BALTIMORE, MD (June 18, 2004) – The Chesapeake Bay Program and Maryland Department of the Environment are seeking businesses that have voluntarily implemented pollution prevention projects to receive this year’s Businesses for the Bay Excellence Award.

Awards are granted to small, medium and large businesses as well as government facilities. The deadline for nominations is July 12. Awards will be presented at the Businesses for the Bay Annual Meeting on Oct. 14 at the National Wildlife Visitor Center at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel.

Businesses for the Bay is a voluntary program that encourages and recognizes pollution prevention practices at businesses, government facilities, and other organizations located within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. More than 550 organizations throughout the watershed are participating members. Since the program's inception in 1996, program participants throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed have reported the reduction and recycling of 6.4 billion pounds of waste and materials at a savings of $313 million. The wastes ranged from specific chemicals to air emissions and solid waste.

Past Maryland Businesses for the Bay awardees include Atotech USA, DAP Inc., Eaton Aeroquip, Lockheed Martin Corp., Procter & Gamble Cosmetics, National Institutes of Health, Scuderi Auto Body, Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse, Unilever, USDA, Beltsville Area, and Watercolor Lavender Farm.

For more information on the awards criteria and the annual meeting, go to www.b4bay.org or call 1-800-968-7229, ext. 719 for information.

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