Category: Indiana

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Indiana Businesses Achieve Significant Environmental Reductions Since Joining ESP

[Post author: Wayne Duke]

Hoosier businesses have implemented environmental improvement projects and achieved monumental results as members of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM’s) Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP).

There are 46 ESP business members across the state, each committed to implementing or maintaining measurable environmental improvements, such as reducing water or energy use, decreasing solid or hazardous waste, or reducing air emissions. In an effort to recognize each company’s proven commitment to continual environmental improvement, ESP members recently met with IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly and five assistant commissioners. Continue reading “Indiana Businesses Achieve Significant Environmental Reductions Since Joining ESP”

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Environmental Stewardship Program Members Share 10 Ways to Reduce Costs to Weather Economic Storm

[Post author: Wayne Duke]

Members of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM’s) Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) have made monumental achievements in reducing their environmental impacts while lowering manufacturing costs. To usher in the new year, the members have generated a list of the top 10 ways businesses can save money while minimizing environmental impacts within their manufacturing operations.

  1. Substitute returnable packaging containers for cardboard with repeat customers and internally between operations, reducing the amount and costs associated with solid waste disposal.
  2. Replace solvent-based paint systems with water-borne paint or powder coating systems, eliminating emissions of volatile organic compounds.
  3. Identify and repair process steam and compressed air leaks to reduce energy use and lower energy costs.
  4. Conduct a life-cycle analysis for raw materials and replace high life-cycle cost items with lower environmental impact products.
  5. Share savings reaped from environmental goals with employees and associates to further stimulate, generate, and encourage more ideas and excitement towards environmental initiatives.
  6. Absorb labor costs for recycling by using all employees for very short periods of time rather than using full-time workers solely for recycling activities.
  7. Turn off lighting when not in use and install energy efficient lighting technology, like motion sensors, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL), and light emitting-diodes (LED).
  8. Recycle all materials, including scrap, waste, and extra materials left over from processing.
  9. Ensure your organization has the right level of permit which often can change as you make your operations more environmentally-friendly.
  10. Take advantage of IDEM’s free Pollution Prevention Opportunity Assessments to identify alternative chemicals and improve operational efficiency.

“As an ESP member, our facility has recognized cost savings with the programs we have implemented,” said Darrell Hart of Hendrickson Trailer Suspension Systems.  “Our employees are taking recycling programs home as well as asking for more programs to implement within the facility.”

To become an ESP member, a business must maintain an exemplary compliance record, certify that it has adopted and implemented an approved environmental management system, and commit to specific measures for continued improvement in its environmental performance.

Many of the environmental improvement initiatives also contribute to significant cost savings within the facility.  Members qualify for expedited permit review, flexibility in permitting, reduced reporting frequencies, and coordination of compliance inspections in exchange for going above and beyond environmental requirements. To maintain membership, companies must report on their environmental initiatives every year and reapply for ESP membership every three years.

“Any improved process that can reduce the bottom line while at the same time reducing any impact on the environment is worth considering,” said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. “If they don’t know where to start, I would highly encourage business owners to take advantage of IDEM’s free Pollution Prevention Opportunity Assessment.”

Additional information can be found by visiting www.idem.IN.gov/prevention/esp.

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IDEM to Offer New Pollution Prevention Grant to Help Reduce Toxic Chemical Use

[Post author: Wayne Duke]

To encourage Indiana manufacturers to identify opportunities that can reduce pollution, conserve raw materials and save money, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is offering industry and communities free, confidential pollution prevention opportunity assessments. New to the program is a special impetus to encourage the reduction of toxic chemicals and the opportunity to receive funding for qualifying projects. Continue reading “IDEM to Offer New Pollution Prevention Grant to Help Reduce Toxic Chemical Use”

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Cummins’ Columbus Engine Plant Improves Environmental Performance through IDEM ESP Program

[Post author: Wayne Duke]

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has recognized Cummins Inc.’s Columbus Engine Plant (CEP) as an Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) member for its proactive environmental management achievements in 2008.

Last year, the plant, which assembles heads and blocks for heavy-duty diesel engines, fulfilled its ESP commitment to complete several lighting projects, including replacing 1,931 older, less efficient lights with 50 percent fewer but more energy-efficient lights.  This project saved $158,461 in electricity costs and avoided more than 1,800 metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per year.   To put the energy savings into perspective, the 2.6 gigawatts saved is enough to power 225 average U.S. households for one year.

In addition to the lighting retrofit project, CEP sought alternative methods for the disposal of 500,000 square feet of concrete flooring that was demolished to make way for the construction of a new light-duty diesel engine assembly line.  Instead of putting the material in a landfill, the clean concrete was used to stabilize a heavily-eroded stream bank located near the plant.  More than 870 dump truck loads of material were saved from disposal in the landfill.

