P2 Institute to Help N.Y. Businesses Improve Practices

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The New York State Pollution Prevention Institute opened its doors to the public last week, offering a peek at the center that will help businesses reduce toxic chemical use and improve green manufacturing.

The institute, known as NYSP2I, is headquartered at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) but draws from a network of universities and research centers from around the state to operate 16 research and development test beds.

Polymer processing and testing will take place at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, environmental engineering of nanomaterials and printing applications at RIT, green processing and biofuels at Clarkson University, and sustainable chemistry processes at the University of Buffalo.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation awarded RIT a $2 million grant to establish and operate the institute. Specific areas of focus include alternative cleaning technologies, remanufacturing and recycling process development, sustainable design and green product assessment. The institute takes a two-pronged approach: direct technical assistance for companies and sharing information and best practices.

Many companies generally worry that adopting environmentally friendly practices is expensive, said NYSP2I Spokesman William Dube. "The perception is getting better," Dube said.

RIT's experience working with industry has saved companies money and reduced waste. For example, a research team helped several manufacturers develop and implement enhanced surface cleaning processes that cut hazardous waste generation 98 percent. Energy use dropped and the firms enjoyed cumulative annual savings of $258,000.

[Correction: an earlier version of this article incorrectly listed the Empire State Development as providing the grant to the NYSP2I. We regret the error.]

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