
The
Oregon Applied Sustainability Experience internship program connects talented
engineering, chemistry, sustainability and environmental science students with
Oregon businesses for pollution prevention research projects. Projects focus on
reducing toxic chemicals, energy, water use and waste, jointly benefitting the
businesses’ bottom lines and Oregon’s natural resources.
Oregon businesses host interns for 10 weeks during the summer. Interns
receive a stipend and travel support, and are paired with a technical advisor and
an academic mentor who provides additional support and resources.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Oregon Sea
Grant partner to administer the program, creating the following benefits:
- Allow businesses to find solutions to
sustainability-related challenges they may not otherwise develop or implement.
- Help businesses improve processes and
materials using pollution prevention techniques and principles.
- Provide students with practical experience
applying sustainability principles through hands-on internships. Participation
in the program will allow students to strengthen their networks, build their
resumes and improve their potential job opportunities.
2017
Results
Interns worked with host
businesses: the Craft Brew Alliance, EcNow Tech, Hummingbird Wholesale, Lamb
Weston, and West Linn Paper. After receiving training, interns worked onsite at
the host company to gain a deep understanding of that host’s unique processes
and challenges.
Oregon’s
first cohort of interns achieved impressive results. If host businesses
implemented the interns’ recommendations, they could annually:
- Save nearly $900,000
- Reduce water use by 60
million gallons
Decrease solid or hazardous materials by 8.5 tons
Last year’s host businesses
fully endorse the intern program
“Our intern experience was
very helpful. Our intern was responsible and reliable, and helped focus our
team on important improvements to our processes. The program administration
process was efficient and effective, too.” —Penny Machinski, West
Linn Paper Company
“Hosting an intern
was immensely valuable for Craft Brew Alliance, resulting in tools that are
helping us save resources, and projects that have been installed!"—Julia Person, Craft Brew Alliance
2018 Internship: June 25-Aug
31
2018 cohort, pictured left to right:
Sharlee Hughes, Portland State University-New
Seasons Market; Ashley Baker, University of Oregon-Northwest Green Chemistry; Maya
Vigil, University of Oregon-NOSSA Familia Coffee and Oregon Coffee Board’ Jensen
Perrick, Portland State University-Columbia Sportswear; Jake Price, Oregon
State University-Boeing; Emily Hodges, Oregon State University-Craft Brew
Alliance; Anika Sarkar, Oregon State University-Knife River Concrete.
Funding
The Oregon
Applied Sustainability Experience internship program was funded by a 2016-18
EPA Pollution Prevention Grant to place 12 interns with businesses. Future
program development is dependent on identifying and obtaining funding. Please
contact program coordinators for funding opportunities.
Call for Applicants
Students:
The Oregon Applied Sustainability Experience wants
you as a paid intern to conduct pollution prevention research at a local
business. Visit Oregon
Sea Grant’s webpage to learn more.
Businesses:
The Oregon Applied Sustainability Experience internship program wants
you to host a 10-week, free intern to conduct pollution prevention research at
your business.
Your business may be able to address waste reduction and energy efficiency
projects sooner and faster with the help of an intern. An intern can make
suggestions that improve efficiency, save money, reduce waste, or decrease
regulatory requirements.
The
application deadline has passed. We anticipate advertising the next opportunity
in winter 2019. Contact Lisa Cox to receive an email update for future
opportunities.
What is
pollution prevention?
Pollution prevention is any practice that reduces, eliminates, or prevents pollution
at its source, also known as "source reduction." Implementing best
practices can improve efficiency, prevent wasted resources and save money.