Kansas businesses have an opportunity to participate in a facilitated EMS project that includes quarterly training sessions designed to take a business, step by step, through the EMS implementation process. The first of the four, two-day sessions starts June 15, 2004, in Kansas City. After each session, business will have "homework" to complete before the next session and technical assistance will be available. Registrants must be committed to the process and by the end of the series of four training sessions, their EMS will be complete.

EPA Region 7 partners are joining together to bring this facilitated EMS training to Region 7 small businesses at a cost of only $200, pennies on the dollar compared to market value. Registration is limited. Read more at http://www.iwrc.org/programs/emsEPAbrochure.pdf.

How do you celebrate Earth Day?

April 22 is the official Earth Day, but as environmental specialists, nearly every day is earth day in our work. Many are already involved in activities around the community, but take a few minutes this month to set a goal at your facility to change a process, change a material, or change a technology in the interest of waste reduction and improved compliance. Ideas may be as simple as improved inventory control, solvent substitution, or identifying recycling outlets for the e-waste that nearly all facilities have. Look for "The Proper Place for E-wastes" next month.

Sedgwick County Waste Tire Roundup

Sedgwick County residents and businesses have an opportunity to dispose of those old tires via a last-of-its-kind, county-sponsored program. Unless you are in the business of collecting tires (auto repair, etc.), even tires from businesses will be accepted. The roundup runs April 22-24 and 29, 30, and May 1, 2004, and there is no limit to the number of tires allowed. Go to http://www.sedgwickcounty.org/environment/ for hours and locations.

E-tips is a service of the Kansas Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP). Contact SBEAP at 800-578-8898 or sbeap@ksu.edu for confidential, environmental compliance and pollution prevention assistance.