If you’ve ever walked past an auto body shop and smelled the fumes, that’s VOCs — volatile organic compounds. Released into the air, these VOCs combine with small particles to form harmful smog. They can also affect the health of employees and customers at a business, as well as that of the surrounding community.
Clean Air Minnesota partners have taken on the challenge of reducing the emissions of VOCs from small businesses, where VOCs are typically found in solvents used in paint, metal finishing, printing, and other industrial processes. Since many of the sources of VOCs are not regulated in the traditional sense, CAM partners are pursuing a voluntary approach, with strategies including grants, education and outreach, training, and direct technical assistance.
There are many ways small businesses can both streamline their processes and reduce emissions, but often they need help with the upfront costs. The MPCA recently awarded over $500,000 in grant funding to 13 small businesses for projects such as converting to water-based paint at an auto body shop or switching to powder-coat paint in a manufacturing plant. Together, these projects will reduce almost seven tons of VOCs every year for years to come. Some of these grants were awarded to small businesses in dense, urban communities that are disproportionately affected by air pollution.
The MPCA grant program grew from the great example of the Minneapolis Green Business grant program, a working partnership between Environmental Initiative, MPCA, and the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP). Since 2012, this program has awarded $270,000 in cost-sharing grants, leveraging $1.25 million in total investments — reducing more than 15 tons of VOCs.
Many businesses can not only reduce emissions but save money by operating more efficiently. During the past year, MnTAP has engaged more than 400 people and trained more than 100 operators in 120 communities throughout Minnesota. These trainings, outreach campaigns, pilot projects, and direct technical assistance have cut a potential of 46 tons of VOCs. Find out more about MnTAP’s VOC efforts.
In addition, Environmental Initiative has helped with outreach and education to businesses by convening and facilitating this collaboration, and is currently working on ways to secure additional funding for businesses to reduce VOC emissions. Visit Environmental Initiative’s website to learn more.
Together, these coalition partners have reduced VOCs by more than 68 tons per year — equivalent to about 136,000 cans of spray paint.