“KERAMIDA, Inc. addressed the environmental needs of Indiana’s industries statewide by using KERAMIDA’s proprietary Jumpstart© program,” said Pamela Griesemer, Director of EMS Services for KERAMIDA.  “The Jumpstart© program identifies an industry’s manufacturing and organizational activities that may impact the environment and customizes an environmental management system to reduce such impacts, all within six days of on-site assistance. Having an EMS provides a competitive edge to an industrial facility while it assures its environmental compliance is managed in the most cost-effective way.  An EMS is the first step towards sustainable manufacturing and carbon dioxide reductions.”

IDEM Assistant Commissioner Rick Bossingham explained that IDEM encourages organizations to develop an environmental management system (EMS).  “An EMS can increase efficiency significantly, decrease adverse environmental impacts, and save businesses money, time and resources in the long run,” Bossingham said. “Participating in the Jumpstart© EMS program enabled Hoosier companies and communities to quickly develop an environmental management system tailored to their operations and needs.”

Some examples of gains that can be realized by implementing an EMS include improved energy efficiency, increased waste reduction and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, Bossingham noted that the objective of providing assistance through the Jumpstart EMS Program was to increase the number of Indiana entities using an EMS to improve their environmental performance.

“The Jumpstart©  EMS Program involves the management of participating companies and communities to look at their environmental policies, establish environmental goals, identify procedures for reducing environmental impacts, and examine how they can continue to improve their environmental performance,” said Bossingham. “It is an important part of pollution prevention in Indiana and important to IDEM’s mission of protecting Hoosiers and our environment.”

Communities that participate in the Jumpstart© EMS Program are encouraged to participate in the Indiana CLEAN Community challenge, as well. Businesses that participate in the Jumpstart© EMS Program are eligible for membership in IDEM’s Environmental Stewardship program.

The IDEM-sponsored Jumpstart© EMS Program was made possible by a grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The sessions were conducted from December 2008 through July 2009 at no cost to participants.  KERAMIDA, Inc. will continue to offer the Jumpstart© EMS Program to entities interested in their services.

More information about the Jumpstart©  EMS Program is available through KERAMIDA’s Web site at www.keramida.com/Jumpstart-EMS/about-jumpstart.html. For information about IDEM’s ESP, visit www.in.gov/idem/4132.htm. IDEM will be accepting applications for the ESP program from September 1 through October 31. For information about IDEM’s CLEAN Community programs, visit IDEM’s Web site at www.in.gov/idem/4135.htm. IDEM accepts applications for the CLEAN Community Challenge year round.

CMTI offers assistance in all manufacturing sectors, but has special expertise in plastics (including fiber reinforced plastic), wood products, metal finishing, metal and plastic coatings, foundries and motor vehicle parts manufacturing.

CMTI co-founded (in 1996), and continues to manage, the Coating Applications Research Laboratory (CARL) on the Purdue campus. The lab allows manufacturers to test state-of-the-art coating and curing technologies under the guidance of CMTI engineers expert in their application. CMTI also offers ISO14001 Environmental Management Systems (EMS) services businesses and government entities. Training and energy efficiency assessments are also provided by CMTI.

Check out the CMTI web site for an archive of Technology Transfer/Pollution Prevention Case Studies. You can also browse the CMTI Clearinghouse Bibliography online.

Any regulated entity in Indiana may participate in ESP regardless of type, size, or complexity. The program website elaborates upon the eligibility requirements. Participant benefits include, among other things, expedited and flexible permits, reduced reporting frequency, reduced recordkeeping and reporting, a press release, use of the program logo, and opportunities for networking. A complete list of incentives is available on the program web site.

According to the program website, applications for ESP are accepted twice a year, from April 1–May 31 and September 1–October 31. See the application process web page or contact the Indiana Department of Environmental Management at (800) 988-7901 for more information.