United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(OS-305)
EPA530-N-93-001
Winter/Spring 1993
Federal
Recycling
Programs
Mushroom
Pizza lovers might be surprised to
learn their favorite take-out meal
could arrive in a box made of
pulped and processed government re-
ports from the National Security
Agency. This initiative is the result of
creative ventures made possible by
federal agency efforts to launch or
expand recycling programs in re
sponse to a 1991 Executive Order.
To oversee these programs, each
federal agency appointed its own recy-
cling coordinator. At the helm is Gail
Miller Wray—EPA's federal recycling
coordinator and the author of the first
of five annual reports detailing the
actions taken by federal agencies to
set up or strengthen their waste reduc-
tion, recycling, and buy-recycled
programs.
The Order's mandate to procure
items made of recycled materials
spurred federal agencies into action.
In the first year alone, the number of
agencies with programs to buy prod-
ucts with recycled content jumped
from 2 to 50. Examples of affirmative
procurement range from the Depart-
ment of Agriculture's testing of 40
(Continued on page 2)
Federal Agency Recycling e Business
Buy Recycled Campaign 9 Luxury
Hotel's Environmental Program o
Packaging Waste o Interstate Trade
of Solid Waste « Focus On Materials
Exchange • Nebraska Woman
Finds Markets for Recyclables e
Separating Plastics eGeorgia
Compost Program » Forum On
Heavy Metals e Unit Pricing
Businesses Unite to Boost
Demand for Recycled Products
There's a new type of merger in the business world. Nearly three dozen
American corporations have joined forces to put their buying power to
work for the environment. These companies are part of the Buy Recycled
Campaign, launched last year by the National Recycling Coalition (NRC) with
seed money from EPA. Companies that join the Buy Recycled Campaign make a
commitment to purchase goods made with recycled materials.
The Campaign sprang to life last year after NRC hired Phil
Bailey, who had worked on related projects in Colorado. As
NRC's market development director, Bailey contacted several
major corporations that he knew were buying recycled products
and urged them to work together to lead others along the same
path. The project soon snowballed to include 3 5 companies and
(Continued on page 12)
'Bruce
"—'-^ejcQitte to a new year of Reus-
able News.Thisyear promises
to be full of change for all of
EA fs we welcome Carol Brownej; as
3£pew administrator. BFowner comes
To usher in the new year of ]
ffy^ge. Reusable News is adding a j
hiwfeature,"Perspectives," which of |
fers a forum for interested parties to j
present their viewpoints on a current j
event or topic in the solid waste j
arena. The debut of the feature ap-
ring her two years
leading up the DER,
rowner made pollu-
[gA from the Florida^Department of pears on page 4 and focuses on in- j
„„„_ .__„„,-.,._,.. _, „_ tefstateWanspoWof municipal solid j
|da's principal environmental agency. waste (MSW). j
Since Reusable News 1
began four years ago, the j
newsletter has chronicled :
many milestones in MSW \
management. Recycling \
programs have increased \
in scope, size, and num- \
her; source reduction has •
taken hold; and new land- •
filling and combustion:;
regulations have been is-l
sued that will enhance the j
safety and efficiency of i
these practices. To share j
, prevention a major
iprity^JShe supported
~ng state waste re-
Action and recycling
egislation, while endeav-
a^ng to pass legislation
"Jat woyld go even fur-
to raeet FFlbrida's
twaste management
goals. Florida DER Waste
Deduction Section^ Ad-
pninistratot__Ron Hen- EPA Administrator Carol Browner all the latest information "]
|ricks is sorry to see her with you, we have made j
Jeave: "CafoLBrowner's new ap- this issue of the newsletter 12 pages \
"5intment is a loss for Florida and a long. We look forward to keeping you i
fit for EPA." up-to-dateonMSWissues inthefuture.
i
> Reusable News is printed with soy/canola ink on paper that contains at least 50 percent recycled fiber.
-------
Federal Recycling Programs Mushroom
(Continued from page 1)
recyded-content plastic picnic tables
in an Oklahoma national forest to
EPA's procurement of 6 million
pounds of recycled paper from titie
Government Printing Office.
