25 Years Preventing Pollution: A Retrospective Report

Introduction

The Pollution Prevention (P2) Act, passed 25 years ago, represented a paradigm shift in our nation’s approach to solving pollution problems. In clear terms, the Act called for industry, government, and the public to look upstream in manufacturing processes – to prevent sources of pollution rather than use end-of-pipe reduction or clean-up strategies. To contextualize the Act within a larger history of pollution prevention, this report seeks to answer a few questions: Where did the conceptual shift from control to prevention come from? What has been the Act’s impact or legacy? And what’s next?

Contents The Roots of Pollution Prevention • The Roots of Pollution Prevention . . . 1-4 In the 1960s and 70s, Americans became increasingly • Pollution Prevention Timeline . . . 3 aware of the ways pollution was destroying the country’s air, water, and land. A series of landmark • The Act’s Legacy: Success Stories From environmental statutes – including the Clean Water Act, Programs Around the Country . . . 4 -14 the Clean Air Act, and the Resource Conservation and > Toxics Use Reduction Recovery Act (RCRA) - helped stem frightening tides Institute (TURI) . . . 5 of pollution. Because of the urgency of the problem, these acts were reactive; in practice, they focused on > New York State Pollution controlling pollution, and often on one media at a Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) Partners in time. Such attempts at control, and the limits of these Pollution Prevention . . . 6 attempts, spawned the concept of pollution prevention. > Program of the University of Nebraska- Lincoln (P3 UNL) ... 7 Both businesses and governments increasingly > Kansas State University Pollution recognized the costliness of achieving and ensuring Prevention Institute (K-State PPI) . . . 8 compliance. At the same time, a handful of innovators > Virginia Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP) . . . 9 strategy. The company 3M, for example, began a > PennTAP . . . 10 Pollutionshined lights Prevention on the efficiency Pays Program of prevention (3P) in 1975. as a Over > Kentucky Pollution Prevention the last 40 years, 3M estimates that the program has Center (KPPC) . . . 11 saved nearly $1.9 billion dollars. Other early adopters > Kentucky EXCEL . . . 12 of the philosophy, like North Carolina’s Pollution > Iowa Department of Natural Resources Prevention Pays Program, demonstrated its economic (IDNR) Pollution Prevention Services . . 13 > Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Saved businesses money; Resource Center . . . 14 and environmentalReduced the throughput benefits. Such of raw programs: materials; and • Reduced both worker risks and the risks to • What’s Next? Looking Back • environmental and public health. to Look Ahead . . . 15 •

1 Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center www.pprc.org Roots of P2 The Act Itself The undeniable success of both private SEC. 6602. FINDINGS AND POLICY. and state prevention programs facilitated a national embrace of two goals previously seen (a) FINDINGS— as incompatible: environmental quality and economoic productivity. A series of 1980s (1) The United States of America annually federal reports on waste reduction – both from Theproduces Congress millions finds of that: tons of pollution and spends tens of billions of dollars per year controlling this the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – pollution. therecognized Office of how Technology those two Assessment goals could (OTA) be, and and should be, accomplished together. A 1987 OTA to reduce or prevent pollution at the source report, for example, stated, “[This] study shows (2)through There cost-effective are significant changes opportunities in production, for industry how the competitiveness of American industry operation, and raw materials use. Such changes and environmental protection can be improved offer industry substantial savings in reduced raw by devoting more resources to waste reduction material, pollution control, and liability costs as and thus quickly reducing the costs of pollution well as help protect the environment and reduce control.” risks to worker health and safety. (3) The opportunities for source reduction are The Pollution Prevention Act went one step often not realized because existing regulations, and the industrial resources they require for of the waste management pyramid. The only compliance, focus upon treatment and disposal, further;strategy itbetter placed than prevention reduction, firmly the Act at the suggests, top rather than source reduction; existing regulations do not emphasize multi-media management of Public Policy Statement, EPA Administrator Carol pollution; and businesses need information and isBrowner to prevent explained waste inthe the shift first toward place. valuingIn a 1993 technical assistance to overcome institutional prevention: barriers to the adoption of source reduction “When EPA was created in the early practices. (4) Source reduction is fundamentally different controlling and cleaning up the most and more desirable than waste management and 1970’s,immediate our problems. work had toThose focus efforts first on have pollution control. The Environmental Protection yielded major reductions in pollution in Agency needs to address the historical lack of which we should all take pride. Over time, attention to source reduction. however, we have learned that traditional ‘end-of-pipe’ approaches not only can be source reduction, the Environmental Protection expensive and less than fully effective, but (5)Agency As a mustfirst step establish in preventing a source pollutionreduction through program sometimes transfer pollution from one which collects and disseminates information, medium to another ... Pollution prevention has the exciting potential for both protecting implements the other activities provided for in this the environment and strengthening providessubtitle. financial assistance to States, and

