The Regional Pollution Prevention (P2) Grant Program provides grants to promote innovative P2 approaches to reduce the generation of waste and critical pollutants in the State. As of January 7, 2004, $800,000 has been granted to 10 recipients to allow them to implement regional P2 projects that will result in measurable reductions in the generation of waste. The Regional P2 Grants Program to date has resulted in a reduction of over 4000 gallons solvent and related vapors use to clean parts at automotive service facilities, the reused of 59,737 used tires as a drain field media, a total of 700,000 pounds of electronic wastes collected for recycling (i.e. computers, monitors, printers, televisions etc.) including the recovery of 490,000 pounds of lead, 2,646 pounds of Chromium, 3,948 pounds of Cadmium, 924 pounds of Mercury.
Grant project summaries:
- Northern Economic Initiatives Corporation in Marquette worked with fish processors in the Lake Superior Basin area to implement and develop compost for specialty markets, such as greenhouse operations, bagged potting soils, and the organic growers markets. The project has begun composting to recycle 15,000 pounds of fish processing waste and will provide guidance and recommendations for implementing a large-scale operation.
- Central Lake Superior Watershed partnership in Marquette implemented a community-based pollution prevention program for Lake Superior that provides technical assistance to businesses for reducing the storm water impacts of critical pollutants to Lake Superior. A comprehensive strategy for implementing the business education component of the project has been developed, and the storm water monitoring stations have been identified and established. In addition, the project has been featured in several public presentations and publications.
- Washtenaw County Division of Public Works has established the Washtenaw County Computer Recovery Program that is recovering lead, metals, mercury and plastics from computers and other related electronic devices. Through the grant, the county surveyed over 800 local businesses to assess the need for a permanent electronic equipment reuse and recycling program. The findings, which also included an assessment on the quality of electronic equipment available for recycling/reuse, were presented at the 2002 Michigan Recycling Coalition’s Annual Education Conference. As a result of the survey findings, the County established, in partnership with Recycle Ann Arbor, a drive through drop off station where citizens can deposit their electronic waste for recycling and de-manufacture.
- The City of Detroit is implementing a Salvage Yard Pollution Prevention pilot program that will work with salvage yards in Southeast Michigan to promote best management practices and pollution prevention. The Automotive Recyclers of Michigan is working with the city to assist in identifying possible sites for demonstration projects
- Delta County and Menominee District Health Department are implementing a regional approach to reducing critical pollutants generated from medical waste. The grantees conducted a video conference which included representatives from 11 Upper Peninsula hospitals and the Upper Peninsula Health Care Network to learn about the available resources for the reduction of critical pollutants generated from medical waste.
- Michigan State University provided technical assistance to the apple growing industry on Integrated Pest Management to reduce broad-spectrum insecticides by 50 percent. Eighteen commercial orchards participated in the first commercial deployment of plum curculio traps, with the goal of monitoring populations and making management decisions based on captures. Program participants have reduced the use of organophosphorus insecticide sprays for beetle control. Hand-applied and sprayable pheromone formulations are being evaluated as controls for leafrollers.
- Automotive repair shops are getting greener under the grant managed in partnership by the Flint River Watershed Coalition, the Genesee County Health Department, and U of M - Flint. Through their efforts, eighteen area facilities are using aqueous parts cleaning solutions rather than toxic or combustible solvents. This eliminates these sources of air emissions. In addition, most facilities prefer the ‘green’ solutions as they are not toxic for the employees to breathe or handle.
- Central Michigan Health Department is implementing a tire recycling demonstration project to increase public acceptability of use of chipped tires in lieu of stone as the media for septic drain field installation. The project addresses the health risks arising out of stockpiled tires, and looks at barriers and best practices in substituting recycled tires for mined stone.
- Macomb County Public Health is implementing pollution prevention technologies for boat maintenance and repair facilities, boatyards and salvage yards. The county will provide technical assistance to boat maintenance and repair facility operators to reduce critical pollutants through the adoption of pollution prevention technology and best-management practices. The project includes the development of a training manual for use by operators statewide.
