The mission of the Pollution Prevention RETAP-Internship Program (P2RIP) is to provide RETAP assessed companies with technical assistance to implement pollution prevention while providing practical educational opportunities to Michigan college students.  This accomplished through a partnership with Michigan institutions of higher education.

The goals for the program are to:

• Reduce the generation of waste by participating Michigan businesses and institutions.
• Provide a valuable practical learning experience for interns and companies.
• Assist small businesses in Michigan that seek interns to provide technical support in their facility to implement P2 technologies.
• Utilize RETAP professionals and DEQ staff to mentor college students to further their education and help them provide quality assistance to their host company.
• Provide information on resources to facilitate implementation of P2 recommendations.
• Collect enough information from the companies/interns to measure program results and determine effectiveness in increasing P2 awareness, implementation, and estimated reduction of waste generated.
• Share technology information with other businesses, while respecting the confidentiality and time commitment required of the participating businesses.
• Develop case studies to promote P2 technologies to others in the industry.