Air Quality workshop library 2023

Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) Handouts

Handout 1 - Overview of NC Department of Environmental Assistance and Customer Services

• Technical Assistance - Handouts 2, 4, 5 & 6,
• Recycling and Material Management - Handout 4,
• Resources and Energy Efficiency - Handout 5,
• Recognition Programs:  NC Environmental Stewardship Initiative (ESI) - Handout 2
  & NC GreenTravel - Handout 3,
• Recycling Outreach Programs (Recycle Guys, Recycle Right NC & Recycle More NC), Handout 4 and
• NCDEQ Regional Office presence, Handout 6

DEACS Overview 

Handout 2 - NC Department of Environmental Quality's Environmental Stewardship Initiative (ESI)

ESI promotes and encourages superior environmental performance in North Carolina. This voluntary program is available at no cost. ESI seeks to reduce the impact on the environment beyond measures required by any permit or rule, producing a better environment, conserving natural resources and resulting in long-term economic benefits. As part of the ESI program, DEACS staff provide technical assistance and advise on strategies to reduce their water and energy usage. ESI members, including businesses and others, are required to institute a performance-based system to achieve their environmental goals

ESI Program Brochure

Handout 3 - North Carolina Green Travel Initiative Version 2

The NC GreenTravel program recognizes tourism-oriented businesses for their accomplishments in environmental stewardship, including energy and water conservation, waste reduction, recycling and other practices that help protect the environment.

Green Travel Brochure

Handout 4 - Recycling and Materials Management

The Recycling and Materials Management Section (RMMS) promotes recycling programs and helps expand recycling infrastructure. RMMS works closely with Waste Reduction partners (WRP) to identify and implement waste reduction and recycling efforts by commercial, institutional and industrial generators providing critical material supply to manufacturers, reducing dependence on landfills and saving natural resources.

RMMS Brochure

Handout 5 - Resource and Energy Efficiency

The Waste Reduction Partners (WRP) team helps organizations (Manufacturers, Businesses, Agriculture, Local governments, K-12 schools & institutions, Non-profits) to improve environmental and energy management through efficiency techniques that save money. The WRP team conducts on-site assessments and provides consulting services to businesses and public facilities throughout North Carolina. Consulting services are confidential and most are provided at no cost to the client. These services are supported through government and utility-sponsored grants

WRP team performs the following onsite assessments

• Energy Efficiency
• Water Use Efficiency
• Soil Waste Reduction Assessments (Zero Waste)
• Agricultural Plastics Recycling

WRP Brochure

Handout 6 - NCDEQ Regional Office Presence

Environmental Assistance Coordinators are closer to our customers in the department’s seven regional offices and can provide on-site consultation and coordinated permit reviews for proposed projects. Their primary responsibility is to assist businesses, industries, local governments, other institutions, consultants and residents as they seek to identify, understand and comply with the state’s environmental requirements.

Environmental Assistance Coordinators Regional Directory