manufacturing and raw material use.” (b) POLICY. — economic growth through more efficient The Congress hereby declares it to be the national Instead of commanding reductions, the Pollution policy of the United States that pollution should Prevention Act aimed to help businesses assess be prevented or reduced at the source whenever their own pollution problems and be active feasible; pollution that cannot be prevented participants in solving problems. As Madeline should be recycled in an environmentally safe Sten, the founding executive director of the manner, whenever feasible; pollution that cannot be prevented or recycled should be treated in an Center (PPRC) said, “The concept of pollution environmentally safe manner whenever feasible; Pacificprevention Northwest took businesses Pollution Preventionout of the position Resource and disposal or other release into the environment of being victimized and put them into position of should be employed only as a last resort and being problem solvers.” should be conducted in an environmentally safe manner. Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center www.pprc.org 2 Pollution Prevention Timeline

*Many acts and programs not listed

3 Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center www.pprc.org The Act’s Legacy: P2 Success Stories from Around the Country

The Pollution Prevention Act lacked the regulatory teeth to force businesses toward cleaner processes and products. But by stipulating a new approach to pollution, the act helped establish the roots of more cooperative and multimedia approaches to Image courtesy EPA solving problems. Throughout the country, state opportunities, in implementing changes that had positiveand local environmental governments investedand economic in finding impacts. win-win The Congress hereby declares it to be “ Those investments have succeeded in many the national policy of the United States different ways. In addition to producing results that pollution should be prevented or - pounds of air pollutants avoided or watts of reduced at the source whenever feasible.” energy saved - those investments have perhaps more importantly helped change the culture of - Pollution Prevention Act, 1990 businesses and institutions throughout the country.

The Pollution Prevention Act promoted investment Jim Jones, the current Assistant Administrator for in non-regulatory ways to improve source control - to harmonize environmental protection with Prevention, describes this cultural shift. “In economic growth. Around the country, state 1990,the EPA’s the OfficePollution of Chemical Prevention Safety Act andtasked Pollution EPA governments with establishing a grant program to teach and universities state and local governments and businesses created cooperative and innovative Jones said. “Over time, businesses, colleges, technical assistance andabout even the sports benefits teams of pollution have realized prevention,” that programs to help with pollution prevention they can achieve businesses become their corporate objectives and help save more sustainable. the environment, all while improving their Such programs bottom lines. From clean energy initiatives took many forms: to programs that promote the uses of intern programs; safer chemicals, pollution prevention or technology transfer sustainability is now part of the fabric of and development institutions around the world.” centers; performance This report aims to provide a sampling of tracking programs; the types of successful organizations and and resource programs that the act helped establish. We centers. Their hope that sharing a variety of success stories actions and will show the variety of impacts that pollution successes are prevention programs have had, and can still detailed in the following section of line, by preventing toxic waste or exposures, this report. orhave by –educating whether byyoung improving professionals. a firm’s These bottom programs have the power to change cultures. Photo courtesy Iowa DNR 4 Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center www.pprc.org Technical Assistance Program Toxics Use Reduction Institute - University of Massachusetts Lowell by Felice Kincannon

