How to Become an ESI Member

How to Apply

Member Criteria

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

  • Have a facility or site with physical location in the state of North Carolina;
  • 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.

ESI has 3 levels of participation with differing criteria. To see each levels specific criteria and to apply, click the tabs below. 

Select Your Level and Apply

Tab/Accordion Items

Environmental Stewardship Initiative Partner logo.

The Environmental 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.

To be considered at the Partner level, the applicant must meet the following:

  1. Demonstrate a commitment to compliance. 
  2. Set environmental performance goals that include pollution prevention and are appropriate to the nature, scale, and environmental impact of the organization. 
  3. Not be under any environmental criminal indictment or conviction. 
  4. Agree to report annually on progress toward the organization’s environmental performance goals, reductions in environmental emissions and/or discharges, and any reportable noncompliance events. 

ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNER APPLICATION 

Environmental Stewardship Initiative Rising Steward logo.

The Rising Environmental Steward level is designed for those organizations that have a mature environmental management system (EMS). 

Rising Environmental Steward applicants must meet all Partner criteria and the following:

  1. Set measurable environmental performance goals that are adopted into the framework of the EMS, include pollution prevention and/or process efficiency improvement activities. 
  2. Demonstrate a mature EMS based on the ISO 14001 or a functionally equivalent model. The EMS for the site must be ISO 14001 third-party certified or be reviewed and deemed functionally equivalent by DEQ staff
  3. Demonstrate commitment to meet and go beyond                                                            compliance. 

 RISING ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARD APPLICATION

Environmental Stewardship Initiative Steward logo.

The Environmental Steward level is for those organizations that are already displaying a commitment to exemplary environmental performance beyond what is required by law. 

Environmental Steward Applicants must meet all Partner and Rising Steward criteria plus the following:

  1. Set aggressive environmental performance goals. 
  2. Have a process for communication with the local community on program activities and progress toward performance goals. 
  3. Demonstrate how their EMS is integrated into core business functions. 
  4. Agree to mentor other ESI members if requested.

  ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARD APPLICATION

Application Process 

Environmental Partner Application Process

  1. Submit application.
  2. The DEQ Internal Workgroup conducts compliance reviews and makes initial recommendations each quarter.
  3. Final approval is granted by the DEQ Secretary.
  4. Acceptance letters sent to facility.

Rising Environmental Steward and Environmental Steward Application Process

All ESI applicants undergo the Environmental Partner application review process and enter the program at the Environmental Partner level. After being admitted as a Environmental Partner, Rising Environmental Steward and Environmental Steward applications undergo another review process:

  1. The ESI team will conduct an onsite verification visit.
  2. The ESI Advisory Board will review applications and verification visit report at the biannual meetings.
  3. The ESI Advisory Board will make recommendations, with final approval granted by the DEQ Secretary.

Current ESI Members

Tab/Accordion Items

ESI Members Map 

View larger map

ESI membership does not imply that an organization is certified by DEQ as a "green" company, or that its operations do not have impacts on the environment. The ESI program seeks to assist facilities in reducing their environmental impacts, conserving natural resources and realizing long term economic benefits.

Off