P2 Industry Newsletter – June Edition
Bringing you the latest trends, success stories, and actionable insights to help businesses reduce waste, save costs, and protect the environment.
Note from the Editor
This month’s newsletter is packed with valuable content to support your sustainability journey. From pollution prevention tips to success stories from the field, we aim to keep you informed and inspired. Be sure not to miss the events section at the end, as we’re offering timely and practical courses on industrial energy efficiency, compressed air system efficiency, ISO 50001 and ISO 14001, designed specifically for manufacturing professionals and anyone interested in sustainability and pollution prevention. These courses are a great opportunity to build knowledge, connect with experts, and take action toward more sustainable operations.
In our “Did You Know?” section, we’re spotlighting the Safer Choice Program, a valuable resource that helps companies choose products made with safer chemical ingredients. Making informed decisions is a key part of creating healthier workplaces and reducing environmental impact. Programs like Safer Choice provide trusted guidance to support that process. We hope you find this edition useful.
Thanks for reading and we look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event!
Marly Irby, PhD
Environmental Specialist – Pollution Prevention
Center for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering
East Carolina University
Did You Know?
What is the Safer Choice Program?
The Safer Choice Program is a pollution prevention initiative managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It was created to help consumers and commercial buyers identify cleaning and other products that are safer for human health and the environment. At the core of the program is a labeling system that makes it easy to recognize products made with safer chemical ingredients. To earn the Safer Choice label, products must meet rigorous EPA criteria, including evaluations for:
- Toxicity
- Biodegradability
- Human and environmental health impacts
The program also limits volatile organic compound (VOC) content to reduce indoor air pollution and minimize respiratory risks. In addition to the primary Safer Choice label, the EPA offers an optional label specifically for products used in commercial and institutional settings, such as businesses, office buildings, sports venues, and schools, to promote safer purchasing across all sectors.
To explore the Safer Choice Program, visit the EPA’s official website.
Additional Resources
CleanerSolutions is a valuable database designed to help users find safer cleaning products or replace harmful solvents. You can search by contaminants, substrates, equipment used, solvents to be replaced, and even by vendor data.
P2 Impact Stories
How a simple fix helped Shortway Brewing Co. save energy and cut costs
A small adjustment to their walk-in cooler translated into real savings and improved energy efficiency for this NC-based brewery.
S
hortway Brewing Co., a veteran-owned craft brewery in Trenton, NC, partnered with ECU’s Center for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering (CSE3) to improve energy efficiency at their 5,380 ft² production facility. With support from the EPA’s Pollution Prevention (P2) Program, the team identified a key area of energy loss: the walk-in cooler used to store canned beer before shipping. Maintaining a 25°F temperature difference between the cooler and the rest of the facility was energy-intensive, especially with doors opening multiple times per day. CSE3’s recommendation? A low-cost, high-impact solution—installing plastic strip doors to limit air exchange.
What Worked
Using data from thermal imaging and airflow meters, CSE3 estimated the facility was losing 12,069 kWh/year due to cooler inefficiencies—costing about $1,200 annually. Installing $460 worth of PVC strip doors reduced energy loss by 75–85%, resulting in estimated savings of 9,052 kWh/year and over $900 annually. The investment paid for itself in just over 6 months. The solution proved so effective that Shortway installed a second walk-in cooler using the same method. Combined, the improvements now save the brewery around $1,800 per year.
Why It Matters
This simple fix not only reduced utility costs but also helped lighten the brewery’s environmental footprint. It’s a scalable, cost-effective strategy that other manufacturers using walk-in coolers can easily replicate to boost sustainability and operational efficiency.
Pollution Prevention Tip of the Month
Why VOC Abatement Matters in Manufacturing
Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) abatement systems play a critical role in helping manufacturing and industrial facilities reduce harmful emissions, comply with environmental regulations (EPA, OSHA, and local laws), and promote a safer workplace.
By effectively controlling VOC releases, companies can:
- Avoid costly non-compliance fines
- Strengthen their sustainability and ESG performance
- Protect employee health and indoor air quality
In many cases, VOC abatement technologies also offer opportunities for energy recovery or chemical reuse, turning waste into measurable cost savings. When thoughtfully selected and properly integrated, these systems can even enhance operational efficiency by aligning with existing processes and infrastructure.
Want to dive deeper?
Check out this resource from the CMM Group:
*Disclaimer: This information is provided for general reference purposes only. Mention of specific technologies, resources, or vendors does not constitute an endorsement by the Center for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering or its partners.
News & Updates
CSE3 Brings Pollution Prevention Across NC: 4 Workshops, 1 Mission
In 2025, the Center for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering (CSE3) deepened its commitment to pollution prevention (P2) by organizing four in-person workshops across North Carolina, bringing together professionals from companies representing a wide range of manufacturing sectors. These events created opportunities for meaningful conversations around reducing pollution, improving operational efficiency, and advancing sustainable business practices. By rotating locations—from Greenville to Washington, Pittsboro, and Sanford—CSE3 ensured that manufacturers across the state had access to timely and relevant resources that support their sustainability goals.
Each workshop featured practical content on topics such as:
- Pollution prevention and source reduction in manufacturing
- Operational efficiency
- Environmental audits and management systems
- Sustainable supply chain management
- Environmental stewardship
- Business resources
CSE3 was proud to welcome industry representatives from companies such as Avient and Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, as well as faculty experts from East Carolina University’s College of Business and College of Engineering and Technology. Their contributions offered valuable insights into integrating sustainability into business strategy, implementing environmental management systems, and leveraging student interns to support pollution prevention initiatives. CSE3 also thanks the Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC) for providing guidance on financial tools and business resources available to companies pursuing sustainable practices.
In Sanford, NC, the most recent workshop was enriched by remarks from the CEO of the Sanford Area Growth Alliance, who provided meaningful context on the region’s economic history and emphasized that nearly 30% of Lee County’s economy is driven by manufacturing. His insights highlighted both the importance and urgency of supporting sustainable growth in the region. With participation from a diverse mix of industries, these workshops reflect CSE3’s ongoing mission to raise awareness, deliver practical tools, and empower North Carolina manufacturers to lead in sustainability and pollution prevention.
Upcoming Events
Sanford | Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center (Room 103)
Address: 1801 Nash St, Sanford, NC 27330
June 19 – Industrial Energy Efficiency Improvement
June 20 – Compressed Air System Efficiency
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Includes complimentary breakfast, lunch, parking, certificate
Hosted in partnership with the Sanford Area Growth Alliance
Greenville | ISO 50001 AND 14001 Technical Courses
The Center for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering at ECU, in collaboration with Pitt County Economic Development and the Greenville Eastern North Carolina Alliance is offering two in-person technical courses on ISO 50001 and ISO 14001, scheduled for July 30 and 31 in Greenville, NC. Each day runs from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: Greenville, NC (Isley Innovation Hub – Room 167; East Carolina University)
Day 1: July 30 — ISO 50001 a Framework Fueling Carbon Neutrality
Day 2: July 31 — ISO 14001-Building the Sustainable Backbone for Green Industry
Have questions? Contact cse3@ecu.edu
Thanks for reading!