Reductions: Columbia eliminated the use of 147,000 gallons per day of process water and no longer generates 130,000 gallons per day of wastewater from the new plating processes. All wastewater is recovered as de-ionized water and used in the rinse baths. As for the plating chemistry, The Program approximately 98% of the nickel and chromic acid plating chemistry is recovered from the rinse water and reused. Since installation in 2001, Columbia started out as a bicycle manufacturing company, has saved $3,000,000 in water and sewer fees, butColumbia has transitioned Manufacturing into theInc., second-largest in Westfield, MA, $3,850,000 in nickel purchase and usage, and manufacturer of school furniture in the nation. $800,000 in chrome purchase and usage. The school furniture manufactured at Columbia is made from tubular steel Economics: Columbia that is bent and welded into various spent nearly $4 million for the new closed-loop then completed with the attachment waste treatment system ofconfigurations, the seat or desktop. cleaned, plated, and – including installation, infrastructure upgrade, and other environmental Assistance and Technology (OTA), an upgrades. Additional agencyWorking of with the Toxicsthe Office Use ofReduction Technical Act (TURA) program, Columbia used evaporative cooling a facility-wide approach to modernize towersgas-fired were boilers required, and and expand its nickel-chrome plating yet the overall return line. on investment on the Photo courtesy TURI and Columbia CASTion system was How It Worked Manufacturing Inc. less than two years. Since 2008, Columbia The company sought systems that could expand reduced its thermal energy cost by nearly $500,000 production capacity while reducing water use, annually with other energy saving initiatives. chemical and labor costs, and the generation of hazardous waste and wastewater. The company Why It Worked decided on a special racking system, which has Columbia had technical assistance from OTA and, with a Napco automated nickel-chrome plating line importantly, the desire to create dramatic change andgone a through CASTion several zero-discharge modifications, resource combined recovery and support both from management and shop system. This new line tripled the company’s plating capacity and minimized waste generation. throughout the planning and implementation stages.floor employees who collaborated in this effort

For more information, contact Rich Bizzozero at OTA, [email protected], or Liz Harriman at TURI, [email protected]. 5 Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center www.pprc.org Technical Assistance & Development Program New York State Pollution Prevention Institute by Kathleen Kosciolek & Jennifer Brake

The Program For the Finger Lakes Food Processing Cluster Initiative, NYSP2I collaborated with the Center for Founded in 2008, the New York State Pollution Integrated Manufacturing Studies at RIT to win one Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) is a statewide technology development, transfer, and assistance nationwide. The EDA-funded component helped food center whose mission is to make the state more processingof the first federaland agricultural Jobs Accelerator businesses grants identify awarded and environmentally sustainable for businesses, workers, implement technical improvements and sustainable manufacturing processes to reduce operating costs, materials, energy and water, and reductions in toxic minimize environmental impacts, open market chemicaland the public use, emissions through more and wasteefficient generation. use of raw opportunities, start new businesses, and retain and NYSP2I offers seven programs ranging from direct grow jobs. A total of 28 projects were completed technical assistance to industry to community grants. providing companies with process assessments, Looking back, two initiatives stand out as particularly green technology accelerator and sustainable supply impactful: the Community Grants Program (CGP) and chain assistance. Organic waste research conducted the Finger Lakes Food Processing Cluster Initiative. by graduate students resulted in two new organic waste tools. Through the DOL-funded component, How They Worked 322 NYS workers have so far received training for career advancement in the industry. Plans for a broader and deeper Sustainable Food Systems to community organizations and local government Initiative are now underway. agenciesThe CGP providesfor projects financial that raise and awarenesstechnical assistance and implement P2 practices at the local level. To date, the CGP has supported 64 projects, with grants Why They Worked totaling more than $850,000. These grants have resulted in over 500,000 people trained in P2 NYSP2I’s mission is broad and our reach is wide, strategies statewide. One of the organizations funded covering a state with a population of nearly 20 through the program – Pratt Center for Community million people and over 47,000 square miles. Thus, Development in Brooklyn, NY – received funding partnership and collaboration have played big for an outreach initiative to educate community- roles in our success. NYSP2I is led by Rochester based organizations and businesses to engage Institute of Technology (RIT) and is a partnership homeowners to undertake pollution-reducing, between RIT, Clarkson University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University at Buffalo and the aspects of an energy audit in layman’s terms. This 10 NYS designated NIST Manufacturing Extension energy-efficiency retrofits and explain the technical Partnerships (MEPs). NYSP2I also collaborates with ambitious program to dramatically increase the a multitude of trade organizations, municipalities, effort was part of the broader Retrofit NYC, an public institutions, community groups and others. low and moderate-income communities to: reduce Not only do partnerships create exponential reach, pollutionnumber of and residential carbon emissions; energy efficiency lower energy retrofits bills; in localized partners have an innate understanding of and promote sustainable behavior. The CGP-funded the needs, challenges and strengths of their particular training contributed to Pratt’s ability to perform area. Therefore, assistance can be targeted to have hundreds of home audits and served more than 500 a greater impact. Partnerships also enable us to homeowners directly, while distributing thousands of draw upon a diverse pool of experts to identify and informational packets. develop solutions for industry and often leverage complementary programs to achieve results. The NYS Pollution Prevention Institute is primarily funded by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. For more information, go to www.rit.edu/affiliate/nysp2i Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center www.pprc.org 6 Intern Program

