West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Wants You To Pick 5

Picking 5 in this case isn't about playing the lottery. It's selecting 5 ways to conserve resources. Here's the press release from the WV DEP:

West Virginia is joining the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency during national Pollution Prevention Week to let every Mountain State resident know they can make an important contribution toward improving the environment.

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Pollution Prevention Program is challenging all state residents to take a “Pollution Solution Challenge” by committing to “Pick 5” things that anyone can do to positively affect the environment and reduce pollution. Pollution Prevention Week is Sept. 21-27.

This challenge is a way to raise awareness about pollution prevention, from business owners to corporate leaders, from students to parents -- it doesn't matter who you are -- we want everyone to make pollution prevention a fabric of their everyday life.

Pollution prevention, also known as P2, means not creating pollution in the first place and focuses on reducing waste at its source, reusing what can't be recycled and recycling what otherwise would be thrown away. P2 also helps to save energy and to prevent the emission of greenhouse gases and water pollutants.

The EPA estimates that each individual generates about 1.5 tons of solid waste per year, which equals about 4.5 pounds per person, per day.

The EPA has created a Web site where people can register for the “Pollution Solution Challenge.” To register, go to www.epa.gov/pick5, then pick five or more ways you plan to reduce pollution. Among items on the list are using less water and electricity; using chemicals safely; recycling electronics; and taking public transportation, walking or carpooling to work or school.
For more information about Pollution Prevention Week, contact Greg Adolfson at: 304-926-0499, ext. 1332, or gregory.e.adolfson@wv.gov.