Agencies also made significant
strides in source reduction. For exam-
ple, ttxe Central Intelligence Agency's
in-house cafeteria now serves meals
on china \vith metal utensils instead
of disposable paper plates and plastic
utensils. In addition, most federal
agencies, including the Department
of the Interior, the Defense Logistics
Agency, and EPA, have switched to
reusable laser printer cartridges.
to one of the major federal recy-
cling efforts, the General Services
Administration set up programs in
345 government-owned buildings
to recycle white paper and bever-
age containers. The 22,000 tons of
materials collected for recycling
during the first year generated
$500,000 in sales and saved the
government $1 million in landfill
tipping fees.
To encourage agency recycling
coordinators to share ideas and
success stories, a monthly seminar
series in Washington, DC, is organ-
ized by Wray. When the Executive
Order first was signed, Wray's of-
fice provided a packet explaining
various aspects of the Order to
each agency head and recycling co-
ordinator.
The Order also called for the for-|
mation of the Council on Feders
Recycling and Procurement Policy,]
whichis chaired by Wray andincludes
representatives from several agen-l
cies. As its first project, the Council
organized last June's Government)
Buy Recycled Products Trade Fair anc
Showcase in Washington, DC, to edu-l
cate government officials aboutf
available products made from recy-l
cled materials, to convince vendors|
that the government is committed tc
buying such products, and to helpl
vendors better understand the pro-|
curement process.
For more information, call EPA'sl
Office of Federal Recycling at!
202-260-6980.1
Luxury Hotel's
Environmental
Program
Generates
New Business
Tedd Saunders of The Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers
replaced tiny plastic bottles with bulk dispensers for health
and beauty products.
Tedd Saunders has proved that
even a luxury hotel can "reduce,
reuse, and recycle" without sac-
rificing quality—or customer satisfac-
tion. Two years ago, Saunders, title
environmental program director of
the 977-roomBostonParkPlazaHotd
&Towers, launched an ambitious pro-
gram thathas slashed waste generation,
saved money, and even attracted new
business. In fact, hotel executives es-
timate having generated more than
$750,000 in new business due to cli-
ents' desires to support this environ-
mentally conscious establishment.
To date, the hotel has completed
over 90 initiatives in the areas of
source reduction, recycling, reuse,
water and energy conservation, and
outreach. For these efforts, the hotel
received a 1992 Presi-
dent's Environment and
Conservation Challenge
Award.
In the area of source
reduction, one impor-
tant change the hotel
made was to install a
shampoo and liquid
soap pump dispenser
system in each of the
guest rooms. This might
seem like a small step;
however, the estab-
lishment no longer
throws out two million
tiny plastic bottles per
year. With the money
saved, the hotel now
buys higher quality
health and beauty products for its
guests. In another major source re-
duction initiative, Saunders banned
the use of disposable napkins, uten-
sils, and cups throughout the hotel.
Recycled products, from hotel sta-
tionery to carpeting made of
recycled plastic soda bottles, also
are purchased whenever available.
An exciting aspect of the progra
is that all levels of personnel in t
hotel have become involved, wit
many of the hotel staff coming up wit
their own waste prevention ideas. FoJ
example, housekeeping staff arcj
,; •••••••• making kitche
aprons out oJ|
stained linei
tablecloths thai|
otherwise would
be discarded. In-l
volving everyone]
fromthetop<~
is extremely valu-l
able since it no fl
only encourages|
individuals tc
..,,
Jhe hotel...,
received a
1992
Presidents _
Environment
| Conservation
^Challenge
E---"Award.
» take an active
role, but also fur-]
thers the goals of the program.
In addition to internal improve-l
ments in the hotel, Saunders is
hoping that he can effect change
beyond the establishment by insist-]
ing, whenever feasible, that
suppliers deliver goods with mini-]
mal packaging. For example, one
distributor now delivers meat in re
usable containers as opposed tc
disposable ones, and cleaning fluids
are supplied in 15-gallon drums of
concentrate instead of individua
bottles. With these actions, the hotel]
is reducing its own waste generatior
while serving as a role model for
other businesses.
