2024 intern Bella Aguirre implements a full flow meter project at host business Valence Surface Technologies.
Sustainability isn't just about environmental responsibility — it's also about innovations that cut costs and reduce waste. The Washington Applied Sustainability Internship (WASI) program pairs college students with businesses to help them achieve pollution prevention goals. This program benefits the environment and businesses, and fosters the next generation of sustainable leaders.
Host a pollution prevention intern at your business
Any business or organization in Washington is eligible to participate in the Washington Applied Sustainability Internship (WASI) program. Business applications are due February 19, 2025. WASI will recruit and pay interns an $8,500 stipend for a 10-week internship.
We’re searching for five projects to fund, and encourage projects in these industries:
- Food and beverage manufacturing and processing
- Chemical manufacturing, processing, and formulation
- Automotive manufacturing and maintenance
- Aerospace product and parts manufacturing and maintenance
- Metal manufacturing and fabrication
- Support pollution prevention in Indian country
Contact Jenny Yoo, Department of Ecology toxics reduction engineer, at Jenny.Yoo@ecy.wa.gov to discuss your project idea and ask questions.
How do WASI internships help businesses?
A WASI intern concentrates on an identified project that supports your organization in their practical pollution prevention or sustainability initiatives. Past successes include:
- Reducing the use of hazardous chemicals.
- Reducing hazardous waste and disposal costs.
- Identifying safer chemical alternatives.
- Preventing the pollution of Washington waters.
- Reducing air emissions.
- Conserving water and energy.
- Reducing solid waste.
To learn more, read the 2024 case studies to see how WASI interns make a difference.
The WASI program
Washington businesses can implement sustainability initiatives by providing internships to undergraduates studying engineering, chemistry, sustainability, or environmental science.
Through a partnership with Washington Sea Grant (WSG) and the Washington Department of Ecology, interns work for a host business and have access to Ecology’s technical advisors.
- Prospective interns can apply starting March 17, 2025, after the projects are selected by WASI.
- Internship training starts the week of June 16, 2025.
- 2025 stipend: $8,500 (equivalent to a wage of $21.25/hour).
WASI interns gain relevant work experience, and businesses benefit from having an intern dedicated to pollution prevention and sustainability projects. Together, we’re boosting Washington’s environmental workforce one project at a time.
May 2025 program update
The WASI program is canceled for summer 2025 because we were unable to secure federal funding in time to start the program for this summer. The WASI program is funded through an EPA-administered grant. We anticipate resuming the program in 2026.
We thank Washington Sea Grant, interested students, and the business community for their support of and participation in the WASI program. Your commitment to the program is a vital and energizing part of Washington’s work to increase sustainable business practices and reduce environmental impacts.