Partners in Pollution Prevention Program University of Nebraska-Lincoln by Dr. Bruce Dvorak

A crucial component of the program is the analysis of motivations and barriers to waste reduction. Based on interviews and surveys conducted with 93 past clients, the program reported that nearly 50 percent of all recommendations made by students were implemented. The information revealed that the motivation for implementing sustainability The Program

The Partners in Pollution Prevention (P3) program commitmentinitiatives was to a waste/resource combination of financial,reduction social, being of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) important.and environmental Barriers benefits,to implementation with corporate were has impacted Nebraska businesses since 1997. Administered by the University of Nebraska capital investment. Extension and College of Engineering, the program primarily financial, particularly other priorities for provides P2 assistance to Nebraska businesses The greatest impact of the P3 program is the and valuable experience for student interns who potential contribution student interns will make as conduct process evaluations, make waste reduction they join the workforce. A comparison of the results recommendations, and facilitate improvements. of a survey published in 2011 in an ASCE Education

How It Works exist between past P3 interns and a control group inJournal terms showed of implementation statistically ofsignificant source reduction differences on From 1997-2014, approximately 650 clients based the job (73 vs. 51 percent), even when the data was in 89 Nebraska communities participated in the controlled for the individual’s environmental ethic. program—averting 303 million pounds of solid It was also found that past P3 interns were 20 to 30 percent more likely to report large quantities of million therms in energy use and more than 1,810 solid and/or hazardous waste to their employer. millionwaste from gallons landfills, in water reducing use. The more initiatives than 263 resulted in a cumulative potential savings of $21.8 million. Why It Works

Interns are competent; they get to the heart of the changes that need to be made, and they provide employee capacity to chase down the details of P2 improvements.

The P3 program has made a measurable difference to the bottom line for many Nebraska businesses. Today, the program continues to help businesses reduce waste as it prepares young people to provide leadership in implementing source reduction and sustainability in their future Photo courtesy Iowa DNR professional careers. Learn more about the Partners in Pollution Prevention (P3) program at www.engineering.unl.edu

7 Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center www.pprc.org Intern Program Pollution Prevention Institute Kansas State University by Nancy Larson, David Carter, & Jean Waters