“Our obligation as an employer and responsible community citizen is to lead activities like these that improve our environment,” said Dana Vogt, Manufacturing Leader for the Engine Business unit on Cummins Health, Safety and Environmental Council.  “The efforts by the CEP team once again demonstrates the work they do serves as a benchmark not only within Cummins, but for other businesses as well.   And like so many environmental projects, these also have significant economic benefits.

“What is particularly exciting about these efforts and others like them under way in the Company is the opportunity for employee participation,” continued Vogt.  “We not only promote these improvements within our facilities, but encourage our employees to take the skills and ideas and put them into practice at home.  Cummins is proud to be a part of this community and will continue to do our part to make it a great place to live and work.”

Cummins’ Columbus Engine Plant is one of 46 Indiana businesses that are ESP members. ESP is a voluntary environmental performance-based leadership program.  Each ESP member is committed to implementing or maintaining measurable environmental improvements, such as reducing water or energy use, decreasing solid or hazardous waste or reducing air emissions.

To become an ESP member, businesses must maintain an exemplary compliance record, certify that they have adopted and implemented an approved environmental management system and commit to specific measures for continued improvement in their environmental performance.

ESP members qualify for expedited permit review, flexibility in permitting, reduced reporting frequencies, and coordination of compliance inspections.  To maintain ESP membership, companies must report on their environmental initiatives every year and reapply for membership every three years.

“ESP members go beyond environmental requirements that protect Hoosiers and our environment,” said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly.  “Cummins Columbus Engine Plant has shown exemplary performance and strong commitment to continued improvement.  Indiana wins when companies use sound business practices to demonstrate their core value of environmental protection.”

Hoosier businesses can apply for ESP recognition from September 1 through October 31.  For details about the program and an application, visit IDEM’s Web site at www.idem.IN.gov/prevention/esp or contact IDEM at (800) 988-7901.

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Environmental Stewardship Program Members Achieve Significant Environmental Reductions During 2008

[Post author: Wayne Duke]

When businesses engage in activities that result in improvement of their bottom line and a reduction in their carbon footprint, everybody wins.

Members of the Indiana Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) implemented environmental improvement projects during 2008 and in the process, achieved monumental results.  There are 45 ESP business members across the state, each committed to implementing or maintaining measurable environmental improvements, such as reducing water or energy use, decreasing solid or hazardous waste, or reducing air emissions.

ESP members recently reported their 2008 accomplishments to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). During 2008, ESP members implemented pollution prevention initiatives that resulted in the reduction of:

  • Water use by 69,413,000 gallons, an amount comparable to 105 Olympic-sized swimming pools;
  • Electricity use by 10,939,149 kilowatt hours, a number comparable to the amount of electricity needed to run 4,101 residential air conditioners for one year;
  • Miles driven by 243,789 miles, a distance comparable to driving from Terre Haute to Richmond and back 877 times;
  • Natural gas consumption by 8,999 therms, which is like eliminating CO2 emissions from 1,875 propane cylinders used for home barbeques;
  • Carbon dioxide emissions by 13,099,680 pounds, which is the amount of carbon sequestered annually by 1,350 acres of pine forests;
  • Copper discharges to water by 3 pounds;
  • Solid waste sent to the landfill by 18,135,195 pounds, which is equivalent to the weight of about 47 Blue Whales;
  • Volatile organic compound emissions by 820,800 pounds, an amount comparable to emissions from painting the interiors of 34,200 homes;
  • Energy use by 2,325 million British Thermal Units, an amount comparable to the energy needed to operate 7 clothes washers for one year;
  • Material use by 2,463,680 pounds, an amount comparable to the weight of 3,079 Monster truck tires; and,
  • Hazardous waste by 12,790 pounds, an amount comparable to the weight of one Asian elephant.

“ESP members go beyond environmental requirements that protect Hoosiers and our environment,” said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. “Indiana wins when companies use sound business practices to demonstrate their core value of environmental protection.”

To become an ESP member, businesses must maintain an exemplary compliance record, certify that they have adopted and implemented an approved environmental management system, and commit to specific measures for continued improvement in their environmental performance.

ESP members qualify for expedited permit review, flexibility in permitting, reduced reporting frequencies, and coordination of compliance inspections. To maintain ESP membership, companies must report on their environmental initiatives every year and reapply for ESP membership every three years.

Hoosier businesses can submit applications to IDEM for the Environmental Stewardship Program from September 1 through October 31 and April 1 through May 31.  For more details, visit IDEM’s Web site at www.idem.IN.gov/prevention/esp or contact IDEM at (800) 988-7901.