For more information, contact
Tedd Saunders of The Boston Part
Plaza Hotel at 617-457-2413. J
-------
packaging Waste
low the United States Compares to
»ther Countries
oy James E. McCarthy
>enior Analyst, Congressional
Research Service
Americans who visit Paris are
likely to notice the little cafes
that seem to grace every corner,
:he open-air markets where fresh
bod is sold, and the relative scarcity
>f fast food restaurants. But a tourist
ooking for a cup of carry-
nit coffee or a soda ma-
iiine might die of thirst
Defore finding one. When
:he French are thirsty,
they instead stop at cafes,
where coffee is served in
:hina cups, and soft
rinks are poured into
glasses from refillable
mottles.
To the solid waste pro-
cessional, these differences are more
ian just cultural or lifestyle choices.
iey influence waste generation and
disposal practices, particularly in the
area of packaging.
In general, France and other indus-
trial countries use less packaging than
the United States. In 1988, Americans
generated 463 pounds of packaging
per capita, about one-third of munici-
pal solid waste (MSW) by weight. Both
Japan and the European Community
appear to generate at least one-fourth
less. Japanese and European packag-
ing is also more likely to be
recycled. Of 18 countries
for which glass recycling
data are available, the
United States ranked last
in 1988, at a 13 percent
rate. Five European coun-
tries, including Germany,
exceeded 50 percent. The
U.S. rate of paper recycling
also lags behind most of
Europe and Japan: of the 18 countries,
the United States ranked 15th.
The United States does rank high
in aluminum can and polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) plastic recycling.
The U.S. aluminum can recycling rate
(64 percent in 1990) was
third among 19 countries.
Its PET bottle recycling
rate (28 percent in 1990)
was far higher than the
European average (less
than 2 percent). But alumi-
num cans and PET bottles
together compose only
1.1 percent (by
weight) of to-
tal MSW in the
United States, compared
to nearly 25 percent for
paper and glass packag-
ing. Also, Europeans are
making rapid strides in
the case of PET. Over the
last three years, at least
seven European nations
have seen the introduc-
tion of refillable PET
bottles, with return rates
estimated at more than 90
percent.
Other countries have
proposed new legislation
and regulations applicable
to packaging materials. In
the European Community
and the Nordic countries,
new regulations aim to re
move most packaging
waste from the MSW stream, making
industry largely responsible for fi-
__ nancing and, in several
cases, operating collection
and recycling programs.
Canada, too, has set ambi-
tious targets for reducing
packaging waste, al-
though the specific
measures to be used to
reach the targets are still
being debated.
In all countries, con-
cerns about financing and organizing
recycling programs are raised fre-
quently. Recycling collection
programs in the United States have
been financed and run largely by local
governments (with some exceptions
such as deposit-refund
systems). Because indi-
vidual cities, towns, and
counties generally do
not exert a significant in-
fluence on commodity
markets, local govern-
ments can be left
holding the bag, or bot-
tle, when demand for
collected materials de-
clines. Local government
also has little control over the types of
packaging used by manufacturers,
and, in many instances, there is uncer-
tainty as to whether sufficient funds
are available to sustain collection
and sorting programs.
Europeans have addressed these
concerns by turning increasingly to in-
dustry as a partner or responsible party
for collecting and recy-
cling waste. In Germany,
for example, industry is
financing and operating
what's called the "Dual
System," a recycling pro-
gram that provides
separate collection of re
cyclable paper, glass,
metal, and plastic pack-
aging. While local
governments continue
to collect solid waste, the Dual System
aims to collect 90 percent of mostpack-
aging materials and to recycle 80
percent of what is collected. France has
a similar, but less ambitious, scheme.
Whether this approach is transfer-
able to our side of the Atlantic is not
clear. But as U.S. policymakers search
for solutions to the problems of fi-
nancing and marketing recyclables,
we're likely to hear more about how it
is done in Europe. 1
The views expressed in this article are
those of the author and not necessarily
those of the Congressional Research
Service.
