PPRC Projects
Current Projects:
Spray Painting Efficiency Training
The Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) developed the Spray Technique Analysis and Research (STAR®) program in 1994. The STAR® program is dedicated to improving the overall efficiency of manual spray coating operations by enhancing the techniques of spray technicians around the country. 12 years of study have shown STAR training to reduce paint overspray and improve transfer efficiency by an average of 25%.
In January of 2008, USEPA’s Area Source Rules for Surface Coating became law as part of the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). The new NESHAP standards require all painters that spray apply coatings to receive training in techniques that minimize paint overspray.
Ken Grimm, PPRC's Industry Outreach Lead, has completed the Iowa Waste Reduction Center's Train-the-Trainer course in addition to his nearly 20 years of industrial and automotive paint experience. Ken is promoting and providing STAR/NESHAP training to technical and community colleges as well as commercial autobody shops. Current colleges training students using the STAR techniques include Renton Technical College, South Seattle Community College and Spokane Community College, Bellingham Technical College, Lake Washington Technical College, Columbia Basin College, Walla Walla Community College, Bates Technical College and the Wenatchee Skills Center.
If your business or technical training program wants to have this educational opportunity provided to you, please contact the Project Manager below.
Contact: Ken Grimm
(kgrimm@pprc.org)
www.pprc.org/star/
By-Product Synergy Northwest Network
Following the industrial ecology program model developed by the U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Development, PPRC, in conjunction with NBIS, is coordinating a network of organizations working together to identify opportunies to exchange waste products. A waste or by-product of one company can be used by another company as a lower cost, locally available feedstock. This creative process sometimes promotes discovery of new market opportunities and new product development. It also may reduce costs and risks associated with wastes. The motto is "turn waste into profit"!
Contact: Debra Taevs
(dtaevs@pprc.org)
pprc.org/synergy/
Medicine Return Program in Washington State
The pilot phase of this project (2006-2008)provided convenient, secure and environmentally responsible collection and disposal for expired/unwanted household pharmaceuticals, including over-the-counter and prescription medicines. National awards and publicity have been hallmarks of this trailblazing effort by a coalition of government, non-profit, and business representatives. A total of 40 pilot collection locations in Washington State retail pharmacies (Bartell's), clinical pharmacies (Group Health Cooperative) and boarding (assisted living) homes have collected and safely disposed of over 15,000 pounds of unused household medicines between 2006-2008. Next steps for the project include continuing collection services through a post-pilot (interim) phase, and working to create a long-term statewide medicine return program.
The objectives of this project are:
* Reduce potentially damaging environmental and health impacts of current disposal practices;
* Avoid accidental poisonings, illegal diversion, and drug abuse;
* Demonstrate the potential for an on-going program by documenting patient need, program feasibility and patient satisfaction; and
* Demonstrate a product stewardship model involving retailers and (eventually) manufacturers, serving as a model for the state and the rest of the country.
Contact: Cathy Buller
(cbuller@pprc.org)
www.medicinereturn.com
PPRC's Lean and Green Service
The Pollution Prevention Resource Center (PPRC) is promoting improved environmental operations via lean manufacturing activities. PPRC is providing assistance to the WA, OR and ID MEPs (Manufacturing Extension Partnerships) to identify environmental opportunities that are synergistic and complementary to lean. PPRC will also work towards becoming a networking/referral "hub" for lean and environment for lean service providers and lean experts in the Northwest region.
Contact: Michelle Gaither
(mgaither@pprc.org)
www.pprc.org/solutions/leangreen.cfm
Brown Grease
Brown grease contains in the neighborhood of 12,000 Btus per pound. Preliminary research shows that almost without exception, Pacific Northwest brown grease remains an untapped resource. Yellow grease (fryer grease) in contrast is now used in many locations by biodiesel manufacturers. According to one estimate, the quantity of brown grease per capita is twice to three times that of yellow grease.
This project began as a Rapid Research Request. When research revealed the intriguing possibilities behind brown grease, PPRC received a small amount of funding to hold a stakeholder meeting in the Portland area and draft a Roadmap for brown grease to be used productively as a feedstock for biofuels in the Northwest.
In Seattle, we are working with Julie Howell from the City of Seattle-SPU on a brown grease Symposium.
