| Project Description |
The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) sponsored a series of free workshops in Fall 2000 in environmental compliance and technical assistance for NYC printers, suppliers, printing instructors and students. The program was co-sponsored with the NYS Empire State Development and the NYC Technical College (NYCTC), City University of New York (CUNY), in Vrooklyn, and developed in consultation with the Association of Graphic Communications (AGC), the Flexographic Technical Association (FTA), and the Screenprinting & Graphic Imaging Association International (SGIA). Partnering with the leading trade associations ensured that the workshops would demonstrate the economic benefits of "green" business practices.
The first workshop held on October 24 at NYTC, Brooklyn, covered the topic: "Environmental Compliance: Air Permitting and Free Technical Assistance." The 50 attendees included printers, consultants, students and faculty of the college, and an environmental representative from the Brooklyn Borough President's Office. The AGC and government representatives addressed NYS environmental regulations, NYC permitting requirements, and the free and confidential technical assistance available to businesses that must comply with the federal Clean Air Act. The workshop was the feature article in the November 6 issue of "Printing News," the leading trade journal of the printing industry.
The second workshop, held at the Con Edison Learning Center, Queens, on November 28, covered the topic: "Searching the Internet for Environmental Information." An FTA expert, assisted by an ombudsman of Empire State Development, led the session. They demonstrated the easy access and value of the Internet for online information about federal, state, and city environmental regulations for printers, how the web can provide interactive industry discussion, and emphasized the benefits of accessing the Printers National Environmental Assistance Corporation (PNEAC), which provides comprehensive up-to-the-minute environmental regulatory information. The session also allowed for hands-on instruction on computers.
The third and final workshop was held on December 12 at the AT&T auditorium, Manhattan, with 25 attendees, including 10 print shop owners. The topic was "Hazardous Materials Operations/Communications and Environmental Safety for Workshops and the Public." There were five speakers, three from government, one from AGC, and one printing consultant. NYC's Right-to-Know law was explained and the annual March 1at filing date given; the requirements for small quantity hazardous waste generators were reviewed; the combustability of certain chemicals/operations were specified; and the importance of complying with NYC sewer regulations for silver waste reduction was discussed in detail.
EEDAU sponsored three more workshops in spring 2001 with the same co-sponsors and printing association consultants. |
