TUCKER, GA. — The US Poultry & Egg Association’s (USPOULTRY) 2023 Environmental Management Seminar, held Sept. 27-29 in Destin, Fla., showcased new sustainable innovations and offered regulatory updates for the industry. With topics ranging from biological treatment applications, water reuse, emissions and rendering, the seminar gave insight into areas managers can improve their environmental programs.

As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updated the definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) recently, Paul Bredwell, executive vice president of USPOULTRY, provided an overview of the regulatory changes that have taken place and what stakeholders can expect to see in the updated Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELG) due in December. Bredwell explained how the WOTUS revisions emerged from a petition for stricter guidelines for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

Tying into Bredwell’s presentation, Morgan Teachey, biologist with the EPA, offered an insider perspective on how the agency is crafting the updated ELG. The proposed guidelines will be released in December, and the final rule will be issued in August 2025.

“All of these proposals are open for comments,” she noted.

Charles Starkey, vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs at the North American Renderers Association (NARA), discussed environmental concerns for rendering operations. With the advancement of science and biotechnology paving a way for the measurement of quantities to particle levels that have never before been achieved, environmental managers are facing new challenges. Starkey said that in today’s world “zero isn’t always zero.” He noted the importance of the industry and the government working together to determine reasonable limitation levels in guidelines.

Koch Foods Regional Environmental Manager Jessica Culbert covered biological treatment applications and described the company’s process of implementing an out-of-basin membrane bioreactor (MBR) system for wastewater. Walking attendees through an overview of how the system operates, Culbert shared Koch’s initial results.

During the event, USPOULTRY awarded Tyson Foods and Wayne-Sanderson Farms with the 2023 Clean Water Award for their Russellville, Ark., and Tyler, Texas, respective plants. The award is given to facilities that excel in their commitment to treat wastewater and advance the overall sustainability of the plant.