March 2025: P2 Industry Newsletter
CSE3 Pollution Prevention – Industry Newsletter
Note from the Editor
As the manufacturing sector evolves, one challenge remains constant: waste disposal is becoming increasingly difficult and costly. With tightening environmental regulations and rising disposal fees, companies face more pressure than ever to manage waste effectively. This is where pollution prevention (P2) and source reduction come into play. By addressing waste before it’s even created, manufacturers can significantly reduce their environmental impact while also cutting long-term costs.
At the Center for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering (CSE3) at ECU, our mission is to help companies uncover opportunities to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and prevent pollution at the source. Pollution Prevention is not just a best practice; it’s a proven strategy that drives measurable improvements in both business performance and environmental outcomes. Prioritizing P2 leads to long-term benefits, such as reduced waste, lower energy and water consumption, and the adoption of more sustainable practices.
Our vision is for North Carolina’s manufacturing sector to thrive by embracing these practices and achieving sustainable, cost-effective results. This year, CSE3 will continue working with manufacturers to offer technical assistance, we can ensure the manufacturing sector not only meets but exceeds its environmental and economic goals.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to sustainability, Together, we can create a future where both businesses and the environment flourish.
Sincerely,
Marly Irby, PhD
Pollution Prevention Specialist
Center for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering
East Carolina University
Did You Know?
The Benefits of Pollution Prevention
According to the EPA, implementing Pollution Prevention strategies can reduce waste generation by up to 50%, saving businesses money on waste disposal and operational costs. Even simple measures, such as using fewer toxic chemicals or improving energy efficiency, can have a noticeable impact on both the environment and your bottom line. Small efforts today can lead to big environmental and financial benefits tomorrow!
Recent Activities
P2 Workshops
CSE3 kicked off 2025 with our first workshop on sustainability in manufacturing held in Greenville, NC, featuring insightful speakers on pollution prevention, operational efficiency, and financial examples of sustainability. We also wrapped up our ‘Clean and Green: Pollution Prevention Strategies for Manufacturers’ workshop in Washington, NC, with presentations from ECU’s College of Business, College of Engineering, industry professionals, and CSE3 staff.
Mr. Stephen Kelly, ESG Manager at Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, gave an insightful presentation on environmental stewardship, highlighting successful pollution prevention strategies implemented at the company. He also shared the benefits of having CSE3 interns during the summer to help identify P2 opportunities. These two workshops impacted a wide range of sectors, including biotechnology, home appliances, materials handling solutions, chemicals and plastics, absorbent hygiene products, boat manufacturing, electronics, polymer manufacturing, industrial equipment, and more. A big thank you to all the attendees from 13 companies who participated in making these events a success!
P2 Assessments
CSE3 continues its work in providing free P2 energy, water, and lean assessments to NC manufacturers. Our technical team has recently conducted 5 assessments, helping companies identify opportunities for reducing waste, energy, and water usage, while improving operational efficiency. Recent recommendations have already helped companies reduce their environmental impact and save costs. Some of the most impactful recommendations included Install Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) on Chiller, Adjust Steam Boiler Air-Fuel ratio, and Install Solar Panels.
Interested in improving your operations? Schedule a 30-minute call via Teams to learn how we can help you with a no-cost assessment.
Fill out the form to request an assessment
For more information about our P2 services, be sure to visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter.
Watch Our Most Recent Webinar: Energy Efficiency Best Practices
Presented by Mr. Dale Cranford, Energy Project Sales Engineer at Piedmont Service Group, this webinar provides a comprehensive overview of best practices and innovative solutions for optimizing building systems. Topics include HVAC, BAS, fault detection and diagnostics, lighting and electrical systems, water management, and renewable technologies. He also covers other critical building systems and explore the current cost environment, offering insights on how to improve energy efficiency and reduce operational costs.
Upcoming Events
This month, the center will host several pollution prevention-related events. We encourage you to register, as these events are FREE to attend, thanks to federal funding:
Webinar: Common misconceptions about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and sustainability: A quick look at the essential use concept, featuring Dr. Jamie DeWitt, Director, Pacific Northwest Center for Translational Environmental Health Research and Professor, Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University.
Date: March 24 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM.
Attention Professionals in Chatham County and Surrounding Areas!
Don’t miss out on our Workshop on Sustainability and Pollution Prevention in Manufacturing happening on March 25, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center in Pittsboro, NC.
This event is FREE to attend, and lunch is on us! It’s a great opportunity to network and learn about strategies that can help you improve operational efficiency and reduce environmental impact in your company.
Who should attend?
Professionals in the manufacturing sector, environmental engineers, product plant and process engineers, economic and development business professionals, sustainability managers, health, safety, and environmental managers, or any professional working in a manufacturing plant.
Location:
Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center
1192 U.S. Hwy 64 West Business, Pittsboro, NC 27312
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Thank you for reading! Stay tuned for more updates from our team as we continue working towards a sustainable future!