This project will provide technical assistance (e.g., information, training, tools) to businesses to help them develop and adopt source reduction practices (also known as pollution prevention (P2))

Kansas State University received a $464,727 Project Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 under the Pollution Prevention Grants Program (CFDA 66.708), effective January 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028. The award supports technical assistance delivery to Kansas businesses to help them develop and adopt source reduction practices, also known as pollution prevention (P2). The university will provide information, training, and tools to help businesses reduce or eliminate pollutants from waste streams prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal, enabling cost savings through reduced resource consumption and waste generation while lowering environmental footprints.

The project work is organized under three primary initiatives. Project 1 establishes an intern program connecting Kansas companies with students to identify, assess, and implement pollution prevention practices. Project 2 delivers comprehensive P2 assistance through on-site support, a toll-free hotline, and online resources. Project 3 promotes pollution prevention adoption among target industries. Technical assistance prioritizes five national emphasis areas: food and beverage manufacturing (NAICS 311, 3121), chemical manufacturing (NAICS 325), automotive manufacturing and maintenance (NAICS 3361-3363, 8111), aerospace product and parts manufacturing (NAICS 3364, 488190), and metal manufacturing and fabrication (NAICS 331-332), while remaining open to serving non-emphasis area companies with significant environmental savings potential. The university will employ trained pollution prevention staff and interns to deliver these services throughout Kansas.

P2 means reducing or eliminating pollutants from entering any waste stream or otherwise being released into the environment prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal. P2 practices can help businesses save money by reducing their resource use, expenditures, waste and liability costs, while at the same time reducing their environmental footprint and helping to protect human health and the environment. Specifically, the project work will accomplish providing pollution prevention technical assistance to kansas businesses, utilizing trained pollution prevention staff and interns. Activities:the priorities for P2 technical assistance (information, training, and tools) align with one or more of the program's national emphasis areas (NEAS). Specifically, the project(S) activities will address the following: NEA #1 food and beverage manufacturing and processing (NAICS codes 311 and 3121), NEA # 2 chemical manufacturing, processing and formulation (NAICS codes 325 and the 4-6-digitnaics codes under 325), NEA #3 automotive manufacturing and maintenance (NAICS 3361, 3362, 3363, and 8111), NEA #4 aerospace product and parts manufacturing and maintenance (NAICS 3364 and 488190), and NEA #5 metal manufacturing and fabrication (NAICS 331AND 332). KSU will prioritize work with all five NEAS but will be opened to working with non-NEA companies that could result in significant environmental savings. Activities will be conducted under three projects. Project 1 connects kansas companies and students through an intern program designed to help businesses identify, assess and implement pollution prevention practices. Project 2 provides businesses with comprehensive P2 assistance opportunities via on-site support, a toll-free hotline and online resources. Project 3 promotes pollution prevention awareness and recognition and educates businesses on adopting efficient, sustainable technologies and practices to protect human and environmental health in communities. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the technical assistance conducted by the grantee will benefit facilities and, if applicable, may address underserved communities. The recipient is expected to report on P2 performance measures (outputs and outcomes) and note who will benefit from the technical assistance as well as commit to following-up with facilities to find out whether the technical assistance was adopted and implemented. The anticipated deliverables include direct technical assistance to 50 businesses; assist 120 businesses assistance through hotline calls; develop one 1 formal case study and up to 8 case summaries; produce at least 1 success story; host the annual P2 intern symposium to amplify results; hold a workshop focusing on the previous year's intern findings from work with NEAS #1-#5; provide continuing education credits for up to 24 students in pollution prevention techniques; follow-up with attendees/students to determine behavior change; present at least 3 sessions on topics related to P2 at each annual kansas environmental conference. The expected outcomes include an additional $3,225,547 annual dollars saved, 25,487,419 gallons of water conserved, 12,620,590 KWH saved, and 415,621 LBS. Of hazardous waste reduced. Survey and evaluations of attendees at the end of each training will document behavior change and increased understanding of P2 strategies discussed and the role of P2 in mitigating the use of toxic chemicals and other pollution to communities. The intended beneficiaries include kansas industry receiving technical assistance and participating college students.