-------
Two Vie
Free Trade Ensures
Proper
Management
by Eugene J. Wingerter Executive
DirectQr/CEO of the National Solid Wastes
About 15 years ago, New Jersey
got upset over solid waste that
Pennsylvania was exporting to
the Garden State and sued to block
this transport of waste. The lawsuit
went all the way to the U.S. Supreme
Court, which ruled that states may
not unilaterally interfere with inter-
state commerce, including com-
merce in waste.
How lucky for New Jersey that it
lost. New Jersey now exports waste
to many states, including Pennsylva-
nia. Lucky, too, for Pennsylvania,
which, continues to export waste to
a number of states, although not to-
New Jersey.
Almost all states export waste.
Market realities make interstate
movement of waste feasible and
even desirable. For some towns, a
landfill in the next state could be
closer than an in-state facility.
There are still more reasons for
allowing states and communities to
transfer waste and share disposal
capacity. As old landfills close,
either because they are full or be-
cause they cannot comply with
stringent new federal requirements,
the most cost-effective newer
landfills are those that serve a large
territory. The costs of the state-of-
the-art facilities mandated by
Subtitle D of the Resource Conserva-
tion and Recovery Act and the Clean
Air Act might be sustainable only by
revenues derived from regional
landfills, some of which serve "waste
sheds" that cross state lines. If
states—or worse, individual dis-
tricts or communities within a
state—were forced to build their
own disposal facilities inde-
pendently, costs could become
burdensome and private investment
would be discouraged. Such district-
ing couldrequire the construction of
more landfills than would be neces-
sary if communities share capacity.
Importing waste can be beneficial
to the community that ^^^^
"hosts" a new landfill Not :
only will the community's 5
own waste be managed ,
safely while its old facility ij
is being dosed, but also the ;
community likely will re- ?
ceive benefits as a result of ]
the revenues from im- i
ported waste—from free """""""""""
local disposal to capital improve-
ments to "host fees." Many
communities already have enjoyed
these benefits, as well as new jobs
and expanded tax revenues, by host-
ing a new landfill.
Exporting waste aids communi-
ties in fragile ecosystems and
communities with environmentally
unsafe facilities that cannot be re
placed immediately. An entire region
could benefit environmentally from
being able to export its waste.
Exporting
waste aids
communities
in fragile
ecosystems.
Interstate movement of wasta
does not preclude state governmenta
from ensuring a certain amount 01
disposal capacity within their bor
ders. States can require thei
communities to plan for a certs
disposal capacity and then let eac
individual community decide
whether to add capacity and
the benefits from imports. Commu-j
nities might wish to contract foif
capacity or build their own.
Interstate movement of waste had
declined for a variety of reasons!
including the rise of recycling, thq
economic downturn, and adverse
publicity surrounding the issue. Evi-j
dence suggests that the "problem1]
was always greatly overstated.
Unfortunately, the issue gainec
• steam in the 102nd Con-l
ress, and the 103rd Con-|
Bkely will see ne
__> to restrict interstate]
b^ernent of waste.t
ver the legislatiyel
_ fess plays out, we cahl
redict that local commu-I
nities likely will have
more direct say in Wastel
import matters. Understanding the!
importance of this voice, the wastel
services industry is trying hard to!
work with communities to meet I
their needs. That means protecting!
communities' freedom to decide for I
themselves. Rigid legislation re-1
stricting movement of waste will not I
help. As the case of New Jersey and I
Pennsylvania indicates, market re-J
alities rule. Today's imports could I
be tomorrow's exports. I
''Recycling Realities" Broadcast Live
Keep America Beautiful, Inc.
(KAB) broadcast a live 2-hour
panel discussion and call-in
talk show about recycling's role in
integrated municipal solid waste
(MSW) management to approxi-
mately 250 viewing locations across
the United States. The program, enti-
tled "Recycling Realities: A National
Town Meeting," was broadcast via
satellite from the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce in Washington, DC, on
April 5, 1993, to more than 20,000
individuals in businesses, govern-
ment offices, universities, and
schools across the country.
Issues on the agenda included the
capabilities and limitations of recy-
cling; trends for the future of
recycling; and the importance of com-
posting, waste-to-energy facilities,
and sanitary landfills in integratec
MSW management. Panelists include
a cross-section of experts on solic
waste issues. A toll-free telephond
number allowed viewers to call in ques-j
tions and participate in the dialogue.