As evidence of the program’s success, Larson points to long-term changes throughout the years which are achieved by companies such as Precision Pattern and Cobalt Boats. Both companies have worked with K-State PPI off and on since 1995. Their P2 projects have not only saved money on material purchases and waste disposal costs, but The Program also on maintenance and energy, all while reducing emissions of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), Kansas State University’s Pollution Prevention hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), and hazardous Institute (K-State PPI) has its roots in Hazardous wastes. Waste Minimization programs from the late 1980s but has evolved to focus on source reduction. Why It Works Nancy Larson, director of K-State PPI says, “We’ve come a long way, Baby, but we still have work to Relationships between K-State PPI and the do. We learn new things every day as we continue companies are vital to the program’s success. David to identify process, technology, and material Carter, coordinator of the P2 Intern program, said, “The training and on-going support we provide to the interns, plus working with the companies to be Theefficiencies K-State forPPI our undergraduate clients.” student internship program has been an effective tool for spreading keys to success.” the source reduction sure we have a good P2 project identified are also message to businesses Carter also suggests through direct technical that success depends assistance. on continuing the P2 momentum that the How It Works program starts. “P2 is like an Environmental As of 2014, there have Management System,” been more than 67 intern Carter said. “There’s projects at 39 companies. no one solution. More than 66 million kWh It’s a continuous of electricity, 530,000 improvement process. therms of natural gas, 270 The P2 message needs million gallons of water, to still get out even 16 thousand tons of waste, though we’ve been and $10.6 million have talking about it for 25 been saved. Ten companies years, because there’s have used interns over multiple years. Photo courtesy K-State PPI always work to do.”

For more information about Kansas State’s Intern Program, as well as other pollution prevention initiatives, visit www.sbeap.org.

Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center www.pprc.org 8 Performance Tracking & Recognition Program Virginia Environmental Excellence Program by Keith Boisvert

Staff uses information from annual reporting and other site visits to help facilities identify pollution prevention opportunities. The multi-tier design of the program helps to drive improvement and the

The Program permit fee discounts, help with recruitment, and benefits of the program, such as: public recognition, For the past 15 years The Virginia Department of Inthe 2014 opportunity the 400-plus for regulatory facilities participatingflexibility. in the Prevention (OPP) has administered the Virginia program submitted annual reports that showed the Environmental ExcellenceQuality (DEQ) Program Office (VEEP). of Pollution following environmental improvement totals: VEEP is a multi-tiered voluntary environmental Recycled Water Use: Increased by 97,741, 468 program that recognizes and rewards facilities and gallons projects that are actively going beyond regulatory • Water Use: Reduced by 566,083, 852 gallons compliance and reducing their environmental Total Energy Use: Reduced by 1,291,647 footprint. • MMBTUs • Hazardous Waste Disposed: Reduced by The program was developed in collaboration 187,216 tons with the regulated community and aims to drive • Non- hazardous Waste Disposed: Reduced by improved environmental performance through 1,461,505.6 tons the application of Environmental Management • Systems (EMS) and pollution prevention. Ultimately Participating facilities also reported savings of over the goal is to move facilities and projects toward $41 million through pollution prevention, recycling environmental sustainability.

How It Works and energy efficiency efforts in 2014. Why It Works Participating facilities report annually on environmental The program’s success commitments and share can be attributed to its explanations of their pollution collaborative nature. prevention successes. This Participants are not only allows the OPP to stay members but stakeholders. abreast of current pollution Both the DEQ and the prevention methods and regulated community have a disseminate the information commitment to a common to other facilities. OPP goal of environmental staff conducts pollution improvement by voluntarily prevention site assessments Photo courtesy VEEP going beyond compliance at participating facilities and through the application of projects in the program. pollution prevention. For more info about VEEP go to www.deq.virginia.gov

9 Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center www.pprc.org Intern Program PennTAP Pennsylvania State University Engineering by Roger Lee Price

Since 2009, more than 40 engineering students have been engaged with PennTAP for a total of more than 14,300 student hours to conduct 144 industrial pollution prevention and energy