Contact: Debra Taevs
(dtaevs@pprc.org)
www.pprc.org
Eco-Logical Business Program
PPRC is participating in Oregon’s Eco-Logical Business Program; performing outreach to businesses in the automotive services industry. This certification program promotes best management practices for air quality, water quality, solid and hazardous waste management.
In addition to recognizing automotive service facilities that have implemented best management practices, the Eco-Logical Business Program acts as a free information resource to any automotive service facility interested in improving and/or learning about the environmental impacts of their operations.
Contact: Debra Taevs
(dtaevs@pprc.org)
www.ecobiz.org/automain.htm
Past Projects:
Northwest Fluorescent Lamp Recycling Project
PPRC is leading an effort to educate hospitals, lighting contractors and commercial property managers about proper disposal of spent fluorescent lamps. We will also be working with large industrial suppliers to identify ways to have them provide information to customers and help facilitate the proper disposal of lamps.
Contact: Christine Guiao
(cguiao@pprc.org)
National Park Service Green Procurement Project
Provide consult to the NPS' Environmental Management Program on incorporating and implementing more comprehensive environmental procurement practices service-wide. The project also included development of an Environmental Procurement Handbook applicable to all NPS parks and regional offices.
Contact: Eun-Sook Goidel
(esgoidel@pprc.org)
P2 Marketing Brochure
PPRC developed a P2 marketing brochure, targeted to businesses, to help increase awareness of the benefits of pollution prevention and increase use of PPRC's services. The brochure is complete, and now available online. It discusses P2's contributions to worker safety, cutting costs, business competitiveness, and the bottom line.
Contact: Crispin Stutzman
(cstutzman@pprc.org)
www.pprc.org/pubs/p2pays.pdf
Paper Forum
Many public sector organizations are working to lower the life cycle
impacts of their office (copier and printer) paper consumption.
Strategies they are using include: 1) reducing paper use, 2) purchasing
environmentally preferable (EP) paper, and 3) optimizing reuse and
recycling of copier paper.
More organizations might wish to buy EP paper but can not do so because
of its higher price. By leveraging their buying power, organizations could
potentially increase the availability and lower the price of EP paper.
If you are a public sector purchaser or end-user of copier paper, or are
involved with the supply of EP paper, join us at the Paper Forum to
discuss how best to stimulate the market for high post-consumer,
processed chlorine-free copier paper in the Northwest.
Contact: Crispin Stutzman
(cstutzman@pprc.org)
www.pprc.org
Priority Chemicals and Supply Chain Management
PPRC has long posited that working to influence Original Equipment Manufacturer's (OEM) supply chains is a very strategic opportunity to advance P2 throughout industry. PPRC's work started with the development of an on-line resource, Supply Chain Management for Environmental Improvement:
Greening the Supply Chain,(www.pprc.org/pubs/grnchain) and has moved into developing tools for OEMs to act as a technical assistance provider for their suppliers and vendors.
PPRC also realizes a need to address priority chemicals determined by states and federal authorities.
PPRC will try to merge activities for reducing and/or eliminating priority chemicals identified in EPA's National Waste Minimization Plan and the northwest states's chemical action committees with OEMs promotion of chemical reduction/elimination through their supplier network.
Through this project, PPRC will identify priority chemicals (targeted by federal, state and local agencies) that are currently being used in product manufacturing or food production. Once we have identified a core set of priority chemicals or substances then we will: 1) Compile a list of products that use the priority chemicals and a subsequent list of alternatives; 2) Document the primary northwest-based OEMs and affected suppliers; and 3) Determine if, how, and what Greening Supply Chain strategies (bans, reformulation, mentoring, technical assistance) can be strategic for OEMs to promote the elimination or reduction of the chemicals/substances throughout their supply chains.
PPRC also will select one priority chemical and one product category where this chemical is persistent and develop an action plan for OEMs to interact with their customer/supplier network to eliminate or reduce the use of the chemical or substance. For example, fire retardants in furniture.
Overall, government agency technical assistance providers will benefit from this research as they will have a tool to help them prioritize sector outreach, understand how to communicate environmental performance throughout a supply chain and have alternative products and technologies to suggest to eliminate or reduce priority chemicals.
Contact: Michelle Gaither
(mgaither@pprc.org)
Conductivity Controls in Water Use Applications
Prepared a technology profile on point-of-use water monitoring for rinse tanks, boilers and cooling towers, that yield data useful for improving water use efficiency and reducing water related wastes.
