The University of Northern Iowa gets a $175,000 EPA grant to help breweries go green and reduce waste.
The grant comes from the EPA’s Pollution Prevention Grant Program. UNI’s Iowa Waste Reduction Center will share its expertise with universities in Nebraska, Missouri, and Kansas. They’ll help these schools create programs to cut down on waste in breweries.
Joe Bolick, who runs the Iowa Waste Reduction Center, mentioned they might even team up with programs across the U.S. to spread the word. They plan to make videos, case studies, and webinars to help out.
Bolick expressed pride in their work over the past several years. He believes this grant will let them expand their efforts beyond Iowa. The center has been around since 1987, helping local businesses adopt greener practices.
They’ve worked with companies in all 99 counties, focusing mainly on rural manufacturers. A few years back, they turned their attention to the craft brewing scene, which has really taken off in Iowa.
Back then, there were about 40 breweries. Now, that number has more than tripled! The Iowa Green Brewery Certification program helps these breweries assess their environmental impact and improve their practices.
They start with an audit, using a checklist to see where the brewery stands. Then, they work together to create a plan to enhance their certification while keeping profits up.
Bolick noted that these improvements often lead to better financial outcomes for the breweries. The grant will help them package their successful methods for other states to use.
DeAndré Singletary from the EPA highlighted the impact of their grants over the years. Since 2011, they’ve given out 500 grants, leading to significant reductions in greenhouse gases and water usage.
He emphasized that these projects not only cut pollution but also inspire future environmental advocates.
