ADEQ: Arizona Department of Environmental Quality AZ.gov, Arizona's Official Web Site
Our mission is to protect and enhance public health and the environment
Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Recognition Levels

Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Recognition Levels

Tier I
Tier II
<
Tier III
Tier IV
Project Recognition
Recognition Level
Bronze
Silver (Superior Compliance History+)
+ No violation(s) in past 3 years and while a member
Gold
(Superior Compliance History)
Platinum
(Superior Compliance History)
Copper
Target Organizations
For regulated facilities making a demonstrated effort to comply with environmental regulations For organizations making an ongoing effort towards improving their environmental footprint by finding ways to prevent pollution and to conserve natural resources For organizations willing to develop and maintain an environmental management system (EMS) that is consistent with the ISO 14001 standard For organizations with a fully implemented environmental management system (EMS) For partnerships and collaborations, or regulated facilities that have completed a project that resulted in measurable improvements to the environment
Minimum Requirements
No environmental violations discovered during the past 3 years and while a member Demonstrate past improvements in at least 1 of the following areas; and commit to measure continued improvement in the same or an additional area each year

Upstream

1. Material Procurement
2. Suppliers' Environmental Performance

Input

3. Material Use
4. Water Conservation
5. Energy Conservation
6. Land Use

Non-Product Output

7. Air Emissions
8. Discharges to Water
9. Waste Generation/Management
10. Noise
11. Vibration

Downstream

12. Products
13. Recycling (4R's)

1. Demonstrate past improvements in at least 1 of the areas listed under Silver; and commit to measure continued improvement in the same or an additional area each year

2. Commit to develop an environmental management system (EMS) that is consistent with the ISO 14001 standard within 3 years

1. Demonstrate past improvements in at least 1 of the areas listed under Silver; and commit to measure continued improvement in the same or an additional area each year

2. Implement an environmental management system (EMS) that is consistent with the ISO 14001 standard

3. Complete one full EMS cycle; including an annual audit

4. Community Outreach, which should include a process for:
(a) Identifying and responding to community concerns
(b) Informing the community of important matters that affect it
(c) Reporting on the facility's EMS and performance commitments

Complete a project that resulted in a measureable improvement in at least 1 of the following areas:

Upstream

1. Material Procurement
2. Suppliers' Environmental Performance

Input

3. Material Use
4. Water Conservation
5. Energy Conservation
6. Land Use

Non-Product Output

7. Air Emissions
8. Discharges to Water
9. Waste Generation/Management
10. Noise
11. Vibration

Downstream

12. Products
13. Recycling (4R's)

Compliance Screen
Review for environmental violations within the past 3 years Review for environmental violations within the past 3 years, for Superior Compliance History distinction Review for environmental violations within the past 3 years, for Superior Compliance History distinction Review for environmental violations within the past 3 years, for Superior Compliance History distinction N/A
Compliance Screen Cont.
Criminal Activity (No conviction or plea for environmentally-related violations of criminal law in 5 years for the facility) Criminal Activity (No conviction or plea for environmentally-related violations of criminal law in 5 years for the facility) Criminal Activity (No conviction or plea for environmentally-related violations of criminal law in 5 years for the facility) Criminal Activity (No conviction or plea for environmentally-related violations of criminal law in 5 years for the facility) Criminal Activity (No conviction or plea for environmentally-related violations of criminal law in 5 years for the facility)
Administrative/Civil Activity No violations discovered within the past 3 years or while a member Administrative/Civil Activity A "Superior Compliance History" designation will be added to a facility's recognition if no violations discovered within the past 3 years or while a member Administrative/Civil Activity A "Superior Compliance History" designation will be added to a facility's recognition if no violations discovered within the past 3 years or while a member Administrative/Civil Activity A "Superior Compliance History" designation will be added to a facility's recognition if no violations discovered within the past 3 years or while a member  
Benefits/Incentives
1. Bronze level Certificate of Recognition

2. Listing on ADEQ web-page

3. Annual VES Conference

1. Silver level Certificate of Recognition

2. Listing on ADEQ web-page

3. Annual VES Conference

4. Applicants may request additional benefits from a list of options; ADEQ will award additional benefits based on commitments to continuous improvement made

1. Gold level Certificate of Recognition

2. Listing on ADEQ web-page

3. Annual VES Conference

4. Applicants may request additional benefits from a list of options; ADEQ will award benefits additional based on commitments to continuous improvement made

1. Platinum level Certificate of Recognition

2. Listing on ADEQ web-page

3. Annual VES Conference

4. Applicants may request additional benefits from a list of options; ADEQ will award additional benefits based on commitments to continuous improvement made

1. Copper level Certificate of Recognition

2. Listing on ADEQ web-page

3. Annual VES Conference

Verification Method
1. Self-certification by senior manager at the facility 1. Electronic submittals of applicable documentation to ADEQ

2. Photos documenting initiatives implemented

3. Self-certification by senior manager at the facility

1. Consistent with Silver Level 1. Consistent with Gold Level

2. Independent EMS assessment
a. Not directly employed by the facility
b. Did not play a substantive role in developing the EMS
c. Performed by an ISO 14001 Lead Auditor or equivalent certification
1. Electronic submittals of applicable documentation to ADEQ

2. Photos documenting initiatives implemented

3. Self-certification by senior manager at the facility

Annual Report
(Due on April 1 of each year, beginning with the April 1st following the year in which a member is accepted into the program, and annually thereafter)
1. Self-certification by senior manager at the facility that no violations were discovered during the previous year 1. Quantify success achieved in the implementation of environmental initiatives implemented

2. Provide a discussion on any enforcement action initiated against the facility and how the violation was resolved

3. Self-certification by senior manager at the facility that no violations were discovered during the previous year, to maintain Superior Compliance History designation

1. Report on progress made on commitments

2. Report on progress towards developing and/or maintaining an EMS

3. Quantify success achieved in the implementation of environmental initiatives implemented

4. Provide a discussion on any enforcement action initiated against the facility and how the violation was resolved

5. Self-certification by senior manager at the facility that no violations were discovered during the previous year, to maintain Superior Compliance History (SCH) designation

1. A summary of the facility's EMS assessment activities and progress towards meeting EMS objectives and targets, including brief descriptions of audits conducted and improvements made

2. A brief report on progress made in meeting the facility's environmental performance commitments

3. A summary of the facility's public outreach activities

4. Quantify success achieved in the implementation of environmental initiatives implemented

5. Provide a discussion on any enforcement action initiated against the facility and how the violation was resolved

6. Self-certification by senior manager at the facility that no violations were discovered during the previous year, to maintain SCH designation

No annual reporting requirement