Having spent two years with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), I have continued to see how the work of the Office of Pollution Prevention (OPP) advances the agency’s mission to protect and enhance the environment of Virginia. DEQ is responsible for administering laws and regulations related to air quality, water quality, water supply, renewable energy, and land protection. OPP’s programs go beyond these regulatory requirements and demonstrate how DEQ can partner with our customers and encourage proactive environmental strategies. Pollution prevention (P2) strategies focus on eliminating or reducing the use, generation, or release of environmental wastes at their source, which can lead to reduced environmental footprints while enhancing bottom lines.

OPP coordinates incentive programs and assistance, as well as internal programs that allow DEQ to lead by example. A few of the program’s accomplishments from 2023 are:

• Hosting two regional workshops to share pollution prevention best practices, provide regulatory updates, and support participants of environmental programs with networking opportunities.

• Launching a successful series of educational webinars for the tourism industry through the Virginia Green Travel program.

• Supporting Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Order 17 (EO 17), “Recognizing the Value of Recycling and Waste Reduction," by working with other agencies to draft reports on reducing food waste and encouraging the use of post-consumer recycled content materials.

OPP will continue to work to protect Virginia’s natural resources through programs that benefit businesses, institutions, communities, and our citizens. With the support of Governor Youngkin, OPP looks forward to continuing to promote programs that divert waste from landfills and increase recycling efforts, especially those included in EO 17.

Michael Rolband
Director, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality