1997 New Hampshire Pollution Prevention Internship Program
Internship Final Report
Student Intern Liaison/P2 Database Management/On-Site Assessment
Melissa Waleryszak
TEL: 603/271-6460
FAX: 603/271-2456
e_mail: nhppp@deswmdpl.mv.com
Department of Environmental Services (DES)
NH Pollution Prevention Program
6 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03301-6509
Contact Person:
Vincent Perelli, Manager
TEL: 603-271-2902
FAX: 603-271-2456
e_mail: perelli@deswmdpl.mv.com
I. Table of Contents
I.
Table of Contents
II.
Executive Summary
III.
Introduction/Background
IV.
Goals/Objectives
V.
Approach/Methodology
VI.
Project Results
VII.
Pollution Prevention Benefits
VIII.
Recommendations for Future Efforts
IX.
References
X.
Appendices
II.
Executive Summary
My summer internship with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Pollution
Prevention Program, the NHPPP, involved a variety of assignments. As the student intern liaison, I
supported the eight other interns (placed at various manufacturing facilities and agencies) through
information searches on such topics as alternatives for propylene glycol for airplane deicing, spill
absorbent vendors, Groundwater Protection Rules (Env-Ws 410), and storm water P2 plans. I also
kept the interns informed of various meetings, progress report dates, and helped in the general
coordinating of the interns this summer. Updating the technical and vendor databases was another
project this summer which will guarantee the program of having the most current information at
their fingertips. CLEAN-P2 is a pilot project in Maine and New Hampshire used in helping metal
plating and printing facilities save money through pollution prevention and helping them be in
environmental compliance with all media programs. I attended the third CLEAN-P2 visit, and
subsequently created a tank layout plan for each of the numerous plating lines.
III.
Introduction/Background
The NHPPP helps New Hampshire businesses address multi-media (water, land, and air) pollution
and waste issues through pollution prevention. The program assesses existing situations and
suggests P2 possibilities which are both economically and environmentally sensible. The program
offers:
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IV.
on-site assistance;
pollution prevention and compliance assistance;
conferences and workshops;
pilot projects;
strategic partnerships;
curriculum development; and
an information clearinghouse.
Goals/Objectives
My objectives for the summer first included providing the student interns with their requested
information. Second, I was to coordinate the student intern activities, for example the bi-weekly
progress reports, the progress presentation on July 2, the final presentation on September 4, and
final report. Third, I was to research P2 topics when necessary and provide project support to DES
and UNH staff as needed. My final objectives were to maintain the technical and vendor databases
and assist in several on-site evaluations.
Due to the new NEWMOA measurement program and pressure from the EPA to prove the
NHPPP’s “worth,” a new goal/objective came about after the start of the internship. This goal was
to work on follow-up and measurement protocols for the NHPPP.
V.
Approach/Methodology
For the P2 Internship Program to be a success, it is important that all parties (i.e. interns, DES,
UNH, and sponsor companies) know what is going on. I helped maintain a consistent line of
communication by being in close contact with the other student interns, as well as with Dr. Ihab
Farag, UNH P2 Internship Program Director. Upon request, I conducted P2 and compliance-related
information searches (P2 and compliance assistance) for the interns by utilizing both in-house (e.g.
In-Magic database) and out-of-house (P2Tech Listserve, Internet searches, other state P2 programs)
resources. After reviewing several hundred hazardous waste annual and biennial reports, I was able
to come up with several correlational charts in an attempt to quantify the success of the NHPPP.
VI.
Project Results:
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Providing the most current and thorough information to the interns, DES, and UNH staff
was a significant project this summer. Over seventy information searches were conducted
and over 325 documents sent out. Topics varied from topics such as alternatives for
propylene glycol for airplane deicing and spill absorbent vendors to Groundwater Protection
Rules (Env-Ws 410) and storm water P2 plans;
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A close communication between all the interns and the internship program directors was
established;
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Several on-sites were attended:
Sargent’s Service Center of Rye
Rye Auto Body
JMD Industries;
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The business contacts database and file cabinet were updated and organized;
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The vendor and technical databases were updated with the most current possible
information available;
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Following a CLEAN-P2 site visit, a tank layout plan was created for JMD Industries for
each of the various plating lines;
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Biennial and Annual Hazardous Waste Reports were sorted through and charts were created
in order to quantify the success of the NHPPP (see appendix for a copy);
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A Customer Service Phone Survey was created as a way to follow-up on information
requests we may have provided to an individual or facility (see appendix for a copy); and
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Annual reports and reports to legislature from states other than New Hampshire were
reviewed and summarized in order to assist the P2 staff with the upcoming report to
legislature (see appendix for a copy).
VII.
Pollution Prevention Benefits
By providing the interns with P2 and compliance information, they are able to more efficiently help
their sponsor companies reach their pollution prevention and compliance goals more effectively.
This can decrease the amount of money spent on manufacturing operations, as well as compliancerelated activities. By maintaining the technical and vendor databases, facilities, staff, and
consumers have access to the most current information available.
Developing follow-up research/surveys and quantifying the accomplishments of the NHPPP,
because of the increased pressure by EPA and others to show measurable pollution prevention
results, was considerably time consuming. The pollution prevention staff will be better able to
present the case that pollution prevention is by far the preferred and most cost effective approach to
environmental management.
VIII. Recommendations for Future Efforts
Consistent updating of the NHPPP vendor and technical databases will guarantee the program of
having the most current information at their fingertips.
Detailed records for information requests need to be maintained to more easily summarize
accomplishments of the NHPPP.
IX.
References
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In-Magic technical and vendor databases
Annual and Biennial Hazardous Waste Reports
Diverse individual contacts
Annual Reports and Reports to Legislature from numerous states
X.
Appendix
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