Pollution Prevention Intern Program
Challenging, hands-on internships with the Iowa Pollution Prevention Program offer an introduction to project management through assigned projects at top Iowa companies. Interns experience a unique partnership of academia, industry and government all working together to achieve environmental and economic results. Interns apply their acquired technical skills to their assigned project to research, identify opportunities, analyze economic benefits and implement improvements.
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Peter Ernzen evaluated heat recovery options for reuse and energy conversion applications at Infastech in Decorah, Iowa.
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Common projects address:
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Lighting retrofits
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Boiler efficiency
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Heating, ventilation and cooling efficiency
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Optimization of a Compressed Air System
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Motor Efficiency
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Material Substitutions
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Resource Recovery and Reuse
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Wastewater Treatment
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Solid Waste Management Plans
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Process Improvements
Since the program began in 2001, over 265 interns have saved 155 companies more than 69 million dollars by recommending projects that conserve resources and improve processes, with dramatic environmental results. To date, the program has saved more than:
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1,236,979,617 gallons of water
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127,260 tons of solid waste
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1.5 million gallons and 729 tons of hazardous waste
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75,146 tons of special waste
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327.7 million kilowatt hours of energy
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7.6 million therms of energy
For more detailed information on recently implemented projects, review the Pollution Prevention Intern Program Case Summaries booklet.
How does the Pollution Prevention Intern Program work?
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 "Interns receive a real, significant project that they completely own throughout the whole experience. There is an excellent balance of independence and the ability to tackle the project in ways you feel best, but at the same time there is just enough guidance to keep you moving.”
John Donahoe
Eagle Window and Door
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 "As a student the Pollution Prevention Internship gives a unique opportunity to lead and develop an industry based project from beginning to end. This fosters the skills required for one’s professional discipline and can often lead to other opportunities”
Dan Newkirk
Mercy Medical Center - 2012
Montezuma Manufacturing - 2011
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| Business Perspective: |
"The progress of the project has exceeded our expectations and we will easily meet our goals."
Katy Venard
Hy-Line International |
| Previous host companies include: Cargill, Case-New Holland, DuPont Pioneer, General Mills, Pella Corporation, Polaris Industries, Procter and Gamble, Quaker Oats, Tyson Foods, Rockwell Collins and Sara Lee Foods |
Iowa businesses, institutions, or agencies submit projects for consideration
The DNR matches students with specific projects identified by Iowa businesses, institutions, or agencies, based on each student's coursework performance, experience, and technical skills.
After one week of training, the intern serves at the host facility, where they analyze the current process, research strategies, calculate cost comparisons and implement improvements. After writing a final report documenting results and recommendations, the intern presents this information to the host company and writes a case summary of his or her project.
While on-site the intern reports to a company supervisor, who provides daily supervision, company resources, and ensures company support of the project and implementation. Technical advisers with the program provide the interns with resources, tools and technical guidance they need to succeed with their project.
(Students are not trained in or qualified to assess regulatory compliance issues.)
How do I get started?
If you are an Iowa business or industry, institution, or governmental agency with a desire to improve environmental performance, are a RCRA Large Quantity Generator of hazardous waste, or your annual energy costs exceed one million dollars you are eligible to submit a 2014 intern project request.
The deadline to submit a request for a 2014 intern is December 1, 2013.
Graduate and upper-level undergraduate students who are enrolled in engineering disciplines, environmental science or physical science majors are encouraged to apply. The intern selection process will begin mid-November and continue into the spring until project assignments are finalized.
Internships typically begin in May, with 12- or 24-week project opportunities available. DNR's Pollution Prevention Services provides interns with salaries and housing stipends.
For more information, contact:
Danielle Dilks
515-281-8063
Danielle.Dilks@dnr.iowa.gov
Resources and Information