• iStock_000053483596_Full-1000x343 Waste Reduction Partners
    WRP engineers uncover 7-15% in energy cost savings through assessments.
  • iStock_000031285728_Double(1)-ss32 Waste Reduction Partners
    Senior advisors share knowledge on zero waste to landfill strategies.
  • iStock_000029306680_Medium_1000x342 Waste Reduction Partners
    Benchmarking building energy performance helps optimize operations and drive investments.
  • food_waste_photo_edit2 Waste Reduction Partners
    No-cost food waste reduction assessments
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What's New

  • No-Cost Food Waste Reduction Assessments +

    Read More
  • NC Purchasing Toolkit (Draft) +

    A guide to help North Carolina public and private purchasing agents buy recycled content products. Read More
  • USDA Small Business Energy Assessments +

    Rural small businesses and farms can request an energy efficiency assessment. Read More
  • Triangle Water Assessments +

    Read More
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Welcome to Waste Reduction Partners

Waste Reduction Partners helps organizations meet environmental, energy and carbon management goals through waste reduction, water and energy efficiency and renewable strategies that save money.  The WRP team conducts on-site assessments, providing specific improvement recommendations with cost/benefit analysis utilizing a team of highly-experienced engineers, scientists and staff,

Initiate an Assessment

 

WRP technical assistance and consulting services are provided at no cost to our clients, funded by government-sponsored grants, utility contracts, and private contributions. These services are non-regulatory, delivered with quick turn-around and provided to businesses and institutions located in North Carolina. Click to Initiate an Assessment    

 

 

  • Waste Reduction Partners has recommended more than $108 million annual savings in energy efficiency strategies to over 1,000 businesses in NC,
    Read More
  • Waste Reduction Partners has helped clients save over 1.5 billion gallons per year of water, which is an annual savings of over $15 million.
    Read More
  • Since 2000, WRP has helped clients find ways to reduce or recycle over 267,000 tons of solid waste headed to landfills and save over $16 million.
    Read More
  • WRP facilitates E3 services to enterprises in North Carolina with process intensive businesses or services. Funded by the EPA.
    Read More
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Engage With WRP

Take advantage of the Waste Reduction Partners’ no-cost services to improve your operations and economic competitiveness.  Learn more about our dynamic team of retired and senior professionals .  Consider volunteering!

 Initiate an Assessment

WRP technical assistance is provided at no cost to our clients, funded by government-sponsored grants, contracts, and private contributions. North Carolina only. Click to Initiate an Assessment

 Our Team

Waste Reduction Partners is uniquely staffed with retired engineers, scientists, and staff who share their expertise with businesses and communities across North Carolina. More>

Volunteer

Waste Reduction Partners is actively searching for part-time, retired engineers and scientists with industrial or facilities management experience to staff our expanding program. More>

 Webinar Announcement

 

Energy and Nutrient Optimization for Municipal

Wastewater Treatment Plants

 

Presented by:  EPA Region 4, NC DEQ, Waste Reduction Partners

 

What: Activated sludge plants across the country have been able to reduce energy costs and improve nutrient removal by making simple, low-cost operational changes. This course will equip operators with the foundation to identify opportunities to reduce energy costs and optimize nutrient removal.

Attendees will:

  • Review the fundamentals of biological treatment and nutrient removal
  • Understand how to maximize performance and minimize electrical costs
  • Learn to recognize plant capabilities beyond what is in the O&M manual

Who:

Dr. Larry Moore has 45 years of wastewater treatment plant design and troubleshooting experience. From 1983 until 2018, Dr. Moore taught undergraduate and graduate environmental engineering courses and conducted applied research at the University of Memphis. Over the last decade, Dr. Moore helped conduct energy conservation projects for approximately 60 municipal wastewater treatment plants in Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia, and Mississippi. These projects were funded by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. He received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of South Alabama in 1973 and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Mississippi State University in 1974 and 1983, respectively.

Grant Weaver is a licensed wastewater operator and professional engineer. Born in Kansas, Grant now lives in Connecticut. Grant is a contrarian who gets pleasure from empowering wastewater operators to make treatment plants work better than those who design and regulate them believe they should.

 

When: Thursdays from February 11 – April 29, 2021 - 10:00 to 11:45 a.m. EST

You must register to attend these free webinars.  register button png 18466

 

Continuing Education Credits: CE credits will be made available to North Carolina wastewater operators. Attendees must attend the two-session groupings shown below to receive the credit hours indicated. Operators seeking CE credit outside of North Carolina may receive supporting documentation upon request.

Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (404-562-8018) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (828-707-2834)   

 

Agenda Topics 

Date (2021) Topic(s)    Presenter(s)  CE Credit Grouping

Feb 11   

Welcomes, Course Overview,
Introduction to  Biological Nitrogen Removal, Part 1
Webinar Recording 2/11/21
Presentation:


Brendan Held, Corey Basinger,
Larry Moore, Terry Albrecht and Grant Weaver

CE01212101
(2.5 Hours) 

Feb 18                       

Introduction to Biological Nitrogen Removal, Part 2
Webinar Recording 2/18/21
Presentation:

              

Grant Weaver

Feb 25

Activated Sludge Introduction: O2 demand and supply
Webinar Recording 2/25/21

Presentation:

Larry Moore

CE01212102
(3.0 Hours)

Mar 4

Activated Sludge & Bio-Tiger Model
Webinar Recording 3/4/21


 
                

Larry Moore

Mar 11

Introduction to Biological Phosphorus Removal, Part 1
Webinar Recording 3/11/21

Grant Weaver

CE01212103
(3.0 Hours)

Mar 18

Introduction to Biological Phosphorus Removal, Part 2
Webinar Recording 3/18/21

Grant Weaver

Mar 25

North Carolina Case Studies Part 1 Brainstorm/whiteboard session/teaching applications
Webinar Recording 3/25/21

Grant Weaver

CE01212104
(3.0 Hours)

Apr 1

No webinar session, pilot site visits

N/A

Apr 8

North Carolina Case Studies Part 2 
Webinar Recording 4/8/21

Grant Weaver

Apr 15

Energy Management, Part 1
Webinar Recording 4/15/21

Terry Albrecht, Ron Haynes

CE01212105
(3.0 Hours)

Apr 22

Energy Management, Part 2
Webinar Recording 4/22/21

Terry Albrecht, Ron Haynes

Apr 29

North Carolina Case Studies, Part 3, One month follow-up, wrap-up
Webinar Recording 4/29/21

Grant Weaver, Brendan Held

CE01212106
(1.5 Hours)

 

Additional Resources:

Nutrient Removal Optimization: Case Studies
Pilot Partnership for Optimization Pays Off, Streamlines, December 2019

EPA Case Study: Alexander City, Al. December 2016 

 

Energy Management Guides

Wastewater Energy Management BMP Handbook 2019


  

WRP Services During COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the WRP team is serving clients with virtual technical consultations to help address specific energy, water, environmental and cost-reduction project goals. The following lists review some the services that the WRP technical team can provide as adaptations of our on-site, holistic assessment visits:

 

Energy Management Services During the Pandemic

WRP virtual energy assessments may be easiest to accomplish when the client has specific project needs as opposed to our normal “holistic” approach. A successful virtual assessment will be dependent upon a client furnishing needed information which may include the following, depending on the specific project:

  • 12-month utility history (always needed)
  • Lighting layout (count) and fixture types
  • HVAC information (many times photos of nameplates will work)
  • Building size and layout
  • Operating hours and occupancy count

Virtual assessments require more interaction and correspondence with the client via email, video and conference calls than normal site visits. PDF’s of lighting and HVAC system inventories and layouts can be valuable, if available, as well as site photos of equipment and nameplates.

 

Remote technical assistance/assessments we can provide include the following:

  • Utility review, facility benchmarking
  • Lighting upgrades
  • HVAC replacement evaluation
  • Recommissioning needs
  • Water heating replacement evaluation
  • Motor replacement evaluation
  • Other equipment replacement evaluation
  • REAP energy assessments
  • Maintenance review

 

Water Efficiency Assistance – Virtual Assistance

Many of the WRP Water Team on-site assessment activities can still be performed remotely with client cooperation with pre-assessment data requests and some extra communications via conference calls for information sharing. Here’s a partial list of activities and services.

  • Analyze water-use information to determine if usage is in a normal range and benchmarks with similar organizations, as well as identifying anomalies.
  • Create water balance charts to further define where water is being used and determine if unaccounted for water indicates a leak.
  • Calculate water use on existing equipment, fixtures and appliances such as cooling towers, parts washers, toilets, sinks, dishwashers, clothes washers, and drinking fountains through photographs/descriptions of name plates. Provide performance standards for new equipment.
  • Reevaluate the appropriateness of meter size for current water use.
  • In conjunction with customer personnel, measure toilet, shower heads and sink flows and determine cost/benefit analysis of upgrades.
  • Conduct interviews by phone with customer personnel to ascertain possible problem areas.
  • Address current outdoor irrigation practice and review opportunities for improvements.