For more information or to obta
a videotape of "Recycling Realities,"!
contact Sharon Oxley of KAB at"
203-323-8987.1
-------
Interstate Trad©
i • i !
Local Control;
Necessary to
Manage Solid Waste
by Seth Phillips Chief, Solid Waste
Management Unit, Waste Management
Division, Michigan Department of Natural
Resources I I
On June 1,1992, the US. Supreme
Court struck down Michigan's
provisions regulating
the interstate transport of
solid waste in the case of
Fort Gratiot Sanitary Landfil i
versusMchiganDepartrnentofj
Sfatural Resources, et ol The]
Supreme Court has made. itl
clear that without federal J
authority states may not regu-1
ate movement of solid waste i
among states more than it is'
regulated within states. Since
that time, Michigan, along with more;
than 40 other states, has worked with
"ongress to develop a federally legis-
ated remedy to the problem created by
these decisions.
Michigan has had a comprehensive
solid waste management planning
program in place for over 10 years.
The program calls for each of Michi-
gan's 83 counties to create its own
ntegrated solid waste management
plan. Taken together, these plans
"orm the State Solid Waste Manage-
ment Plan. Although the plans
address many solid waste issues, their
driving force is the definition of ade-
quate long-term disposal capacity for
each county/thereby ensuring the
availability of environmentally sound,
cost-effective disposal capacity for
the entire state. Contrary to the expe-
rience of many other states,
Michigan's program has been highly
successful in establishing capacity,
and additional disposal facilities are
being sited;
The reason .that Michigan's pro-
gram has been .effective at creating
disposal capacity is that the program
provides counties with an appealing
trade-off. Counties are required to
designate, or provide for, guaranteed
siting of necessary disposal capacity.
Jp. jeturn for providing this
'.. acity, counties are given
Authority to control the
;-range use of that ca-
Idry so thai: they can meet
eir planning obligations.
sent the ability to conttol
use of disposal capacity,
•unties have no assurance
.at .they can meet their
arming obligations. In
fact, absent this control,
long-term capacity cannot even be de-
fined since out-of-state waste streams
can use that capacity without control.
Disposal facilities frequently as-
sure communities long-term capacity
even when their use clearly dictates
that they will be full in shorter time
frames. Given the dictate for ensuring
adequate capacity siting under Michi-
gan law, this would force the creation
of new facilities that would not be
needed if communities had relied in-
stead on regulatory planning power. If
communities cannot exercise some
control over the proliferation and loca-
tion of new disposal facilities, it is likely
mat the political consequences will be
what other states, absent the power to
We should be
responsible
for
addressing
problems of
our own
creation.
control waste importation, have suf-
fered—a paralyzing inability to create
needed capacity for the future.
Michigan andmany other states have
recognized, as do the proposed Re-
source Conservation and Recovery Act
reauthorization bills, that solid waste is
an issue that needs to be addressed
locally, state by state. States .that have
actedresponsibly to provide for sound,
long-range solid waste management
for its citizens have demonstrated the
ability and courage to face this difficult
issue. They can only be successful in
meeting these long-range objectives if
ihey have the power to protect such
capacity from being swallowed up by
other states that lack the political will
to take the steps necessary to solve the
solid waste management needs of
their own communities.
As Chief Justice William Rehnquist
noted in his dissenting opinion in the
Fort Gratiot case, "The Court today pe-
nalizes the State of Michigan for what
to all appearances are its good-faith
efforts, in turn encouraging each state
to ignore the waste problem in the hope
that, another will pick up the slack."
Indeed, if Congress does not act to rem-
edy this situation, states will react just
as Chief Justice Rehnquist suggests.
Mthin days of the Fort Gratipt decision,
measures were introduced in Michi-
gan's Legislature to restrict imports and
to impose amoratorium on issuance of
all disposal facility licenses and permits.
