The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Environmental Stewardship Initiative (ESI) is a voluntary, no-cost program that is designed to promote and encourage superior environmental performance in North Carolina. Through technical assistance from DEQ and a collaborative network of like-minded professionals, members minimize their environmental impacts beyond legal and regulatory requirements resulting in pollution prevention and natural resources conservation while often delivering tangible cost savings.
To support and encourage superior environmental performance, ESI provides:
- No-cost technical assistance, including strategies to conserve water, reduce energy usage, and minimize waste.
- ISO 14001 trainings and personalized Environmental Management System (EMS) assistance.
- Networking opportunities with members to learn innovative solutions, share best practices, and showcase member successes.
Click the buttons below to learn more about the ESI program and how to become a member.
Program Data 2002-2024
Cost Savings
Gallons of Water Saved
Fewer Tons of Waste
Tons of Recycled Material Collected
Btus of Energy Saved
Metric Tons of GHG Emissions Reduced
The ESI reporting cycle requires members to provide data from the previous year.
ESI 20th Anniversary Storymap
Click the image above to view the ESI 20th Anniversary story map using the ARCGIS platform. The project celebrates program and member achievements and allows viewers to explore ESI membership at 5-year intervals, learn about the five original ESI members that still are still active after 20 years , highlights member success stories, and shares member testimonials on the value of program membership.