include manufacturers of chemical, food, glass, The Program medical,efficiency metal, assessments. plastic, powdered Industry sectors metal, woodassessed and ceramic products, electronics, hospitals, industrial machine manufacturing, transportation equipment, technical assistance programs, PennTAP is a and printing. resourceEstablished organization in 1965 as within one of Pennthe nation’s State University first that provides technical assistance to Pennsylvania’s manufacturers, business and industry. Penn State following: University engineering students work alongside VerifiedSaving results almost of $1,650,000/yearthese assessments in include energy the& PennTAP senior engineers performing pollution waste management costs. • Reducing water consumption by more than industrial manufacturing facilities. 27,000,000 gallons/year. prevention and energy efficiency assessments for • Saving more than 26,000,000 kWh/year in How It Works electricity consumption (equivalent to the • annual energy use of 2,900 households). Reducing their greenhouse gas emissions by and data analysis through work on real-world almost 50,000 metric tons of carbon equivalent engineeringThis program projects. exposes Students students identify to field wastetesting • (MTCE) per year (equivalent to removing 9,000 reduction and energy conservation opportunities cars from the highway). while learning to embrace a proactive and economically responsible Why It Works conservation ethic. The program Let the students explain. One student emphasizes the says: “Working with PennTAP allowed importance of me to see in person the challenges interpersonal and responsibilities that engineers oral and written face in the work place … I had a blast. communication I learned a ton!” skills in engineering. Another says: “The one-on-one consulting experiences with clients

lasting impression that will follow me Photo courtesy PennTAP throughoutand hands-on my field career.” work made a

For more information about PennTAP, go to penntap.psu.edu 10 Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center www.pprc.org Technical Assistance Program Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center by Ken O’Hara

How It Works

In consultation with KPPC, the company’s award- winning efforts resulted in reduced water and natural gas consumption, improved wastewater treatment operations, better management of The Program process chemicals, lowered air emissions and

The Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center (KPPC), rise from 1,450 units in 2009 to 5,662 units in a state-mandated technical assistance resource 2012significant – a 390 cost percent savings. increase, Denyo sawwhile its lowering production its center, was established in 1994 and is part of the waste and improving the overall environmental J.B. Speed School of Engineering at the University performance of the facility. of Louisville. From the beginning, the Center has been active in the evolution of P2. Cam Metcalf, a P2 pioneer and Executive Director of KPPC from Why It Works 1994 to 2013, led the Center as it developed a comprehensive approach to client engagement. Through working with a variety of clients, KPPC That approach incorporates elements of EPA’s realized that P2 initiatives work best when they Seven Steps process to move clients from “reactive” become an integral part of an organization’s culture activities to “proactive” strategies. and its business strategy. Successful programs require support from top level management and One of KPPC’s most engaged and successful commitment from everyone within an organization. clients is Denyo Manufacturing in Danville, Kentucky. Denyo is a medium-sized company that As Plant Manager Joey Harris stated, “Working with manufactures diesel engine-driven generators. The company of environmental sustainability. has put in KPPC helped us ‘catchPrior the to fever’working about with the KPPC, benefits we place well- had no baseline to identify waste developed or measure the cost to manage pollution that waste. You catch the fever prevention when you see real, measurable and energy improvements.” programs Denyo is one of more than 800 thatefficiency include Kentucky organizations that a high level KPPC has helped over the past of employee 20 years by reducing waste at involvement. its source, improving Kentucky’s environment, and saving its clients more than $30 million. Image courtesy KPPC

For more information about KPPC, Kentucky’s Resource Center for Environmental Sustainability, visit kppc.org.

Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center www.pprc.org 11 Volunteer & Recognition Program Kentucky EXCEL Program by John Eisminger

With the success of its recycling program, Heaven Hill Brands has increased efforts to reduce its environmental impact. On Sept. 13, 2013, Heaven Hill upgraded its KY EXCEL membership level to Leader, a designation that requires the facility to

annually. Since becoming a KY EXCEL Leader The Program member,perform threeHeaven environmentally Hill Brands installed beneficial an outdoor projects recycling center for employees to bring their KY EXCEL is Kentucky’s environmental recyclables from home because there is no curbside leadership program in which members perform recycling in Nelson County.

Heaven Hill Brands, an independent family-owned distilleryenvironmentally in Bardstown, beneficial KY, projectsjoined KY each EXCEL year. as a Why It Worked year of membership, Heaven Hill staff worked Initially, there was resistance to the recycling program, withPartner KY memberEXCEL staff in May to develop of 2010. an During environmental the first but with continued support from upper management management plan (EMP). and rewards for increased recycling, the program has dramatically expanded, and employees are on the How It Worked lookout for new things to recycle.

