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.
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