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.
