November 10, 2020
Pollution Prevention Institute receives EPA grant to provide source reduction assistance to Spirit AeroSystems
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced that the Pollution Prevention Institute at Kansas State University is among 11 organizations across nine states to receive grant funding totaling $1.16 million to support pollution prevention.
A part of Engineering Extension in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering, the Pollution Prevention Institute will receive a $132,000 Source Reduction Assistance grant to fund innovative, cost-effective, replicable source reduction approaches. The award will enable grant recipients and others to save energy and water, reduce pollution and improve public health.
The Pollution Prevention Institute will partner with the world's largest first-tier aerostructures manufacturer, Spirit AeroSystems, to provide source reduction technical assistance through investigation, studies, education, training and demonstration. The end goal will be to reduce toxic solvents, hazardous waste and emissions by 10% per airplane built, saving more than $270,000. The results will promote replication via published videos and a case study presented at various state, national and international events.
"We are excited to work with Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita and plans to amplify its success through a partnership with the Aerospace Industries Association and the International Aerospace Environmental Group," said Nancy Larson, director of the Pollution Prevention Institute. "This project would not be possible without the support of EPA and our aerospace partners."
Since the inception of the program in 2003, EPA has awarded Source Reduction Assistance grants to state, local and tribal government entities, nonprofits and university partners to work directly with U.S. businesses to develop and implement source reduction techniques.