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MONTANA POLLUTION PREVENTION PROGRAM - 2000
The Montana Pollution Prevention Program, part of the Montana State University
Extension Service, has experienced another busy year of service to Montana’s
small businesses and individuals. We have strengthened our relationship with
our P2 partners, expanded our universe of clients, and continued several of
our noteworthy programs.
P2 Partners: We have continued our interaction with our network of
partners, particularly trade associations, individual businesses, government
agencies, and non-governmental agencies. During the year, we contacted several
businesses journals and trade publications for their interest in unsolicited
articles, and targeted advertisements were placed in special-interest editions,
some reaching over 17,000 Montana businesses in a single printing.
EcoStar: EcoStar, the MTP2 recognition program for environmentally
conscious businesses, has completed its fourth year of operation. In calendar
year 2000, 22 small businesses were honored for their P2 and resource conservation
efforts. The EcoStar program was expanded this year to include nominated businesses
and individuals who have made special contributions to P2 efforts in the state.
Four individuals and two businesses were so honored this year.
Local Government: The "P2 Guidebook for Local Governments"
is currently under final review. When complete, the guidebook will be distributed
to all county governments and most municipal governments in the state. As an
incentive to implement P2 into local government operations, a Local Government
EcoStar program is also being developed.
STAR: The STAR (Spray Technique Analysis and Research) Program provided
its first training in Montana during 2000. Designed to assist spray painters
with increasing their efficiency, this program was initially developed by the
Iowa Waste Reduction Center. With the assistance of our partner in STAR, the
Montana Department of Environmental Quality Pollution Prevention Bureau, we
have purchased all of the needed equipment to present the STAR training, and
will implement it statewide during 2001. An undergraduate partnership with the
Automotive Technology Department at Montana State University-Northern has already
been implemented.
Consumer P2: In coordination with the Montana Home*A*Syst Program,
consumer P2 issues were addressed in several seminars. Issues addressed in these
seminars included the Montana Private Land Ownership Program and real estate
environmental issues for small landowners. MT P2 promotes Enviro-Rangers as
their main youth initiative, P2 Enviro-Rangers is a Region 8 program managed
by Peaks to Prairies.
Aviation: Many of the processes, procedures, chemicals, and hazardous
substances found in the automotive maintenance and auto body repair businesses
are also found and used in the aircraft maintenance business. Airport operations
also have their own, unique P2 opportunities. In an effort to expand our target
audience, the MTP2 Program contacted the six busiest airports in Montana (Yes,
they all have paved runways! Please call early for cow removal.), providing
them with P2 information, including aviation-specific case studies adapted from
Canadian sources. Through this contact, the MTP2 Program was requested to assist
Gallatin Field, Bozeman’s airport, in selecting a more environmentally-friendly
runway de-icing compound than urea. After evaluating the information provided
by the MTP2 Program, and other information, Gallatin Field has selected sodium
acetate as its new runway de-icer. Airport management has agreed to provide
case study information in the future.
Continuing Programs: The MTP2 Program continues to provide the following
additional services:
- P2 Resource Library
- The Bridge, a quarterly newsletter
- Publications
- Technical Assistance
- Montana Material Exchange Program
- Web Site (http://www.montana.edu/wwwated)
- On-Site Visits
Personnel: Dr. Michael Vogel, Program Director; Jon Hudson, Small Business
Technical Specialist; Lara Dando, previously a Technical Specialist with the
Program for over five years, has moved to Kansas where her husband is pursuing
his doctorate. A replacement for Lara will be hired as soon as possible. (Note:
Ted Lange has joined the MTP2 Program effective October 4, 2000).
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