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IDEM, Keramida Conduct Jumpstart © Environmental Management System Assistance Program

[Post author: Wayne Duke]

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) facilitated specialized training sessions with KERAMIDA, Inc., to help businesses and communities around the state “jump start” their environmental management systems. Staff from KERAMIDA provided on-site sessions to 25 manufacturers and two communities, under the Jumpstart© Environmental Management System (EMS) Program. Continue reading “IDEM, Keramida Conduct Jumpstart © Environmental Management System Assistance Program”

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Joint Summer Conference a great experience

[Post author: Bob Iverson]

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our Hoosier hosts for the recent Region 5 & 7 joint conference in Indianapolis. The presentations were interesting, the facilities were comfortable and convenient, and our hosts were friendly and helpful.

Our three day session started off with a training day on how to help make a business green. Laura Barnes from the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center led a training session on ways to save money and improve an organizations environmental performance through green business practices. Then Marcus Rivas from Region 7 presented case studies of work done by the Kansas Green Teams. Several members of the Green teams were able to join us by conference phone.

The next day Rick Bossingham, Assistant Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management welcomed us and gave an overview of where Indiana is heading in the environmental field. Tanya Mottley of the U.S. EPA Office of Pollution Prevention (P2) and Toxics then presented the EPA’s Strategic Plan and welcomed comments from participants. Her presentation lead us into a very interesting roundtable discussion of how traditional P2 activities fit into sustainability efforts.

After lunch, Karen Haley, Director of the Office of Sustainability, then told of the environmental efforts underway in Indianapolis. Denise Coogan with Subaru of Indiana gave a witty and informative presentation on how that carmaker has become a zero landfill company. The day wrapped up with Tony Nesky telling us of the Region 5 Sustainability Network and Phil Kaplan of the EPA discussed some of the results of recent P2 projects in the region.

Since Phil Kaplan is retiring soon, GLRPPR presented him with a “Legacy Tree” which will be planted in his hometown of Highland Park, IL. Phil has been a good steward of the environment and a friend to GLRPPR.

Rick Yoder of P2RIC got things rolling on Friday with a discussion of new web tools that could improve information discovery and collaboration. Greg Hume of TechSolve then presented information on his company’s Green Supplier network and collaboration with the city of Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Michal Kopach then told us of the use of an electronic Lab Notebook for Green science at Indianapolis’ own Eli Lilly Company. Cam Metcalf of the Kentucky P2 Center was the final speaker with a talk on the Seven Steps of an Energy Management Program. For the last portion of the day, we went across the street to the Indiana Government Center to attend a webinar with Natalie Hummel of the U.S. EPA on the new Greenhouse Gas calculator tool.

The conference was held at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indian and Western Art in downtown Indianapolis. It was a fantastic facility. And those of us who went to dinner at a local Greek restaurant were full for days after all of the wonderful food.

Special thanks to Jennifer Schick of IDEM for all of her organizing efforts. She was helped by Bobbi Steiff and others at IDEM. Thank you everyone!!

(You can see pictures of the Joint conference on the GLRPPR Facebook page. If you are not yet a Facebook user, join us.)

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Spotlight: Clean Manufacturing Technology Institute

Continuing our focus on Indiana P2 programs, the Clean Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI), based at Purdue University, provides technical assistance, outreach, education, planning services and research to facilitate the adoption of pollution prevention/clean manufacturing strategies by Indiana manufacturing facilities.

CMTI offers assistance in all manufacturing sectors, but has special expertise in plastics (including fiber reinforced plastic), wood products, metal finishing, metal and plastic coatings, foundries and motor vehicle parts manufacturing.

CMTI co-founded (in 1996), and continues to manage, the Coating Applications Research Laboratory (CARL) on the Purdue campus. The lab allows manufacturers to test state-of-the-art coating and curing technologies under the guidance of CMTI engineers expert in their application. CMTI also offers ISO14001 Environmental Management Systems (EMS) services businesses and government entities. Training and energy efficiency assessments are also provided by CMTI.

Check out the CMTI web site for an archive of Technology Transfer/Pollution Prevention Case Studies. You can also browse the CMTI Clearinghouse Bibliography online.

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Spotlight: Environmental Stewardship Program

Today we continue to highlight Indiana P2 programs as the GLRPPR/Region 7 conference begins in Indianapolis. Modeled upon the now closed U.S. EPA National Environmental Performance Track Program, IDEM’s Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) is a voluntary program that rewards regulated entities for outstanding environmental performance with regulatory flexibility, public recognition and networking opportunities. Participants use environmental management systems (EMS) to achieve their environmental goals.

Any regulated entity in Indiana may participate in ESP regardless of type, size, or complexity. The program website elaborates upon the eligibility requirements. Participant benefits include, among other things, expedited and flexible permits, reduced reporting frequency, reduced recordkeeping and reporting, a press release, use of the program logo, and opportunities for networking. A complete list of incentives is available on the program web site.

According to the program website, applications for ESP are accepted twice a year, from April 1–May 31 and September 1–October 31. See the application process web page or contact the Indiana Department of Environmental Management at (800) 988-7901 for more information.