April 2023 KS E-Tips

Kansas E-Tips

PPI News and Events

If you have environmental compliance questions, call 1-800-578-8898 or email us.

Apply now for a free circuit rider intern

Would you like to improve your bottom line and reduce your environmental footprint?

Does your company have one or two processes that could be improved?

Could these improvements involve a process, material or technology change that could result in cost and emission reductions?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, a circuit rider intern might be a good fit for you. PPI is currently accepting applications from companies that could benefit from a brief intern assessment. Assessments may involve reviewing projects focused on hazardous materials reduction, water or energy conservation, sustainable material management (SMM), or waste diversion. Our trained engineering interns can work with you on one or two projects to identify cost and environmental impacts that are documented in a short report.

This year, PPI is offering two types of circuit rider interns:

A pollution prevention (P2) intern will focus on projects related to source reduction such as water and energy conservation, and hazardous material reductions
An SMM intern will focus on projects related to reducing, reusing, and/or recycling solid waste.

Interested companies should apply today. Circuit rider interns are offered at no cost to the company, and space is limited to 6-8 companies for each type of intern.

Apply for a P2 circuit rider intern >

Apply for an SMM circuit rider intern >

Open burning

April means open burning season. However, with this practice comes consideration of important health effects, safety practices, environmental impacts and burn restrictions.

In Kansas, the open burning of industrial wastes is generally prohibited. If you are an industry with a permit to open burn, please refer to the KDHE April Burning Restrictions FAQ. If you plan to burn during April, please check with your local authorities and familiarize yourself with the information available at ksfire.org before initiating any such activity.

Sixteen Kansas counties are under a burn ban for the month of April, including: Sedgwick, Butler, Cowley, Chase, Chautauqua, Elk, Geary, Greenwood, Johnson, Lyon, Marion, Morris, Pottawatomie, Riley, Wabaunsee and Wyandotte .

If you have questions about open burning, please contact your, county office, local law enforcement, fire authority, KDHE District Office in your area or the KDHE Bureau of Air in Topeka at 785-296-1551. You can apply for approval of open burning operation here.

Watch our new P2 in Under 2 video series

Need some inspiration for P2 projects? Watch these short videos for ideas to jumpstart your P2 efforts. Subjects include data monitoring, powder coating, painter training, solvent reclamation and inventory control.

Watch P2 in Under 2 >

HABs 'Who to call?' list

Harmful algal blooms, or HABs, are dense growths of algae with the potential for creating toxins that cause a risk to human and animal health. Children and pets are most at risk while engaging in recreation in the water. Adults with compromised immune systems are also more susceptible to illness from exposure.

PPI has put together a ‘Who to call?’ list of contact information that can be helpful if you come into contact with HABs at your local, private water body.

Learn more about HABs >

Apply now for a 2023 P2 Recognition Award

Pollution Prevention Recognition Awards are given to a company or companies that have implemented pollution prevention projects and/or process improvements at their facilities. This only includes projects that were implemented between Jan. 1, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2022.

The application period for the 2023 P2 Recognition Awards opened April 3, 2023, and closes May 19, 2023.

Learn more about P2 Recognition Awards >

Grandview Cabinetry presented with 2022 P2 Recognition Award

Grandview Cabinetry in Parsons was recently recognized with an EPA Region 7 2022 Pollution Prevention Award for their solvent and water conservation practices.

The company implemented a solvent-recovery system that repurposes the solvent used while finishing cabinets to clean factory equipment. The system is estimated to save 1,000 gallons of solvent; 1,400 gallons of water; 3.3 tons of volatile organic compounds; and over $15,000 per year.

Congrats Grandview Cabinetry!

Food waste prevention playbook

This playbook features case studies from five of our southeast Kansas partners that worked on projects to educate students and communities about food waste, food waste prevention and strategies to reduce organic waste in Kansas landfills.

It is a great resource if you are looking for ideas on how to address food waste in your community.

Training opportunities

Industrial Environmental Sustainability intersession course

PPI is offering CE690, Industrial Environmental Sustainability Practices May 23–25. Professional development hours are available for those who complete the course. CE690 focuses on P2 and sustainability practices in manufacturing and industrial facilities and includes an overview of environmental regulations and EPA tools.

Learn more or enroll in CE690 >

Online hazardous waste training

Hazardous waste handlers are required to complete training annually, and new employees must be trained within six months of taking a position that requires they handle hazardous waste. This training needs to be documented and maintained for at least three years.

PPI offers online training that includes a certificate of completion for $50 per user.

Enroll now >

Plan a litter pickup at your facility for Earth Week

We are encouraging industry partners to get inspired and take action by hosting a litter pickup at their facilities during Earth Week, April 16-22.

You can limit the event to your own property or expand it to an adjacent field or riverbank. Cleaning litter from the ground, such as in your facility’s parking lots and storage areas, is the easiest way to prevent escaped trash from making it to the oceans. We have put together several tips to help organize this event and reduce escaped trash.

View our litter pickup guide >