Small Busines Enterprise - Winter edition

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Small Business Enterprise

News from the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program

In this issue


Coming soon: Grants to reduce air pollution

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In February, the MPCA will accept grant applications for projects to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at small businesses, local governments, educational institutions, trade groups, and nonprofits. With this cost-share program, Many of these organizations have opportunities to use alternative equipment, solvents, inks, coatings, or cleaners that can save money and protect the health of their employees and neighbors.

To date, 21 Minnesota organizations were granted $660,000 to reduce VOCs. These projects have reduced about eighteen tons of VOCs annually, equal to more than 18,000 cans of spray paint.  Learn more about past projects on our website.

VOCs are common air pollutants emitted from processes and liquids that can cause a variety of health effects including irritation of the eyes and throat, headaches, and nausea.  They also combine with other airborne pollutants to form smog.

The MPCA is looking to fund cost-effective projects in a wide range of organizations. The funding opens soon, so we urge anyone thinking about a VOC-reducing project to sign up now for email updates by visiting the MPCA VOC reduction webpage or contacting Eric David at 651-757-2218 or eric.david@state.mn.us.


Grant funding for a green chemistry summer intern at your company

green chem

MPCA is seeking project proposals for a green chemistry & engineering internship at a Minnesota facility in summer 2018. The maximum grant funding is $10,000.

Through this project, both the company and the intern will gain experience advancing the practice of green and safer product chemistry engineering within the host company, applied to improve one or more of the company’s products or components. Example projects include:

  • Life cycle comparison of candidate materials
  • Support safety and/or performance testing of alternative materials or designs
  • Work with design, manufacturing, and cross-functional teams to assess the supply and cost of new materials
  • Catalog supplier safety data sheets and certifications as part of green/sustainable purchasing initiatives
  • Update inventories of chemical regulations and support audits of internal and supply chain compliance
  • Learn and perform hazard and alternatives assessment processes
  • Support sales and marketing of reformulated products

The awarded company will select from a pool of students or recent graduates of scientific/technical programs for interviews and an eventual offer for their position. The intern will work with a mentor from the company for 10-12 weeks over the summer—or beyond that, if the company and intern agree. The use and amount of matching resources must be described in the application; however, no specific amount or percentage of matching funds is required.

Company application deadline:  February 23, 2018 (2:00 p.m. Central Time). Ask clarifying questions through p2.pca@state.mn.us. Answers will be posted in the Q&A tab.


Could your business gain from a Minnesota Materials Marketplace?

Circular economy

Modifying your supply chain to reuse more and manage waste differently can save you money and reduce business waste. But how can you connect up with other businesses in the circular economy? How can you find a less-expensive secondary source for the feedstock you need?  What if you don’t have time to find a buyer for your spent chemicals? Could someone use your off-spec production or unneeded office furniture?

The MPCA wants to know if an improved online B2B materials transaction platform and/or added expert assistance to evaluate by-product material uses would be of value to Minnesota businesses. 

Minnesota has a long-running Materials Exchange program, hosted at the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program. Predating craigslist, it is specifically intended for B2B exchanges of a wide range of materials:  industrial process by-products, surplus equipment or office furniture, surplus chemicals, unneeded office supplies, etc.

Some states, as part of the Materials Leadership Council, are establishing Materials Marketplaces, using an expanded platform with more functions, like simple and confidential chatting between businesses, built in functions for completing financial transactions, and inclusion of logistics providers to help move materials around. You can find out about them here

All kinds of businesses and materials could be matched and reused – from Fortune 500 companies to small nonprofits, using materials from foundry sand to picnic tables. New uses and markets for secondary materials can be developed that may even launch new business opportunities. 

Would such a Marketplace be helpful to you? Let us know! Whether Minnesota invests in B2B reuse depends on business support.  To express your interest and stay in the loop over email, visit the MN Materials Marketplace.


Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) news

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Improve neighborhood air quality - switch out cleaners/degreasers at your shop

Poor local air quality affects Minnesotans by triggering a range of health problems, from itchy throats to asthma attacks. It also contributes to bad air quality days. That is why the University of Minnesota’s Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) is teaming up with UROC, and the West Broadway Business and Area Coalition, to work with businesses in North Minneapolis to reduce hazardous air pollutants and chemicals, increase worker safety, and improve the air.

Last summer, a MnTAP intern worked with auto shops in South Minneapolis’ Phillips communities to promote adoption of less toxic, lower-emission degreasing solvents commonly used to clean or degrease machinery and automotive parts. This project reduced air emissions by about 3,000 pounds per year!

MnTAP is now working in North Minneapolis with auto repair shops and others to identify the safest products that still get the job done. Interested shops receive a free review of their current products, samples for testing safer products, and if they choose to make a change, some free product to get started (while supplies last).

Choosing safer products is not easy. The major challenge is that many look similar, but contain different ingredients with a wide range of impacts on health and the environment. Some easy tips to choose safer products:

  • Look for products that say Non-Chlorinated & Low VOC, 50 State Compliant, or Non-Chlorinated
  • Stay away from chlorinated or non-flammable brake cleaners
  • Find products sold in bulk and invest in refillable cans.

If you work at an auto repair shop or other business that uses cleaners/degreasers, or have a recommendation for your favorite auto repair shop, please call Michelle Gage at 612-624-4619.

Webinar: Compressed Air Demand Reduction through Air Tool Replacement

Did you know that switching out one 5’’ pneumatic sander will reduce power draw more than switching out 900 fluorescent lightbulbs to LEDs?

Compressed air driven (pneumatic) power tools use around 10 times more energy than direct electric motor driven power tools. This relative inefficiency of compressed air is often an overlooked cost-saver at many manufacturing companies. This webinar will present CARD project results in which MnTAP quantified this opportunity.  They identified Minnesota manufacturing subsectors and industries that have significant pneumatic power tool usage; estimated air consumption of pneumatic power tools and electric consumption at the air compressors; and the potential energy and cost savings from tool replacement.

A calculator demo will help you figure out your cost savings, energy savings, and payback period for implementing electric tools! 

When: Feb 22, 2018 at 11:00 AM CST - Register Now!

MnTAP Interns Can Tackle Your Waste and Energy Projects

Does your business have pollution prevention or conservation projects that need a skilled set of hands to get off the ground? The MnTAP Summer Intern Program may be the answer! MnTAP’s highly qualified engineering interns dedicate their time and skills to help optimize energy, water, and materials use in Minnesota facilities.

MnTAP interns collaborate with your business and our staff of engineers and specialists to research conservation opportunities, perform assessments, and develop actionable recommendations that can improve process, material, water and energy efficiency. In 2017, MnTAP interns helped 17 companies identify opportunities to save $1,590,700 annually by uncovering potential reductions of:

  •      1.1 million pounds of waste
  •      9.6 million kWh and 88,000 therms of energy
  •      272 million gallons of water
  •      231 thousand pounds of chemicals

 “This is the first time that DiaSorin teamed up with MnTAP to sponsor an intern, and it was a huge success! The intern was professional, well prepared and organized. He stayed focused on mapping resource usage, collecting and analyzing data, and identifying ways to reduce resource consumption. MnTAP’s intern program is a great benefit for interns and Minnesota businesses alike.”

 – Kelly Gilliland, EHS Manager, DiaSorin

There are still a few spots left! If you are interested in a MnTAP intern for Summer 2018 and would like to discuss further, call Nathan Landwehr at (612) 624-4697 today.


MPCA regulatory updates