Several AFS events this year demonstrate the foundry industry’s commitment to sound environmental stewardship. Allow me to walk you through the many 2025 opportunities for acquiring more knowledge, continuing full compliance, and building deeper connections with like-minded foundry peers.  

The first of these events is the AFS “Introduction to Environmental Compliance” workshop, to be held on March 25-26 at AFS headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois, an easy drive from O’Hare Airport. The speakers will include Bryant Esch (Waupaca Foundry); Craig Schmeisser (Mad River Strategies); Jeet Radia (McWane); Mike Lenahan (Badger Mining); Kathy Moore, Mack Overton, and Wesley Fleming (Keramida); Curtis Veit (Waupaca Foundry); and other experts. This workshop––typically offered once every two years––is perfect for the individual(s) in your company just taking on environmental leadership responsibilities. We encourage you to send them! 

Next up: North America’s largest metalcasting event, CastExpo2025, will unfold April 12–15 in Atlanta. With more than 100 technical, management, and buyer–designer sessions coupled with over 350 exhibits and several awards presentations, this will be a grand occasion. Several programs will have an environmental and safety focus, as will various exhibitors in those and other fields.

Looking further ahead, metalcasters will be back at AFS headquarters on May 13–14 for the “Foundry Stormwater Compliance” seminar. Stormwater is a highly-specialized topic with enormous regulatory implications for foundries. Metalcasters that send their employees to this event are again demonstrating their commitment to environmental stewardship. This year’s topics include the many changes to the recently proposed 2026 EPA Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP). Highlights include development of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs), comparison of the current 2021 and proposed 2026 EPA MSGPs with state-specific permits, best management practices (BMPs), tips/pitfalls, and the increasing regulatory scrutiny of PFAS and PFOA contamination.

I invite you to mark your calendar now for the 37th annual AFS Environment, Health and Safety Conference coming to Green Lake, Wisconsin, October 7–9. Your team members who attend this conference will gain a depth of knowledge that make them even more effective in their roles at your company. 

Every quarter, AFS presents a webinar highlighting the latest regulatory developments from EPA and OSHA, as well as other key policy issues on Capitol Hill. These popular webinars are free to all members and $250 apiece for non-members. Back editions can be viewed any time on our website at: www.afsinc.org/demand-webinars.

Speaking of the AFS website––www.afsinc.org––you can find a great array of valuable information there, ranging from recycling, beneficial reuse, and regulatory compliance to sustainability case studies, environmental success stories, policy updates, and much more. 

Cumulatively, foundries invest millions of dollars each year in environmental quality. According to an autumn 2024 survey, 17% of foundries plan to make capital investments in environmental controls in 2025, above and beyond those already made in recent years. 

Clearly our industry prioritizes environmental issues––and three more AFS paths can help your company advance in this area: I invite you and/or the appropriate people at your company to consider joining (1) the AFS Air Quality Committee; (2) the Water, Waste & By-Products Management Committee; or (3) the Safety & Health Committee to become better informed as well as engaged in our activities related to these important topics. Committee membership is free to AFS members––please send an email to: kperna@afsinc.org.