Like many states, Michiganhas long
practiced its belief that we should be
responsible for addressing problems
of our own creation. The cpntinued
lack of ability for states to control
waste imports will lead us in the op-
posite direction, ft
HHW Collection Programs Are on the Rise
At the Seventh Annual Household
Hazardous Waste Management
Conference, it was reported that
the number of permanent household
hazardous waste (HHW) collectionpro-
grams increased 33 percent between
1991 and 1992.
The conference, held in Minnea-
polis, Minnesota, on December 9 to
12, 1992, was designed to foster
communication on complex HHW
issues, including source reduction,
education, collection, and manage-
ment. The conference also
addressed conditionally exempt
small quantity generator (CESQG)
management of hazardous waste
and reducing the toxicity of HHW
by reformulating household prod-
ucts. The conference drew 400
attendees representing the United
States, Switzerland, England, and
Canada and featuredmore than 100
speakers.
The next conference is scheduled to
be held in Burlington, Vermont, on No-
vember 9 to 13,1993. For proceedings
or tapes of the 1992 conference, con-
tact the Waste Watch Center at
508-470-3044. For more information,
contact Tracy Bone of EPA's Office of
Solid Waste at 202-260-5649.1
-------
The articles on these two
pages focus on the activities
of organizations engaged In
materials exchange. Materi-
als exchange is based on the
principle that one person's
trash can be another person's
treasure. Unwanted items
such as used clothing, furni-
ture, appliances, and building
materials are collected and
redistributed to individuals
and organizations that can
reuse them. As these articles
illustrate, materials exchange
not only reduces waste, but
also can be profitable, serve
social purposes, and enhance
cultural activities.
Berkeley Business
t* I
I'V
I" ?!
111
j'S
ET '.-
I "ill ," " T . i " PUN
1111 ill u I * i, ik "
•"'"or more than a decade, Urban
I— Ore, Inc., has turned a profit by
I salvaging everything including
thekitcjien sink from in.and around
lelr^eley, California. Urban Ore col-
lects, sorts, and then sells still-useful
'equipment!c"5|(ictibles^"andbuild-
ing materials. The company's cus-
tomers—home remodelers,. landlords,
artists, collectors, inventprsj and
flea market vendors—repair the
;,_,_„.__„„ _as_is." What:
n'S^campTseTtt^s'Tecy-"11
Artist Sculpts
Materials
Exchange
New York City has long been a
mecca for the aits. In. recent
years, the city also has become
somewhat celebrated for its towering
landfill fa Staten Island. M a" unique
collaboration, New York City cultural
leaders and sanitation officials have
joined forces to enhance the local arts
scene while reducing waste generation
Visual artist Angela Fremont
founded aprogram called Materials for
the Arts in 1979 to collect unwanted
goods and materials from both busi-
nesses and individuals. Materials for
the Arts then redistributes these
materials to nonprofit cultural or-
ganizations; social, community, and
health service organizations with
art programs; and individual artists
working on public projects in New
York City.
Fremont, who was working at New
York City's Department of Cultural
Affairs at that Jme, got the idea for
the program gfegJfae. Metropolitan
Museum of ArraRacpSOier seeking
to off-loadsomenq|Qrjgerdieededped-
estals. As an artist7"she understood
.-' cled,
- About 10 percent of Urban Ore's
i inventory is retrieved directly from
the tipping floor at Berkeley's transfer
station, where municipal discards are
collected for transport to nearby land-
fills. Most of the company's
merchandise, however, is dropped off
nearby at Urban Ore's two retail sites
by local residents and businesses. Ur-
ban Ore also frequently picks up
goods from homes, businesses, and
construction sites.
The salvaged materials are pric|
and displayed for sale four blc
away at Urban Ore's 2-acre reuse ce
ter—one of the nation's largest
most diverse, according to Da\
Stern, Urban Ore's information se
ices manager. Urban Ore's Gene
Store carries furniture, rugs, hot
wares, books, tools, records, andjof
equipment in a large warehouse.
large lot next door, the Building Ma^
rials Exchange handles lumbe
bricks, tile, glass, pipe, sinks, bat|
tubs, doors, and windows.