 

Solid Waste Assistance – What We Can Do for You Remotely:

The WPR Solid Waste Team is still able to serve you effectively remotely to address many of your waste reduction and recycling objectives.

  • Discuss your facility’s by-products and explore potential recycling outlets or other management solutions.
  • Provide a list of service providers that serve your geographic area.
  • Share best management practices (BMPs) and case studies regarding what other businesses have done to develop a green team, reduce waste and/or improve their recycling program.
  • Share resources that will help you reach your particular solid waste reduction goals.

It is important the that the client provides the following information to assist our team’s remote research:

  • Copy of one month’s solid waste and recycling service billing.
  • Estimates of volumes or weights generated.
  • Pictures of the by-products your facility hopes to divert from the waste stream.
  • Product specifications, safety data sheets, or other information to help understand the composition of waste streams.

 

Request Assistance Today!

To request no-cost assistance, click to Initiate a Project on the Waste Reduction Partners website and a team lead with contact you soon.

 

No-Cost Food Waste Reduction Assessments

 In the U.S., it is estimated that 24% of food that is grown ends up in a landfill or incinerator.*  Much of this waste happens in our homes, but businesses along the food supply chain have a significant role to play in making our food systems more efficient.  Businesses that address food waste reduction strategies will save on disposal costs, improve job satisfaction among employees and enhance public relations.  
 

WRP can help.  Our Solid Waste Team can conduct assessments for dining halls, restaurants, food distributors, food manufacturers, grocery stores, and more!  We can work with large and small businesses, schools, and government entities.   WRP’s no-cost on-site assessments will examine opportunities to:  

 

  • Minimize food waste,  
  • Connect to donation outlets,  
  • Link up with composting businesses, and    
  • Share best practices and peer success stories.   

Initiate a project with us today to start reducing waste and saving money.

 

*source - ReFed

 
 
 
 

 

 COVID-19 Response: Utility Management Resources

 

Webinars

 
Energy Saving Strategies during COVID-19

The latest incentives and energy management resources by Duke Energy and Dominion Energy for business and institutional customers

8/12/2020 Webinar Recording 

 

Controlling Utility Costs during COVID-19: NC Hospitality and Tourism 

5/7/2020 Webinar Recording

 
Demystifing Cleaning in the Age of COVID-19

5/5/2020 Webinar Recording

 
Managing Energy during Facility Shutdowns

For Public Facilities

3/26/2020 Webinar Recording

 
Managing Energy During Curtailment and Shutdown

For NC Manufacturers

4/14/2020 Webinar Recording

 

Presentations and Guidance

Updated 4/23/2020 COVID-19 AHU Recommendations - Appalachian State Energy Programs

State of North Carolina Comprehensive Resource Site: COVID-19 Response

Including Executive Order 124, pertaining to Utility Provider prohibitions

https://www.nc.gov/covid19 

ASHRAE FAQ Guidance on Building Shutdowns and Occupant Re-entry 
AIA Re-occupancy Assessment Tool
Restoring Water Quality in Buildings with No Use - EPA Guidance

 

 

 

 Clients WRP has assisted:

2016                                     

            Back to 2018 clients                                                                      
     

Henderson County Environmental     

 

 Verity Recycling

Sweetwater Logistics                     

 

 Barnyard Door Nursery               

Demmel Inc

 

 Bonar

Town of Maysville

 

 Blue Star Hospitality/Clarion Hotel

International Textile Group

 

 Jeff Ambrose Farm

Leggett & Platt (Linwood)

 

 Garden Environments

Guilford College Dining Hall

 

 ThermoFisher

Putsch Group

 

 Highland Brewery

Elastic Therapy

 

 Burch Farms

American Recycling of WNC

 

 Industries For The Blind

Durham Public Schools

 

 Craftmaster--Plant 4

Doubletree Hotel

 

 Cardinal Container

Cree

 

Onslow County Govt Bldg

Brisco Apparel

 

 Mayland CC--Pinebridge Coliseum

NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

 

 Art of Living Retreat Center-

Parkway Crossing Apartment

 

 Karrimont Farm

Hinton Rural Life Center

 

 Berry Farms/Zelenka

Planters Produce

 

 Car-Mel Products

Palmer Instruments

 

 Wind Chime Nursery

Goldhagen Art Glass Studio

 

 Piedmont Carolina Nursery

Carolinas Heathcare System

 

 Teknion

Herbalife

 

 William Barnet & Sons

Carolina Store Fixtures

 

 Target

Donnell Kornegay Farms

 

 Ingles

Country Farm & Home

 

 International Auto Components

Grubb Farm LLC

 

