P3 - 2006 Project Overview

In the summer of 2006, 14 student interns participated in UNL’s Partners in Pollution Prevention Program. Students worked with businesses to research methods of reducing waste and preventing pollution. They also assisted with a wide variety of environmental projects focusing on education, energy efficiency, water conservation and waste management. Each student prepared a report of proposed improvements, detailing the economic and environmental benefits implementing their suggestions.

The following project overviews describe the interns' projects and recommendations.

Industrial Placement (one student-one business)

1. Paul Brandt - Lincoln Plating
   Reduce water and electricity use by conducting a coolant system study and optimizing rinse systems on plating lines.


2. Hunter Flodman - Platte Valley Fuel Ethanol
   Design an Environmental Management System (EMS) template for use at ethanol facilities. Investigate methods to reduce phosphorus and sulfur concentrations in the distillers grain co-products, reducing water use and increasing production efficiency.


3. Ann Francis - Omaha Public Power District
   Conduct substation risk analyses and field research for Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans, and hazardous waste reduction and disposal assessments.


4. Tim Garnett - Coleman Powermate
   Create a database to track solid waste and reduce landfill waste by identifying improvements in recycling and waste disposal.


5. Eric Lueshen - Visay Dale Electronics
   Identify waste reduction and energy efficiency suggestions regarding alternative solvents and plastic recycling, air compressor efficiency and heat recovery, equipment insulation, and energy-efficient lighting.


6. Josh Melliger - Lincoln Water System
   Perform landscape irrigation water assessments and encourage water conservation practices from business, industry and the community.


7. Nathan Roberts - Square D
   Reduce landfill waste through a recycling or reuse program for the thermoset molding compound waste produced.


8. Mike Venteicher - Agengoa Bioenergy
   Save water and reduce risk of surface water deterioration by reusing waste water sludge for composting.


9. Jeff Williams - Eaton
   Reduce landfill waste and increase production efficiency by investigating alternative uses or disposal for forging lubricant and grinding swarf waste.

1. Jake Marotz
   Develop alternative waste treatment and management systems for small-to-medium sized livestock producers.


2. Jeff Thiele
   Perform traditional waste assessments for small businesses focused on reducing electricity consumption, water usage, solid waste disposal, and release prevention. Participate in public education projects such as writing pollution prevention newsletter articles.


3. Laura Tiehen
   Provide assistance to WasteCap Nebraska, including waste assessments focused on recycling, researching, and documenting “waste organics for compost” in a report entitled Recycling Organics Initiative.

1. Maggie Lock
   Conduct waste assessments within a variety of industries, including aerospace and defense, steel manufacturing, air filtration, and healthcare, focused on energy conservation practices, compressed air system analysis, and recycling options.


2. Jessica Mohatt
   Conduct waste assessments related to energy efficiency, water conservation, and recycling for steel manufacturing, composites, industrial air filtration, and health care businesses and industry.