Environmental Progress - Autumn 1996

Pollution Prevention Interns Help Companies Save Money and the Environment

 Savings could go as high as $1 million

At Maytag's Herrin plant, a student in the Illinois EPA Office of Pollution Prevention Graduate Internship Program conducted an audit this summer and suggested packaging changes that are expected to eliminate 196,000 pounds of incoming cardboard to the plant and save the washer and dryer manufacturer $82,000 per year.

"The program is managed very well and can lead to excellent pollution prevention accomplishments," said Tim Frields of Maytag Herrin Laundry Products.

At Zenith Electronics Corp. in Melrose Park, another intern found an alternative solvent for cleaning cathode ray tubes that will reduce volatile organic compounds emissions from 23 tons per year to less than two tons per year while saving the company $11,000.

At Continental General Tire Co. in Mount Vernon, another GIP intern this summer suggested shifting from solvent-based marking inks to water-based inks to identify tire treads. It is expected to reduce VOC emissions by 6,900 pounds annually and save $10,000.

At McWhorter Technologies in Chicago Heights, a leading manufacturer of resins, increased recycling of solvents recommended by a GIP intern is expected to result in savings of more than $110,000 annually while reducing disposal of hazardous chemicals.

During the summer of 1995, other companies participating in the program received even more dramatic returns.

At the Jefferson Smurfit Corp. paperboard mill in Alton, a waste audit conducted by a GIP intern recommended changes in a compactor operation that are exptected to realize a cost savings of more than $1 million per year while diverting 5,500 tones of waste paper fiber from landfills.

"The intern worked as an extension to our staff and could dedicate all of his time to solving the needs of the selected environmental projects," said James Bray of Jefferson Smurfit.

With 15 graduate student participants from Illinois universities this year, the Office of Pollution Prevention internship program is in its seventh year.

"This has been one of our most successful pollution prevention programs. It has helped companies save money and reduce waste, while providing graduate students with some important field experience," said Kevin Greene, manager of the Office of Pollution Prevention.

Several firms have been so pleased with the work products of the interns assigned them, they have been repeat participants.

"By using an intern, our company was able to evaluate a new product with potential to reduce air emissions which would have had low priority since there was no apparent benefit to our product. Surprisingly, the intern's evaluation determined not only the desired reduction, but a considerable cost savings to use the new product," commented Keith Perason of Continental General Tire.

"The Program has brought the industries and Illinois EPA closer. This relation helps reduce pollution," said Jian Lin of Motorola.

The students have expertise in engineering, science and occupational health and safety and have helped numerous Illinois companies realize millions of dollars in savings through the students' excellent work.

Savings have included reduced disposal costs, improved process efficiency, conservation of raw materials, reduced energy usage and less pollution from power generation.

The first time a GIP intern is placed with a facility, the Illinois EPA pays a salary at a rate of $2,000 per month with an additional stipend of $400 a month if the intern has to relocate outside his/her immediate area.

If the facility requests additional interns, they must agree to split the cost. The host facility also agrees to provide supervision and workers' compensation coverage for the intern.

Each interested company fills out and submits an application due by Nov. 30 of each year. The Office of Pollution Prevention then requests a brief summary of the company's proposed project objectives.

The program has met its goals of providing fresh perspectives and new ideas in pollution prevention techniques while providing graduate students the opportunity to apply new knowledge and skills in the workplace.