12.01.2006 - 03:25pm ET

(CSRwire) ABBOTT PARK, IL - December 1, 2006 - Abbott has received the annual Illinois Governor's Pollution Prevention Award for outstanding environmental excellence for the fifth time in the last six years.

The 20th Annual Governor's Pollution Prevention Award recognized businesses and organizations in Illinois that have successfully reduced the generation of gaseous, liquid and solid waste. The projects honored this year prevented hundreds of tons of waste materials from being released into the environment and saved millions of gallons of water from being sent to treatment facilities.

Abbott was specifically recognized for implementing four pollution prevention projects at its global headquarters located in Lake County, Ill., in 2006 that resulted in environmental benefits. These efforts included using a more environmentally friendly product to replace a volatile organic material in a manufacturing process; repairing production lines to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions; reducing waste sent to landfills by providing employees at two Lake County facilities with reusable clothing instead of having them wear disposable apparel; and lowering the amount of purified water used in a manufacturing process for producing pharmaceuticals.

"At Abbott, we believe keeping environmental protection and pollution prevention at the forefront of our manufacturing strategy is good for society and good for business," said John C. Landgraf, president, Global Pharmaceutical Operations, Abbott.

The Illinois Waste Management and Research Center (WMRC), a division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, reviewed the environmental programs, projects and compliance histories of various Illinois companies to determine their eligibility for the award. The WMRC helps businesses and citizens reduce and manage solid wastes released into the air, water and land.

"These organizations are leading the way in finding and using new ways to reduce waste and protect the environment," said Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich. "They have made an ongoing commitment to prevent pollution that, in the long run, will make their employees and our communities better."

Abbott is committed to protecting the environment in the communities where it operates worldwide. In particular, the company focuses its efforts on important initiatives such as Green Chemistry, which seeks to eliminate or reduce toxic substances from manufacturing processes. Abbott also extensively trains its employees on environmental, health and safety efforts, and explores new ways to improve energy efficiency.

Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs 65,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.

Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's Web site at www.abbott.com.