Contact: Michelle Gaither
(mgaither@pprc.org)
Product Stewardship Topic Hub and factsheet
PPRC will develop a Product Stewardship Topic Hub to support the work of P2 Technical Assistance Providers, offering them useful tools and techniques that will help them guide the businesses with whom they work. PPRC will also develop a brief factsheet targeted towards manufacturers.
Contact: Christine Guiao
(cguiao@pprc.org)
Recycled Paint Marketing for the Northwest
Evaluation of supplies and markets for reprocessed, recycled content paint in the Northwest/Puget Sound Region, and development of action items and strategies to establish a viable market for producers and buyers.
Contact: Michelle Gaither
(mgaither@pprc.org)
Washington State Solar Mortgage
In 2005, Washington State's government passed new incentives to encourage installation of renewable energy equipment. In conjunction with federal incentives and rising energy costs, the payback period for renewable energy systems is shorter than ever.
This project will explore the feasibility of allowing a homebuyer to add the cost of installing solar equipment into a home mortgage.
Contact: Crispin Stutzman
(cstutzman@pprc.org)
2007 Western P2 Conference
The Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center (PPRC) and the Western Regional Pollution Prevention Network (WRPPN) are working together to organize the 2007 Western U.S. Pollution Prevention Conference.
This unique, collaborative effort between Regions 9 and 10 will be held on October 23-25, 2007 at the Bahia Hotel in San Diego, California. This conference will highlight the traditions of both Region 9 and Region 10's roundtables: timely, practical information that the P2 technical assistance provider can use immediately, as well as a strong focus on issues of concern to local governments. The meeting will offer ample networking time and a scenic location. Breakout sessions will be held on historic sternwheeler boats moored by the hotel.
Contact: Christine Guiao
(cguiao@pprc.org)
pprc.org/networking/rrt.cfm
2007 Northwest P2 Webinar Series
PPRC is hosting a series of 3 webinars in 2007 on the following topics: Measurement Tool Training, Integrating Lean and P2: WDOE's Lean and Environment Project; and Pharmaceuticals Take-back in Washington State. These webinars are designed to inform and educate the Northwest P2 audience of emerging issues in a timely and convenient format. For more information go to: www.pprc.org/2007webinars.cfm
Contact: Christine Guiao
(cguiao@pprc.org)
www.pprc.org/2007webinars.cfm
2008 West Coast P2 Webinar Series
This year PPRC, in association with WSPPN, will be putting on a number of informative webinars for P2 professionals on a variety of topics including Safer Alternatives in Dry Cleaning, Opportunities in Lean and Green, Green Chemistry, Chemical Inventory System Options and more!
Contact: Chloe Birnel
(cbirnel@pprc.org)
www.pprc.org/webinars
Pacific Northwest P2 Roundtable
This year's Pacific Northwest P2 Regional Roundtable will focus on identifying and quantifying the activities/processes that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions in business practices. The first day is comprised of technical trainings and the second day will include site visits for practical application of the previous day's training.
Contact: Chloe Birnel
(cbirnel@pprc.org)
www.pprc.org/roundtable
Washington Lean and Environment Project
The Washington Department of Ecology and the state's MEP, Washington Manufacturing Services, partnered under a grant from the US EPA, to jointly deliver lean and environmental assistance to Washington State manufacturers. Three pilot projects with three manufacturers are complete, while additional projects are being identified. PPRC and Ross & Associates Environmental Consulting are providing strategic support and project documentation.
Contact: Michelle Gaither
(mgaither@pprc.org)
Environmental Purchasing Rapid Research
Many organizations, cities, counties, states and the federal government are in the process of developing internal procedures to incorporate EPP criteria into their purchasing decisions. This research takes staff time. PPRC is pleased to be able to assist with the process by offering the EPP Rapid Research Service. EPP Rapid Research Service is provided by PPRC and is funded by an EPA grant. PPRC will provide up to 5 hours of research into the environmental aspects of a specific purchasing question. The web page includes a list of previous questions and responses, as well as instructions about how to ask your own environmental purchasing question.
Contact: Debra Taevs
(office@pprc.org)
pprc.org/research/epp/
PaperCuts Green Office Fair
PPRC is assisting in putting on the "PaperCuts Green Office Fair", an expansion of the 2007 PaperCuts Forum. The goal of this event is to provide Washington and Oregon agencies and companies with the tools to conserve resources in the office while increasing efficiency.
