. When settling an enforcement action, companies sometimes agree to undertake SEPs (Supplemental Environmental Projects) as part of the penalty portion of the settlement. SEPs must improve, restore, protect, or reduce risks to public health and/or the environment beyond that achieved by simply complying with the law. The company will receive some penalty offset for completing a SEP. ... Eight categories of projects are appropriate for the Idea Bank. ... Pollution prevention and resource efficiency ... Pollution reduction ... Green schools ... Environmental restoration and protection ... Emergency planning and preparedness ... Technical assistance and outreach ... Environmental education and public awareness ... Special waste collection events and ongoing community waste programs ...