The Ohio EPA’s goal is to protect the environment and public health by ensuring compliance with environmental laws and demonstrating leadership in environmental stewardship. They offer several programs to help Ohio small business comply with regulations.
The Office of Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention (OCAPP) provides free and confidential onsite environmental assistance to help businesses understand and comply with environmental requirements. Any business in Ohio can receive free and confidential compliance and pollution prevention assistance.
OCAPP is an independent, non-regulatory office within Ohio EPA, and information obtained by the office is not subject to public records requests and is not shared with inspection or enforcement staff.
Under Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 3745.017, OCAPP provides assistance to regulated entities to help them achieve compliance and implement sustainable environmental practices. Generally, the law requires that information obtained by OCAPP be kept as confidential. This means that information is not shared with Agency inspection or enforcement programs and it cannot be used in an enforcement action. There are, however, some exceptions to the confidentiality provisions. Information is not considered confidential if:
- The information reveals a clear and immediate danger to the environment and to the health, safety or welfare of the public.
- The information was obtained independently by the director or the director’s authorized representative as a part of a compliance inspection, records review, investigation or enforcement proceeding.
- The information is prohibited from being held confidential or business trade secret by the federal Clean Air Act as defined in ORC Section 3704.01 or the Federal Water Pollution Control Act as defined in ORC Section 6111.01, or other applicable federal law.
- The information is otherwise required by state or federal law to be disclosed publicly or made available to a government agency.
Many resources are available including:
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A toll-free confidential hotline (800) 329-7518 staffed 8-5 Monday through Friday with environmental specialists who can answer compliance questions;
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Confidential help with Ohio EPA paperwork and permit applications;
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Industry-specific compliance information, written in plain English; and
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Confidential on-site assessment to help identify ways to achieve and maintain compliance with environmental requirements.
Additionally, Ohio EPA’s Encouraging Environmental Excellence (E3) Program recognizes an organization’s exceptional achievements in environmental stewardship. Any business, industry, trade association, professional organization or local government of Ohio can be recognized for their commitment to environmental excellence.
“The E3 program recognizes organizations that have embraced sustainable practices and help improve Ohio’s environment while building our economy,” said Laurie A. Stevenson, Director, Ohio EPA.
There are several levels a participating organization can achieve: EPA Enviro Excellence
The Ohio EPA also offers the Materials Marketplace, a free online materials and waste exchange. The Materials Marketplace allows businesses and organizations to connect and find reuse and recycling solutions for waste and by-product materials.
Members of the marketplace can:
- Post needed and available materials for reuse/recycling
- Communicate with other users through an interactive messaging system
- Save money through substitution of raw material feedstocks or by avoiding landfill fees
- Achieve Zero Waste Goals while participating in Ohio’s emerging Circular Economy
“In the first two years of operation, more than 1,000 members used the Ohio Materials Marketplace to divert nearly 3.7 million pounds of material from Ohio landfills. We’re excited to see what the future holds as the marketplace continues to grow,” said Laurie A. Stevenson, Director
Get more information or join today at ohio.materialsmarketplace.org
