Starting next month, food and beverage manufacturers and processors have the opportunity to participate in a no-cost Lean manufacturing course. This course aims to help manufacturers reduce environmental impacts related to the use of energy, water, waste, and toxics through changes in processes, equipment, and behavior. Offered by the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI), and Mount Wachusett Community College, with support from an EPA Region 1 Healthy Communities grant, this free course provides a $3,000 value. Managers of facilities located in the North Central and Merrimack Valley areas of Massachusetts will be given priority for participation.

The tools and principles reviewed through the course can be applied to evaluate and measure Pollution Prevention (P2) resulting from adjustments to processing practices, equipment, and behavior.

To further impact from the program, each participant will implement a class project at their facility that applies the concepts learned throughout the course. Examples of projects may include:

• Evaluating opportunities for waste reduction through modifications in current packaging.
• Reducing food waste through enhanced inventory management strategies.
• Limiting the use of toxic materials, such as cleaning products, throughout a facility.

Click here to view more information about this no-cost educational opportunity for food and beverage manufacturers and processors.

Food and beverage manufacturers seeking continual improvement in operations can also take advantage of resources offered through RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts (RecyclingWorks), including resources to comply with the organics waste ban, a food waste estimation guide, and no-cost technical assistance to provide one-on-one support. To speak to a RecyclingWorks recycling expert, call our hotline: (888) 254-5525 or email us at info@recyclingworksma.com.