Business News
Source: Winchester Daily
October 05, 2004

WINCHESTER - When it comes to reducing commercial waste and protecting the environment, one local manufacturer shines bright.

GE Consumer & Industrial's Winchester Lamp plant was recognized Tuesday by the Environmental Protection Agency for its long-standing efforts to reduce the quality of lead in its operations.

The facility, which produces almost half a billion incandescent light bulbs a year, is the first site in the region to enroll in the EPA's voluntary National Partnership for Environmental Priorities.

The program, launched in August 2003, challenges manufacturing industries to reduce the presence of 31 "priority" chemicals in their processes, including lead, mercury and PCBs, by 10 percent by 2008. These toxic agents contaminate land, air and water, and can have a detrimental effect on the health of plants and animals. The goal is to sign up 50 companies nationwide this year, according to Maria Vickers, deputy director of the EPA's Office of Solid Waste in Washington. The Winchester plant is the fourth in the GE family to enter into the agreement.

"The GE Winchester Lamp Plant has taken steps to go above and beyond environmental compliance," Vickers said during an afternoon ceremony in the plant's cafeteria. "You are committed to finding new and innovative ways to reduce pollution while still making a great product and earning a profit. That's no small effort."

"Today we recognize the spirit and drive of this team and its commitment not to settle for former achievements," plant manager Wilbert Whitfield said.

As a partner with the EPA, the facility is committed to substituting lead-based solder with a tin-copper-based cement. The switch will reduce the quantity of lead byproduct by 50 percent, or approximately 100,000 pounds.

Whitfield said that process should be complete by the end of the year.

"We will always strive to be a good corporate citizen," he said, "and to preserve the beauty and health of this historic community."

The Winchester facility has long participated in voluntary programs to reduce environmental pollution. It was first certified under the Occupational Health and Safety Administration's volunteer Protection Program in 1996. Between December 1999 and 2000, the plant successfully reduced nearly 410,000 pounds of lead and increased its recycling of leaded glass from zero to 357,000 pounds over the same period.

Whitfield said the workers deserve the credit for initiating this most recent effort.

"We have an active safety committee," he said. "It was a very inclusive process."

Ron Phillips, an air compliance manager with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality in Harrisonburg, said he hopes Tuesday's announcement will set a precedent for other manufacturers in the valley.

"It's much easier to work with an industry to prevent a problem than it is to try and manage it later," Phillips said.

The festivities included a cake decorated with a giant light bulb and the message, "We got the lead out. Let's celebrate."