December 19, 2023
Pollution Prevention Institute receives grant focused on environmental justice
K-State's Pollution Prevention Institute, or PPI, recently received a pollution prevention grant from the Environmental Protection Agency that will focus on environmental justice communities, which are areas where residents experience disproportionate environmental burdens and lack equitable environmental protection. These communities often face challenges related to pollution and other environmental hazards.
"PPI has a long history of providing pollution prevention technical assistance to communities in Kansas, but this grant funding will allow us to serve a broader population in rural areas and other places identified as environmental justice regions in the state," said Nancy Larson, director of the institute.
Three main initiatives under this grant aim to support environmental justice communities and the industries within them by providing pollution prevention technical assistance, offering training through partner colleges and local business centers, and developing a virtual reality game for advanced pollution prevention training. This game will be developed in collaboration with K-State Salina's extended reality lab.
"This intercampus partnership underscores K-State's commitment to leveraging our diverse resources and expertise to enhance pollution prevention training and foster sustainability," said Cris Brazil, environmental specialist at PPI and project lead for the grant.
PPI will begin this grant-funded work in 2024, and these efforts are expected to help conserve natural resources, prevent the release of hazardous substances, and empower businesses and institutions within environmental justice communities to adopt sustainable practices, ultimately leading to a healthier, more equitable environment.