The EMP highlighted areas in which the distillery The recycling program has provided some income could improve and reduce its environmental for Heaven Hill Brands. With this money, employees impact. The distillery decided to focus efforts on are rewarded for their recycling efforts, and other environmentally beneficial projects at the distillery have been made possible. Whenrecycling Heaven measures Hill began identified in the EMP. its recycling project, Heaven Hill Brands has approximately 12 tons of agreed to mentor others in recyclables were collected setting up recycling programs, per year. Recycling is including locating vendors to take recyclables. In 2014, of the culture at Heaven Heaven Hill Brands was Hillnow Brands. a significant The facility part awarded the Department for recycled over 700 tons in Environmental Protection’s 2014! Environmental Pacesetter Award for its efforts.

Photo courtesy KY EXCEL

For more information about the KY EXCEL Program, please visit dca.ky.gov/kyexcel

Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center www.pprc.org 12 Intern Program Iowa Department of Natural Resources by Jeff Fiagle & Jean Waters

The results in terms of money saved and reduction in environmental impact were highly successful and participating businesses have been enthusiastic. “We could not be more pleased with the outcome of the project,” Tonya Burgess, of The Program Sivyer Steel Corporation, said of one intern. “She far exceeded the objectives by her diligent efforts. This The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is a great program and I’m thrilled we were able to has offered Pollution Prevention Services ever participate.” since the P2 Act became law in 1990. IDNR began by providing technical resources and information As of 2014, the IDNR P2 intern program documented more than $75.2 million in savings and assistance from staff engineers. By 2001, for Iowa companies— through water conservation whenspecific it becameto the unique apparent processes that companies of each industry needed (1.44 billion gallons of water saved), reduction in implementation support as well as information, the solid waste (138 tons), and hazardous waste (1.53 IDNR developed the P2 Intern program. million gallons and 1,130 tons). More than 363 million kWh and 9.20 million therms have been How It Works saved.

The intern, a knowledgeable engineering student mentored by P2 engineers, provides the company Why It Works with the extra hands needed to research and implement source reduction projects. At the end of Interns bring resources and expertise unavailable the summer program, the intern delivers a report at the companies, plus they provide the manpower which can serve as a roadmap for implementing for implementation. Although the IDNR is a more projects. IDNR has found that about 50- 60 percent of all interns’ recommendations are implemented within three years. relationship.regulatory agency, Because the of P2 such services trust, are companies confidential, achieveallowing a for reduction a mutually in the trusting environmental and beneficial footprint beyond that which would be required by

useful matrix of case summaries IDNR has garnered regulation. Companies can also benefit from a very name and project type. from years of field work and organized by company

Photo courtesy Iowa DNR

To learn more about the IDNR P2 intern program go to www.iowap2interns.com

Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center www.pprc.org 13 Technical Assistance Program Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center & Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership by Michelle Gaither & Ken Grimm

Collaborators expanded the scope of the value stream map beyond conventional lean process mapping to incorporate material, energy, and water inputs and outputs. Collectively,

The Program and environmental improvements. Among other improvements,participants identified Woodfold: numerous potential lean

Resource Center (PPRC) and Oregon Manufacturing from 15.9% to 19.7% and for primer from ExtensionIn 2007, the Partnership Pacific Northwest (OMEP) Pollution partnered Prevention in a • Increased paint transfer efficiency for lacquer lean and environment pilot project with Woodfold reduced the company’s annual output of volatile Mfg., Inc. in Forest Grove, Oregon. Woodfold organic39.6% to compounds 42.4%. Improved by 968 transferpounds. efficiency manufactures a custom line of wood products, including specialty doors and shutters. The primary diverting about 1,000 pounds per month of objectives of this collaboration were to: • Found a local recycler for flexible PVC scrap,