 Industries of The Blind

Carroll Leather--Boone facility

 

 Global Textile Alliance

Caterpillar BCP--5000 Bldg

 

 City Beverage

Two Rivers Community School

 

 M- Realty - DBA Wellington Estates

Piedmont Funeral Home 

 

 B& M Contractors, Inc

Hank Ross & Son Dairy

 

 Scism Farm

Ashe Co. Partnership  -  Children      

 

 Glen Arden Elementary School

Davidson Funeral Home

 

 Ardenwoods Retirement 

Reynolds Middle School

 

 Global Textile Alliance

WilsonArt

 

 Acucote

Days Inn, Blue Star Hospitality

 

Oak Valley Hardwoods

Burrus Red & White

 

 Delhaize (Food Lion)

Arauco--MDF Bldg

 

 Veneer Technologies, Inc.

Warren Wilson College

 

Fort Bragg-DPW Energy Group

Henderson County--Courthouse/Jail

 

 Starmount Country Club

Wilmington Convention Center

 

 Kingsdown, Inc

Leggett & Platt - Branch 1506

 

 Chetola Resort

Curt Campbell

 

 Millwood UMC

Consolidated Metco Inc.

 

 Clark's Landscaping

A Caring Alternative--1 North Sq.

 

 Bullard Farms

Boone Industries

 

 The Scrap Exchange

International Paper

 

 JAARS, Inc.

RSI Home Products

 

 Publix

University at N. C.  at Wilmington

 

 NC Arboretum

Royal Development

 

 Nelson's Nursery

Reedy Creek Labs

 

Linamar

Galloway Ridge

 

 Brevard Music Center

Across Country 

 

 Chase Farm

Pet Poo Skiddoo

 

 3 Weed Farm

Environmental Recycling Alternatives

 

 Jimmy MItchell Farm

Rainbow Recycling

 

 Stanley Black & Decker

Champion Home Builders

 

 New Hope Presbyterian Church

Fullsteam Brewery                                                   

 

 Go Triangle Regional Transit

R.J. Reynolds

 

 Fukutomi Green Products Inc

Formulated Fuels

 

 Raleigh State Farmers Market

Painters Greenhouse

 

 Dudley Nurseries

Bikram Yoga Brevard

 

 Metrolina Greenhouses

Bark House

 

 Verity Recycling

Ferguson Supply

 

 J & M Recycling

Leggett & Platt

 

 Wood Farm

Cold Mountain Nursery

 

 Plastic Materials

Iredell County Ag Extension

 

 PIC Plastic industrial Co. Inc.

B.W. Barwick Farms LLC

 

 B. B. Barns

Sav A Lot

 

 VT Leeboy

Henderson County

   

Register For Updated Information

WRP News

  • icon Selee - WRP Effort -Lean & Green Training
  • icon WRP Recognized for Role in Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Program
  • icon WOI Improves Manufacturing Competitiveness through “Lean & Green”
  • Energy Audits Offer Competitive Edge
Ten Selee staff members participated in a Lean & Green Workshop led by Waste Reduction Partners. Read More
On May 14, 2015, the Waste Reduction Partners team was recognized for its “exemplary work and dedication assisting North Carolina facilities” as part of a Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Project conducted by the Air Quality Division of the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Read More
Through a tightly-focused and intensive program facilitated by Waste Reduction Partners, Watauga Opportunities, Incorporated, (WOI) improved productivity at a major medical production line by 25% and made changes to achieve an immediate reduction in energy costs. Read More
Small businesses, from convenience stores to machine shops, can discover ways to reduce their electric bills with a USDA - sponsored energy audit. Waste Reduction Partners’ team of energy professionals can help you achieve significant energy cost savings, often by implementing no-cost/low-cost energy saving recommendations. Read More

Latest WRP Resources

  • 15001 Ready! A Tool to Pursue an Energy Management System +

    Read More
  • Upgrading Linear Fluorescent Fixtures to LED +

    Read More
  • Sustainability for North Carolina Breweries +

    Read More
  • WRP Digital Brochure +

    Read More
  • EPA’s Portfolio Manager: Understanding Building Energy Use Benchmarks +

    Read More
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What Our Clients Say

  • Many thanks to you and your staff for the guidance we received through Waste Reduction Partners and specifically the Energy Audit your organization provided. We are most appreciative of the professionalism displayed and expert assistance provided by your team. Based upon my positive experience, I would wholeheartedly encourage other small businesses to strongly conisder utilizing this and other services offered by Waste Reduction Partners. | Roger Cargo | Global Textile Alliance | Reidsville, NC
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