Contact: Debra Taevs
(dtaevs@pprc.org)
www.pprc.org/greenofficefair/
PPRC's Rapid Response Service
PPRC conducts free "rapid response" research for government agency technical assistance providers in the Northwest. This PPRC service seeks to answer an environmental question, or at a minimum, find sufficient leads, contacts and resources to help the requester find the desired information. The service may include consultation with engineers, a host of listserv resources, technical experts, and on-line or library searches. The web page includes a list of previous questions PPRC has answered. (Note: if you are outside of the Pacific Northwest, visit the National P2Rx" Rapid Response page for this service - a link is available from the page listed below.)
Contact: Michelle Gaither
(mgaither@pprc.org)
pprc.org/research/rapidres.cfm
Climate Change Topic Hub
Climate change is currently being addressed by many states, cities, agencies and businesses throughout the United States. There are many ways to address climate change and many ways to reduce a carbon footprint, but the first step is to do a greenhouse gas inventory and create a baseline to use as a standard against which all future efforts are measured.
The Climate Change Topic Hub will be a resource for technical assistance providers, as well as others, to help business, industry and government complete a greenhouse gas inventory and create that necessary baseline. The topic hub will designed to provide both simple and complex calculators as well as other information needed.
The hub will also look at reduction opportunities, including offsets, as well as available tax incentives and subsidies. For more information, direct inquiries to the Project Manager below.
Contact: Ken Grimm
(kgrimm@pprc.org)
OR EcoBiz Certification Project- Auto Body Sector
Partnering with Clean Water Services, Oregon DEQ and the City of Portland, PPRC is providing outreach and technical assistance to the auto body sector. The Oregon Technical Lead will assist shops in becoming certified using the ecological business certification model, EcoBiz that was developed by the Portland Pollution Prevention group. This certification will insure that shops meet the new federal air regulation, as well as developing additional good business practices to improve efficiency, safety and environmental performance.
Contact: Debra Taevs
(dtaevs@pprc.org)
News Services (What's New in P2 & RSS Newsfeed)
PPRC monitors news wires and regional sources for information about pollution prevention news and new resources of interest to the technical assistance community. New stories are added virtually every day. These are published on pprc.org, and also are made available as a RSS feed, for subscribers. In addition, PPRC publishes this content every month in a free email bulletin called "What's New in P2."
Contact: Jonathan Stumpf
(jstumpf@pprc.org)
www.pprc.org/news
Washington Hospital / Health Care Sector Outreach
PPRC will help the Washington Department of Ecology (WDOE) implement its “Hospital Sector Plan” by assisting with WDOE’s outreach to Washington’s hospital/health care sector, and developing/providing tools and services that allow WDOE to move hospitals from an area of sector-specific focus into the mainstream of service delivery.
Contact: Cathy Buller
(cbuller@pprc.org)
Snohomish County Take-Back
PPRC is helping Snohomish County, Washington assess and support the success of county-wide take-back programs for mercury-containing devices and electronic products.
Mercury-containing device tasks include identifying Snohomish County (SnoCo) auto wrecking yards participating in the End of Life Vehicle Solutions (ELVS) mercury switch recovery program, and documenting the number of mercury switches collected and amount of mercury returned. PPRC will also contact SnoCo heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) contractors and wholesalers who do or could participate in the national mercury thermostat recovery program, and document the number of mercury thermostats collected and amount of mercury returned.
Electronic product return efforts will help existing and potential new SnoCo private or non-profit take-back locations and private sector curbside collection services register as e-waste collectors and be included in Washington’s manufacturer-provided e-waste recycling program. PPRC will also identify private locations in SnoCo accepting a broad range of unwanted electronic products.
Contact: Cathy Buller
(cbuller@pprc.org)
P2 Planning
This report discusses three systems available to business today: lean manufacturing, quality management, and systems tools. It examines potential ways an EMS or P2 Plan can integrate with these systems to make pollution prevention (and sustainability) part of every company’s effort to improve efficiency and reduce operational expenses. A comparative table of these systems relative to an EMS is shown in Appendix A.
The report also discusses incentives, mentoring, and quantitative measures that may also offer more comprehensive P2 Planning or EMS effectiveness.
Contact: Ken Grimm
(kgrimm@pprc.org)
www.pprc.org/about/next gen p2-EMS integration3.pdf