K-State pollution prevention intern program helping Kansas businesses save money, reduce waste

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Source: Nancy Larson, 1-800-578-8898 or 785-532-4998, nlarson@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Mary Rankin, 785-532-6715, mrankin@k-state.edu

Monday, January 22, 2007

K-STATE POLLUTION PREVENTION INTERN PROGRAM HELPING KANSAS BUSINESSES SAVE MONEY, REDUCE WASTE

MANHATTAN -- The Kansas State University Pollution Prevention Institute Intern Program has seven positions available for summer 2007.

Now in its second year, the program links top-level engineering and environmental sciences students with Kansas business and industry to research projects that reduce industrial emissions and wastes and conserve natural resources.

In the inaugural year of the program, summer 2006, four K-State College of Engineering students were matched with four companies: Frontier Refining, El Dorado; Monarch Cement Company, Humboldt; Haldex Brakes, Iola; and Columbian Chemicals Company, Ulysses.

Charged with developing effective waste-reducing solutions, the interns' work helped the companies reduce operating costs, regulatory compliance burdens and their environmental footprint, according to Nancy Larson, director of the K-State Pollution Prevention Institute.

If implemented, the interns' recommendations would see the host companies collectively realize savings of up to $461,000 through reductions of hazardous waste and kilowatt-hours, prevention of soil loss and diversion of solid waste, Larson said.

"The interns gained hands-on experience in an industrial setting as well as an understanding of pollution prevention strategies for problem solving and environmental management," Larson said. The students work with a technical adviser from the Pollution Prevention Institute, as well as personnel from their host company to identify appropriate projects.

Students enrolled in an accredited engineering or science program at a college or university in Kansas and who have at least a junior standing by the start of summer 2007 are eligible for an intern position. The 2007 program year also will include two positions that work directly with the health care industry.

"Most of these intern positions pay $14 an hour and provide an opportunity to gain education and experience in pollution prevention," Larson said. "Knowledge of this environmental principle will be advantageous to any future career. Participation in these internships throughout the U.S. has resulted in many employment offers from host companies."

Student and business applications are due Wednesday, Jan. 31. More information is available at http://www.sbeap.org/internships.html and download PDF files "Student Application" or "Business Application" for 2007.

The 2006 program matched the following K-State students with Kansas businesses: Ryan Hamel, senior in biological and agricultural engineering, Osborne, Frontier Refining; Nathan Fritz, senior in chemical engineering, Salina, Columbian Chemicals Company; Christopher Frampton, senior in chemical engineering, Topeka, Monarch Cement Company; and Ignacio Sala, December 2006 bachelor's graduate in industrial engineering, Las Cruces, N.M., Haldex Brakes.