January 2022

Inside the Newsletter:

Hot Topics From 2021

Top 3 Topics from from MnTAP Readers 2021

Healthcare
The healthcare pages on our website have the most visits over the past year. Information most viewed in this section was related to water pollution and conservation, lab waste, infectious waste, and hazardous waste. From the high interest in healthcare waste management, MnTAP is working with Zimmer Environmental LLC to create a summary of healthcare waste management practices that should be posted in the next few weeks.

Intern Program
It is no surprise that pages related to the MnTAP Intern Program were among the most viewed in 2021. The intern program sites accumulated 15% of all email clicks to our website. The intern program is a staple of our organization and we are proud to be able to continue to provide this opportunity to students and organizations. Selection of sites for the 2022 MnTAP Intern Program is nearly here! Don’t miss out, apply now for 2022!

P2 Webinar Series
During Pollution Prevention Week in September 2021, MnTAP featured short informational presentations on key aspects of source reduction happening across Minnesota. The P2 webinar series accumulated 20% of all email clicks. The webinars launched daily during pollution prevention week. MnTAP staff used their expertise to develop presentations on a topic of interest, such as solid waste reduction, air emissions and hazardous materials, preventing waste, wastewater energy efficiency and water conservation best practices to bring awareness to pollution prevention. The webinar series is available on the Pollution Prevention (P2) Mini-Webinar Series page.

Let us know about any pollution prevention, water conservation or energy efficiency topics you would like to learn more about in 2022.

MnTAP is Hiring

Are you looking to make a real difference for Minnesota businesses and the environment? MnTAP is seeking an enthusiastic, mission driven colleague to join our team. If you have ever considered making a change in order to see short and long term positive impact from your work, this opportunity could be for you.

MnTAP is seeking a great candidate to support our sustainable materials management efforts (SMM). Successful candidates in this position will coordinate the Minnesota Materials Exchange (mnexchange.org), provide technical assistance to Minnesota businesses and organizations to minimize waste through source reduction, reuse, recycling and food waste reduction. In this role you will serve as a technical resource, conduct site assessments, coordinate MnTAP Intern projects and manage collaborative research projects.

Apply Today

MnTAP and the University of Minnesota recognize and value the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. We are committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds. The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Reducing Wastewater Nutrient Impacts & Costs: Solutions Through Collaboration & Upstream Source Reduction

Join us on Tuesday, February 15th, 2022 from 1-2pm via Zoom for a webinar showcasing the work of Minnesota businesses and wastewater operators, who play an integral part in minimizing pollution discharged to our local bodies of water.

Nutrients such as Nitrogen and Phosphorous can have negative effects on our water resources, but there is not one, simple solution to prevent or remove these nutrients. Both the businesses that feed wastewater facilities and the facilities themselves have a role to play in preventing the negative effects of these nutrients.

During this webinar, speakers will:

Showcase nutrient management challenges faced by both wastewater plant & pond operators, as well as businesses that discharge to them
Highlight successes that have resulted from source reduction of nutrient loading
Discuss the value in working collaboratively on minimizing nutrient loading

Date: Thursday, February 15,2022
1:00 – 2:00PM (CST)

A Zoom access link will be provided to registrants and will be available through MnTAP’s website the day of the webinar.

Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).

ACT NOW – 2022 MnTAP Intern Company Selection

This is it – Only a few weeks left before we select companies for the 2022 MnTAP Intern Program. Don’t miss your opportunity to add an extra person to resolve those stubborn waste, water or energy utilization challenges in your facility that you just have no time to tackle. Apply for a 2022 MnTAP Intern TODAY!

If you have been wondering if a MnTAP Intern can find savings for your business, don’t wait. Give MnTAP a call and one of our engineers will help you fill out an application. We can even work with you to scope a meaningful project customized to meet your site needs. MnTAP will be selecting the first round of companies for the 2022 MnTAP Intern Program in 2 WEEKS! Make sure your project is under consideration.

MnTAP’s Intern Page

For More Information, Contact:

Matt Domski – Intern Program Manager
612-624-5119 or 800-247-0015
mdomski@umn.edu

Publications

MnTAP Article Featured in Precision Manufacturing Journal – “Cutting Oil Recovery: Are You in the 1%?”

Daniel Chang and Gabrielle Martin wrote an article highlighting a company’s successful implementation of a cutting oil recovery process. This article was published in the January/February 2022 issue of MPMA’s Precision Manufacturing Journal, which can be accessed in PDF format on MPMA’s website (p. 18).

Funding Opportunities

Loans for Trichloroethylene (TCE) Reduction

The MPCA has made up to $250,000 in Small Business Environmental Improvement Loans available at zero-percent interest to small businesses for installation and equipment purchases associated with a switch from the use of trichloroethylene (TCE) to an alternative demonstrated to be less toxic.

Qualified borrowers must be an existing small business corporation, sole proprietorship, partnership, or association with less than 500 full-time employees, after-tax profit of less than $500,000, and a demonstrated ability to repay the loan.

See Loans for Trichloroethylene Reduction webpage for eligibility requirements, loan terms, and application form.