Small Business Enterprise - Spring edition

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Small Business Enterprise

News from the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program

In this issue

  • Small business grants for clean air
  • Out of the woods: Mississippi Mushrooms growing exotic fungus
  • Hennepin County business recycling grants - comply with state law
  • MPCA regulatory updates
  • Upcoming events - Environmental Initiative
  • New green product label - US EPA Safer Choice program
  • Follow us on Twitter @smallbizMPCA

Small business grants for clean air

Waynes

Do you have less than 100 employees? Are you interested in reducing chemicals that lead to bad air, known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs)? If so, The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has grants up to $50,000 for small businesses to reduce their VOCs.

The deadline is May 11, 2016 and the application is only 2 pages—easy! Anything your business can do to reduce VOC emissions is eligible: from a manufacturer switching to powder coating, to an auto body shop going to water-based paint, a shop changing to a water-based parts washer, or anything else you can think of. Your business can save money, help your employees, and do something good for the community. Find out more on the MPCA's VOC webpage or by contacting Eric David at 651-757-2218.

Making the switch at Wayne's Auto Body

Wayne’s Auto Body in Hastings, MN used a MPCA small business VOC grant to switch from solvent-based to water-based paints in order to reduce the amount of VOCs it produces. They have realized many benefits beyond lowering VOCs, including less smell, increased productivity, better paint colors, and lower electricity and utility bills.

See the full article by Katrina Styx reprinted with permission from Hastings Star Gazette on the MPCA website.


Out of the woods: Mississippi Mushrooms is growing exotic fungus in the heart of Minneapolis

Mushrooms

A warehouse nestled among concrete domes and heavy industry is the last place one expects to find healthy, ecologically friendly, locally grown food. And yet there they grow, mushrooms ready for their moment in the foodie limelight (oyster, king oyster, nameko, or lion’s mane). The exotic wood-eating fungi are fed a steady substrate diet of sawdust from Wood from the Hood and spent grain from Dangerous Man Brewing Company, waste otherwise destined for the landfill. Once used up, the substrate takes on another life and is sold as compost to places like 56 Brewing, where their garden grows herbs, cabbage, and kale.

See the full story in the most recent issue of The Growler Magazine. Photo by Aaron Davidson of the Growler Magazine.


Hennepin county business recycling grants

Many commercial buildings in Hennepin County are now required to develop recycling programs for at least three materials as of January 1, 2016, according to state law. To help businesses, nonprofit organizations, and institutions start or improve recycling programs, Hennepin County provides funding, technical assistance, and guidance on best practices.

The following grant options are available:

1) Receive up to $10,000. Applications accepted and reviewed beginning January 1 on an ongoing basis.

2) Receive $10,000 to $50,000. Applications accepted and reviewed three times per year on February 15, June 15 and October 15. 

Learn more and apply. For more information, contact Andre Xiong at 612-543-1316.


MPCA regulatory updates

Low emitting facility permit enforcement amnesty

In general, facilities that are operating without a permit are subject to enforcement action, often including monetary penalties. However, in order to encourage such facilities to step forward, obtain a permit, and come into compliance, the MPCA is waiving penalties for operating without a permit for facilities that qualify for the Part 70 LEF General Permit and submit a complete application no later than October 31, 2016.

In 2015, the MPCA corresponded specifically with the auto body shop industry regarding this amnesty period ending April 30, 2016. This is being extended. And even though this letter was written specifically to auto body shops, the enforcement amnesty is offered to any facility that is operating without a permit, qualifies for the Part 70 LEF General permit, and submits a complete application no later than October 31, 2016.

If you have questions about the enforcement amnesty, contact Tom Jablonski at 651-757-2171.

Hazardous waste regulatory update

After April 30, 2016 hazardous waste generators in most of Minnesota will no longer be required to submit copies of hazardous waste manifests.  The exceptions are generators in Anoka and Scott County, or if a county or the MPCA requests manifests as part of an inspection. See the MPCA’s factsheet for more information at https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/w-hw1-07.pdf


Upcoming events from the Environmental Initiative

COP21: The impacts, opportunities, and risks for businesses 

Friday, April 29, 2016

Late last year, nearly 200 countries signed onto a historic climate agreement at COP21 in Paris. What might the impacts of this unprecedented climate agreement be on Minnesota companies? Come explore the implications of new international and national climate goals for Minnesota businesses.

Confirmed Speakers:

  • Jeff Hanratty, Environmental Compliance & Sustainability, General Mills
  • Tom Kloc, Director, Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Services, KPMG
  • Pete Swenson, Director, Sustainable Enterprise, Tennant Company 

More information and registration. For questions about registration, contact Sacha Seymour-Anderson at 651-308-4950.  Let them know you're coming or share questions using #COP21mn on Twitter. You can also follow at @EnvInitiative.

Environmental Initiative Awards celebration

Thursday, May 26, 2016

The Environmental Initiative has recently announced the finalists for the 2016 Environmental Initiative Awards! A panel of independent judges met to evaluate and select the most innovative and collaborative projects across six categories (community action, energy and climate, environmental education, food stewardship, natural resources, sustainable business).

Want to know the winners? You’ll have to join more than 450 environmental leaders for the big celebration on Nicollet Island in Minneapolis. The evening includes a reception, formal dinner, and awards program to honor these eighteen finalists. Winners in each category will be announced “Academy Awards Style” during the program. Register for individual seats or a full table. Questions? Contact Andrea Robbins at 612-334-3388 ext. 110.


New green product label – US EPA Safer Choice Program

Safer choice

The US Environmental Protection Agency’s (U.S. EPA) Safer Choice Voluntary Program for safer chemical products, formerly the Design for the Environment, or ‘DfE’, aims to accomplish the following missions:

  • Communicate the programs human health and environmental protection goals
  • Increase awareness and recognition of the Safer Choice label
  • Encourage innovation and the development of safer chemicals and chemical based products

As of 2016, the Safer Choice Program is working with 500 innovative partner companies and has qualified more than 2,000 institutional and consumer products—with a broad spectrum of cleaning, home care, and custodial uses – to carry the Safer Choice label.

The Safer Choice label allows purchasers to quickly identify products with safer chemical ingredients that also meet performance standards. Several manufacturers and private label companies within Minnesota, such as the ones listed below, have products that meet the rigorous standards of the program and qualify to carry the Safer Choice label. Find out more at https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice.

  • Anderson Chemical Co.
  • Cargill Deicing Technology
  • Cargill Salt
  • Carlson Airflo
  • Dalco
  • Ecolab Center
  • Ecolab, Inc.
  • Multi-Clean
  • National Purity, LLC
  • Sunburst Chemicals, Inc.
  • Target Brands, Inc.
  • Watkins, Inc.