TURI » About Us » News » Press Releases » TURA Program Reveals Winners of...  

TURA Program Reveals Winners of 25th Anniversary Leader Awards

Contact: Karen Angelo, 978-430-6303

January 22, 2015, Lowell, Mass. -- In recognition of environmental and business leadership, the Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) program named nine companies and two small business groups as TURA 25th Anniversary Leaders. The award recognizes companies that have reduced toxic chemical use, created healthier work environments and saved money.

To showcase company accomplishments, state environmental agencies and legislators will visit and tour the companies to honor each for their performance and leadership.

The TURA 25th Anniversary Leaders include:

“These companies highlight that Toxics Use Reduction can be applied to small family-owned businesses to large high-tech corporations,” says Director of the Toxics Use Reduction Institute Michael Ellenbecker. “I congratulate all of these leaders for their forward thinking to attract customers with their greener solutions and create safer work environments.”

A recognition ceremony and site tour at facilities during March and April will showcase areas of accomplishment, including switching to safer materials and conserving energy while saving money.

Massachusetts leads the nation in reducing use, waste and emissions of toxic chemicals

The Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) law of 1989 requires that companies evaluate toxic chemical use, submit usage reports to the state and and assess the the implications of reducing use by making process changes or switching to safer alternatives. Companies choose whether or not they make any changes. Massachusetts companies continue to make progress in reducing toxic chemical use and waste – between 2000 and 2012, they reduced use by 23 percent, waste by 42 percent and on-site releases by 73 percent. Under the updated 2006 TURA law, companies have also conserved energy, materials and water.

 About the Toxics Use Reduction Act Program

Twenty-five years ago, the Massachusetts legislature passed landmark legislation—the Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA). Today, the TURA Program is considered a model environmental policy by other states and countries. The three agencies below have provided training, grants, technical assistance and support to help companies reduce toxic chemical use and costs, improve health and safety and compete globally as more international regulations restrict the use of toxic substances.

  • Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Provides education, training, and grants for Massachusetts industry and communities; sponsors research and demonstration sites on safer materials and technologies; provides policy analysis; and manages the TURA Science Advisory Board.
  • Office of Technical Assistance & Technology (OTA). A non-regulatory agency within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs that provides free, confidential, on-site technical and compliance consultations to Massachusetts businesses and institutions.
  • Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). Certifies Toxics Use Reduction (TUR) Planners, receives and reviews toxics use reports submitted by companies, provides guidance, takes enforcement actions, and collects chemical use data and makes it available to the public.