Intern Host Companies

What projects are considered Pollution Prevention (P2)?

Pollution Prevention (P2) refers to practices that reduce or eliminate the generation of pollutants at the source, rather than controlling them after they have been created.

Examples of P2 Projects
Energy Efficiency Improvements Lighting Upgrades: Replacing inefficient lighting systems (e.g., incandescent or metal halide lamps) with energy-efficient LED fixtures. Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs): Installing VFDs on motors to reduce energy consumption by controlling motor speed according to demand. HVAC Optimization: Implementing energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, such as smart thermostats or high-efficiency units.	Water Conservation Water Leak Detection and Repair: Conducting audits to identify and fix leaks in plumbing systems to reduce water waste. Low-Flow Fixtures: Installing low-flow faucets, toilets, and showerheads to reduce water usage in facilities. Closed-Loop Cooling Systems: Replacing once-through cooling systems with closed-loop systems to recycle water and reduce consumption.	Toxic Chemical Substitution Solvent Replacement: Replacing hazardous solvents (e.g., toluene or perchloroethylene) with safer, aqueous-based or bio-based alternatives. Green Chemistry Practices: Adopting green chemistry methods that reduce the use of toxic chemicals in manufacturing processes.	Waste Reduction Material Reuse: Implementing practices that encourage the reuse of materials within the production process, reducing waste. Lean Manufacturing: Adopting lean manufacturing principles to minimize waste in production processes by optimizing resource use.
Air Emissions Reduction Emission Control Technologies: Installing or upgrading technologies that capture or reduce emissions at the source, such as vapor recovery systems. Process Modifications: Modifying industrial processes to reduce the generation of air pollutants, such as switching to low-emission coatings or adopting alternative fuel sources.	Hazardous Waste Management Inventory Management: Improving inventory control to reduce the amount of hazardous materials purchased, stored, and eventually disposed of. Waste Minimization: Redesigning processes to generate less hazardous waste, such as by using alternative materials or altering production methods.	Employee Training and Awareness Environmental Best Practices Training: Educating employees on practices that reduce waste and energy consumption in the workplace. Pollution Prevention Audits: Conducting regular audits and training sessions to identify and implement P2 opportunities.

Benefits of Hosting an Intern

By hosting a PPI intern, your company can:

• Receive well-developed, specific recommendations that lead to higher operational efficiency.
• Decrease regulatory compliance burdens.
• Reduce your environmental footprint through targeted projects in areas such as energy and water use, toxic chemicals, air emissions, hazardous and solid waste, and employee risks.

Cost and Commitment

Interns work full-time (40 hours/week) for 11 weeks, with a total cost to the company of approximately $11,000, which includes the K-State fringe benefit rate. PPI provides support with intern training, report reviews, and final presentations, ensuring that your company receives high-quality recommendations and solutions.

$23/hour * 40 hour/week * 11 weeks = $10,120 + K-State fringe benefit rate

If you don't have enough work or funding for a full-time intern, a circuit rider intern may be a good fit. Circuit riders work with you on a short-term basis, focusing on one or two projects. Space is limited for this option.  
Apply for a Circuit Rider Intern - Download the fillable PDF and return by email to Cris Brazil

Training and Project Support

The first week of the internship involves classroom training hosted at K-State, covering P2 strategies for industrial environments. Throughout the internship, PPI provides ongoing technical support and feedback on the intern’s activities and reports.

How to Apply

Interested companies should complete the online Host Company Application or download the Circuit Rider Intern Application and submit it to Cris Brazil via email.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens during the internship?
Most interns spend the first week training in Manhattan and then spend 10 weeks on-site at the host company facility, conducting project research, collecting data and writing reports. These reports contain environmental and economical savings identified for projects the intern is working on for the host company. All intern reports are submitted to the company's on-site intern supervisor, PPI's intern coordinator, and other assigned pollution prevention or energy specialists at PPI. PPI reviews these reports for technical content and provides feedback and guidance on the intern’s activities.

An intern reports his or her activities and findings each week. Halfway through the internship, all interns attend a retreat where they submit a 30-50% progress report and present project status.

A written final report is due at the end of the internship.  This document is a report for the host company and contains the intern’s methods, findings, and recommendations. PPI encourages interns to present their findings to their host companies and/or project stakeholders and maintains copies of their reports for at least five years. The intern also develops a case summary that will be published on PPI’s website after the internship, once the host company has approved its content.

Finally, at the end of the internships, PPI hosts an intern symposium in Manhattan where the interns present the findings of their projects. The symposium is open to the public, industry and stakeholders, such as EPA and KDHE, to attend.

Do my projects qualify?
Start by contacting the us to discuss the projects or schedule an on-site visit. Email ksu-ppi@ksu.edu or call 800-578-8898. Intern projects solely focused on compliance with established environmental regulations do not qualify. However, source reduction is an EPA and KDHE recognized method to improve compliance and reduce regulatory burden. 

For more details, email ksu-ppi@ksu.edu or call 800-578-8898.