Become an ESI Member

All members of the ESI must meet the basic criteria of the program:

  • Not be under any environmental criminal indictment or conviction;
  • Demonstrate commitment to compliance;
  • Set environmental performance goals that include pollution prevention and are appropriate to the nature, scale and environmental impact of the organization; and
  • Agree to report annually on progress toward the organization's environmental performance goals, reductions in environmental emissions or discharges of releases, solid and hazardous waste disposal, use of energy and water and any reportable non-compliance events.

For criteria for specific levels and to apply, click the tabs below. 

Select Your Level and Apply

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The DEQ Internal Workgroup coordinates compliance reviews of all applications and recommends Partner applicants for membership directly to DEQ's Secretary.  All Rising Steward and Steward applicants receive an onsite verification visit by an ESI team to verify application information. These applications are reviewed annually in the spring and fall by the ESI Advisory Board. Following review, the Advisory Board then makes recommendations for membership. The final decision is up to the discretion of the DEQ Secretary.

                                           PARTNER APPLICATION 

The Partner level is designed for adoption by a broad range of organizations that are interested in beginning the process of developing a systematic approach to improving their environmental performance. Partners must demonstrate a commitment to maintain compliance, and either commit to establishing an environmental management system or set long-term measurable environmental performance goals.

                             RISING STEWARD APPLICATION

The Rising Steward level is designed for those organizations that have a mature environmental management system (EMS). Rising Environmental Stewards must demonstrate a mature EMS, set measurable environmental performance goals and demonstrate a commitment to go beyond compliance

                                         STEWARD APPLICATION

The Steward level is for those organizations that are already displaying a commitment to exemplary environmental performance beyond what is required by law. Environmental Stewards must demonstrate: a mature EMS; aggressive environmental performance goals; a commitment to meet and go beyond compliance; an EMS that is integrated into the core business functions; and a process of communicating with the local community about program activities and progress toward performance goals

Current ESI Members

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ESI Members Map 

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