integrating environmental considerations into companysolid PVC 2,600waste gallonsfrom the of landfill. water per year. • leanEvaluate practices, the benefits and, and synergies of • ImprovedNew flush waterand purge use reduced water methods the use savedof the evaporators and saved 120,000 kwh per year. and environmental performance at Woodfold. • Gained yearly cost savings of an estimated • Improve product quality, production efficiency, $44,832. How It Worked • Why It Worked Woodfold is well-versed in lean manufacturing. Numerous lean and environmental procedures In addition to Woodfold’s willingness to implement were already in place prior to this effort. However, change, this project worked because of the Woodfold had not previously combined lean and collaboration of experts involved. Examining environmental considerations into one project. environmental wastes in conjunction with lean The primary focus for this evaluation was the activities helped the team identify opportunities shutter painting line, which involves spray priming, that may not have been considered in a traditional sanding, and lean project. spray painting. OMEP provided Kevin Emerick, Environmental Health & Safety lean guidance Manager with Woodfold, emphasized the value of for value stream onsite trainings. “This pilot project would never mapping have produced this level of savings had we not (VSM) of this been able to have PPRC’s expert staff onsite for process line, this hands on event,” Emerick said. “I see more while Woodfold and more agencies relying heavily on the internet staff and PPRC as a resource and the go to tool for reaching their provided customers. While the internet is a great resource environmental to share information there has to be hands on input to the VSM. outreach to help kick start the learning.”

Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center www.pprc.org 14 Looking Back to Look Ahead References

As pollution prevention has been integrated into 1. Browner, Carol. Pollution Prevention Takes business practices, its ideas have been swallowed Center Stage. EPA Journal. Retrieved from http:// by larger concepts, namely sustainability. www2.epa.gov/aboutepa/pollution-prevention- According to Google’s nGrams tool, use of the term takes-center-stage pollution prevention appears to have peaked in the mid-1990s and has been declining ever since. 2. Environmental Protection Agency. Pollution The term sustainability, meanwhile, has been on Prevention webpage. Retrieved from http://www2. a torrid increase – with no end in sight. While epa.gov/p2 overshadowed by more marketable and positive terms, however, pollution prevention remains a crucial aspect of any forward-thinking business’s of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. EPA. sustainability strategy and goals. Personal3. Jones, Jim. Communication, Assistant Administrator September, for2015. the Office

Mike Kelley, who has worked with the Ohio 4. Kelley, Mike. Ohio Environmental Protection

Compliance and Pollution Prevention since 1988, Prevention. EPA. Personal Communication, seesEnvironmental further adoption Protection as the Agency main hurdleOffice of for future September,Agency Office 2015. of Compliance and Pollution pollution prevention success. “The challenge for us is to try to bridge the gap between the CEO and 5. National Pollution Prevention Roundtable. the janitor,” Kelley said. “How does a preventative (2003). An Ounce of Pollution Prevention is philosophy become totally engrained, where it Worth Over 167 Billion Pounds of Cure: A Decade makes sense day in and day out, and where that of Pollution Prevention Results, 1990 - 2000. way of doing things doesn’t fall apart when one Retrieved from http://www.sehn.org/tccpdf/ person leaves a business?” In other words, how pollution%20prevention%20cost%20effective.pdf can government and businesses work together to motivate a culture of innovation and continuous improvement?” Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center. Personal6. Sten, Madeline. Communication, Former ExecutiveJuly 2015. Director, Pacific In this way, new pollution prevention challenges are the same as the old ones. But as businesses 7. Waters, Jean. Pollution Prevention Regional enact low-hanging solutions, improvement Information Center. Personal Communication, September 2015. deeper cultural shifts, cooperation, innovation, and, crucially,becomes moregood information.difficult. Improvement requires

Jean Waters, with the Pollution Prevention Regional Information Center (P2RIC), notes that, “For informationbusinesses the about problem technical has shiftedsolutions, from behavior finding change,information implementation, about technical communication solutions to finding and measurement. Changes need to be accomplished with further resources. It’s just another reason to save the most money by using the strategy – P2 – Right from the Start.”

15 Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center www.pprc.org