The best way to deal with pollution is to prevent it first, and that’s the goal of the Montana Pollution Prevention Program, a Montana State University Extension program. Recently the program won a $989,000, two-year grant from U.S. EPA that enables continuation of the EcoStar Awards Program and expands pollution prevention with the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center. That prevention and technical assistance will be targeted at the state’s growing food and beverage manufacturing industries.

Jenny Grossenbacher, head of the pollution prevention program, noted that the food and beverage manufacturing industry is the fastest-growing sector in Montana. She said the grant caters, in part, to the booming microbrew industry in the state.

The EcoStar Awards Program is in its 18th year and recognizes Montana businesses whose practices support environmentally and economically sustainable communities by conserving resources of water, energy and clean air. The program also serves as a role model by surpassing state and federal requirements to reduce solid and hazardous waste.

The grant will fund on-site technical assistance and training for food and beverage businesses. The training will be run by the Montana Pollution Prevention Program and MMEC, and provide information on source reduction techniques, best management practices, safer chemical use and pollution prevention outreach. Some businesses working with the program will receive energy audits from the National Center for Appropriate Technology to identify energy conservation opportunities.

Partnerships network could expand
To share results and transferability of programming throughout the state, the grant will also allow the Montana Pollution Prevention Program to expand its partnerships network for the cumulative benefit of statewide stakeholders.

Added Grossenbacher: “This program can benefit an assortment of stakeholders, including breweries, wineries, distilleries, malters, coffee roasters and food manufacturers — including sugarbeet, cereal grain, meat, dairy and pulse crop processors. We encourage any business in the food and beverage industry to reach out to us for assistance.”

The program is capped at 20 participating businesses per year, but any insights gained will be available through a webinar series to help others that can’t participate in hands-on training.

“These small businesses are the heart of many communities in Montana, and we’re proud to support these outreach education efforts,” said Paul Lachapelle, Extension community development specialist and principal investigator on the EPA grant. “Innovations in this sector have the potential to influence revenue across sectors.”

For companies that are excelling in pollution prevention, Grossenbacher recommends applying for an EcoStar Award. Recipients of the award are honored by the Montana governor in an event at the Capitol in Helena. Learn more at mtp2.org.

Source: Montana State University