Pollution Prevention Challenge

Pollution Prevention Challenge

The Art of Preventing Pollution Before it Begins

The best way to deal with pollution is to prevent it from being created in the first place. This means finding new efficiencies, doing things smarter and valuing every resource.

Each December, the McWane Pollution Prevention Challenge (P2C) contest brings together teams from across the McWane family of companies to have their ideas judged for innovation, simplicity, cost savings, and environmental benefits. Since the inaugural competition in 2011, those ideas have generated more than $19 million in company wide savings.  

The P2C competition has changed the way we think, and has served as the hallmark of our efforts toward sustainability and environmental stewardship. 

Pollution Prevention Winners

2019

First Place: M&H Valve
Pattern Changes

Second Place: Clow Canada
Plastic Reduction

Third Place (tie): McWane Ductile - Utah
Special Linings Shot Reuse

Third Place (tie): McWane Ductile - Utah
Test Press Pad (Bell Blocks)

Why Didn’t I Think of That?:   McWane Ductile - Ohio
Blackening Tank Reduction

Energy Efficiency (E2) Award: Clow Valve 
Iron Melt Reductions

2018

First place: AB&I Foundry
Innovative use of cupola as an oxidation device

Second place: Tyler Union
Sand reclamation enhancements

Third place (tie):  M&H Valve Company 
Replaced sand pig molds with castable pig molds

Third Place (tie): McWane Ductile - Ohio
ISO core machine waste sand reduction

"Why Didn't I Think of That" Award: Anaco/Clow Corona
Non-RCRA Hazardous Waste Bulk Management

Energy Efficiency (E2) Award: Kennedy Valve Company
Dust collection solutions with better pulse valve technology

2017

First place:  McWane Ductile - Ohio
Cupola Bottom Drop

Second place:  Amerex 
Compressed Air Monitoring

Third place: McWane Ductile - Utah 
Bundling Station Paint Mats

"Why Didn't I Think Of That" Award:
Manchester Tank Elkhart - Dry Lubricant Reduction
McWane Ductile - Utah - Wood Dunnage Reduction

2016

First place: McWane Ductile - Utah
Refractory Consolidation and Controls

Second place:  McWane Ductile - Ohio
Reduction of Casting Trough Coating

Third place: Kennedy Valve Company 
Core Oven Heat Curtains

"Why Didn't I Think Of That" Award:
Amerex - Reduction of Waste Caused by Spent Rugs
McWane Ductile - Utah - Cupola Spout Refractory Conservation
Clow Canada - D67M Elbow Casting Material Reduction

2015

First place: Clow Valve
Low Lead Brass

Second place: McWane Ductile - Utah
Waste Sand Cement Reuse

Third place: Manchester Tank & Equipment - Quincy 
P2 Projects

"Why Didn't I Think Of That" Award:
Amerex - Reusable Bin Systems
Kennedy Valve - Heat Recovery 


2014

First place: Clow Canada
Pattern Modification

Second place: Amerex
Dry Paint Racks

Third place (tie):
Manchester Tank & Equipment - Elkhart
Heat Recovery

Pacific States
Finishing-Cement Line Water Reduction

"Why Didn't I Think of That?" Award:
Pacific States - Melting-Coke Breeze
Clow Canada - Passivation Improvements


2013

First place: Pacific States
Lime Reduction

Second place: AB&I

Dropout Coke Injector

Third place: Manchester Tank, Bedford
Raw Material Reduction Hot Oil Tank

“Why Didn’t I Think of It?” Award Winners:
Kennedy Valve - Stormwater Improvements
Clow Valve, Oskaloosa -  TGIC Reclaim Expansion
Manchester Tank, Elkhart - Round Seam Flux Elimination

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2012

First place: Atlantic States
Bell and Spigot Plugs

Second place: Clow Valve

Elimination of Cooling Water

Third place: Kennedy Valve
Lighting System Upgrade

“Why Didn’t I Think of It?” Award Winners:
Clow Canada — VOC Reduction
Atlantic States Pipe Bundling and Strapping
Clow Valve Rubber Ink Stamp

2011

First place: MTE Elkhart
Product Packaging Reduction/Recycling/Reuse — Local Delivery

Second place: M&H Valve
Trash Compactor Conversion — Landfill Waste Reduction

Third place: MTE Elkhart
Dry Lubricant Product Substitution

The impressive scope of ideas, energetic presentations and passion on display by team members from different facilities was an inspiration. Together we can tackle pollution. We hope more facilities participate in future P2C contests.

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