P3 - 2008 Project Overview

In the summer of 2008, 15 student interns participated in UNL’s Partners in Pollution Prevention Program. A sixteenth student worked during in the 2007-2008 academic year. 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 of implementing their suggestions.

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

Industrial Placement (one student-one business)

1. Michael “Chad” Abernathy – Tyson Foods, Omaha
   Conducted a waste assessment and collected baseline data to improve the facility’s recycling program. Evaluated the purchase of a baler for recycling materials, the location for an in-house recycling center and changes in packaging to reduce the cardboard and plastic wastes.
2. Ashley Baltes – EGS/Appleton Electric, Columbus
   Quantified the waste produced by the rack and barrel electroplaters and determined ways to reduce rinse water, plating bath dragout, and wastewater treatment sludge. The powder coat curing ovens and steam boilers were also analyzed.
3. Blair Debban - Airlite Plastics, Omaha
   Increased the efficiency of the facility’s compressed air system and reduced the electric utility costs by improving the compressor operation with inlet modulation valves and eliminating unnecessary air use.
4. Brent Hanson – Lincoln Water System
   Reduced water use by performing landscape irrigation water assessments of City high summer water users, identified water savings practices for operating water treatment analyzers, and benchmarked potential water conservation projects using communities similar to Lincoln.
5. Jonathon Holmes – NuCor Nebraska, Norfolk
   Developed an “Energy Dashboard” to provide immediate feedback of energy use, prepared water balance map and recommended replacement of heat exchanger to reduce water use.
6. Shannon Killion – Case IH, Grand Island
   Reduced the amount of waste disposed of in the landfill by improving the recycling program for wood, plastic, cardboard, and lubricating grease, including specifying details for an on-site recycling center.
7. Tisha Roth – Cargill Corp, Blair
   Studied alternative uses for gypsum (a production by-product) and the “Burnt Sugar Stream,” a mixture of burnt sugars and lactic acid generated during production, and recommended improvements for the facility’s pump out system and tracking sources of wastewater.
8. Ben Stewart – Quality Pork International, Omaha
   Evaluated and recommended water-use reduction options from the cleaning process. Also identified options to reduce electricity use and eliminate landfilled wastes from implementation of an Environmental Management System (EMS).
9. Nathan Vanis – Hughes Brothers,Inc., Seward
   Evaluated three main areas of the factory: compressed air usage, galvanizing operations, and wood treating alternatives and suggested opportunities that could reduce energy, solid waste generation or costs.

1. Kristin Bruffett – Nemaha County
   Conducted general pollution prevention assessments at a local hospital, pet food producer, and cabinet manufacturer; performed a landscape irrigation audit at an Auburn, NE optometrist’s office; participated in public education projects for Nemaha County, such as making presentations to 4-H camps, the county fair and service organizations.
2. Kate Johnson – Lancaster County Extension
   Conducted comprehensive waste assessments for an upholstery shop and financial services office; researched costs and benefits of a “Buy Recycled” program; conducted reassessment of previous clients; and compiled general waste assessment for the Lincoln Public Schools Transportation Services facility.
3. David Mabie – Lincoln Electric System Reassessment
   Conducted a reassessment of a previous client determining the implementation status of recommendations focused on reducing energy consumption and solid waste disposal.
4. Seth Reddy – Blue’s Cycle and Fitness, Lincoln
   Reduced hazardous waste by suggesting changes in solvent based parts washer and reduced electricity use through energy efficient lighting.

1. Kayleigh Peters – WasteCap Nebraska
   Assisted several businesses with a variety of projects, including two regional health care facilities and a local motel identifying significant water; energy, and cost savings.
2. Chris New – WasteCap Nebraska
   Reduced solid waste and energy use at a pet food plant and at a manufacturer of center pivot irrigation systems. Served as Engineering Intern Manager for the interns working as part of the P3 collaboration with WasteCap Nebraska.
3. Ben Stewart – Academic Year
   Researched alternative disposal methods for an explosive waste material at a regional manufacturing facility and identified solid waste reduction and recycling opportunities at a Lincoln manufacturing plant.