Unlike traditional thrift store
which carry small, highly marketat
inventories, Urban Ore handles |
large volume of goods of va
quality—about 5,000 tons of mat]
rial per year, according to Ste
While preserving valuable lane
space by selling reusable discarc
Urban Ore also has proved that pr
venting waste can be profitable.
1992,'Stern predicts, the compe
will gross more than $1.1 mUlic
from turning trash into treasures. I
For more information^jcpntal
David Stein of Urban Ore'sVlnfqrml
tion Services at 510-559-4454.f
the need in the arts community for
such materials and realized that if it
could happen once, it probably could
happen again.
Materials for the Arts accepts all
types of items for artistic endeavors,
including stereo equipment, musical
instruments, theatrical lighting, pho-
tography supplies, fabric, and
notions. Staff members pick up every
item at no charge, so the donor avoids
costly remojcal fees. To ensure that
donations actually gq to support the
arts, every pfQsJ^ctiyerecipient must
submit proof~o|Jnphprofit status,
documentation"~QF cultural activities,
and a "wish list" of desired items or
materials. Today, Materials for the
Arts receives donations from approxi-
mately 1,000 donors and distributes
the materials to more than 800
groups, from the Boys Choir of Har-
lem to the Pan Asian Repertory
Theatre to senior citizen centers.
The founders of Materials for the
Arts originally cast its image as a
means of enhancing the city's arts
scene, not as a reuse program with
; benefits. But in 198
as t^ejpirogram's director, Susl
Glass, was speaking atji solid was
conference, she reafizj^yhaj: the pi|
gram also coulxOessen New Yc
City's enormous landfill burden
ConsecpeStiy, Glass sought, and]
ceived, funding from the New York C
Department of Sanitation's Bureau I
Waste Prevention, Reuse, and Red
cling. The increased funding, toget
with additional warehouse space
was provided by the city in 19£
Helped expand the program to
point^where it is today. Prior to
time/s^ace ^g a serious problem \
Materials for the Arts. "We had b<
turningi flown, donations because
had no spacejtp put things," says Gla
Thanks toTEatextra space and func'
Materials for the Arts redistributi
each year nearly 400 tons of hand-r
downs otherwise destined for disposd
which have an estimated value of a]
proximately $1.5 million.
For moreinformatign,contact Suss
Glass, director of thfrMaterials for 1
Arts program, at 2-S255-5
-------
idustry
'ftovers Spark
Children's
laginations
Qio would have imagined that
discarded lids from cans of
shaving cream could be trans-
rmed into wheels on a toy race car
that plastic cores for solid deodor-
t could become the car's axles? A
ild would.
Across the country, a nonprofit
ucational organization is funneling
anufacturirig leftovers into class-
oms to jump-start students'
laginations. What started 17 years
o in Worcester, Massachusetts, as
ic teacher's impulse to scour the
immunity for extra teaching mate-
is has blossomed into a unique
ultistate partnership between
isinesses and schools. Word is
reading that such cooperation can
eserve valuable landfill space
hile enriching children's class-
iom learning.
Walter F. Drew, co-founder and
'esident of the nonprofit Institute
>r Self-Active Education (ISAE),
unched the National Schools Recy-
e Network in 1981. Along with
inning rnaterials exchange centers
school gymnasiums and old ware-
>uses in nearly a dozen states, ISAE
•ganizes workshops throughput
ie country encouraging teachers to
Children in classrooms across the country are creating new uses for manufacturers' discards
through the National Schools Recycle Network.
develop creative classroom uses for
industrial waste products.
To date, more than 500 companies
across the country have donated
their unwanted punch-outs and sur-
plus stock to the centers. A typical
center overflows with reams of col-
ored paper and cellophane, wood
scraps of all shapes and sizes, clear
plastic bottles, skeins of yarn, pieces
of brightly colored foam and felt,
bolts of doth, and rolls of wire. Stu-
dents use the materials in science,
math, language skills, and art classes,
as well as for free-time play. Whatever
the subject, children are experiencing
ways to reuse valuable resources, in-
stead of throwing tihem away.
Public schools are issued free
membership cards that allow teach-
ers to stuff bags and boxes full of the
center's creative teaching tools. Paid
memberships also are available for
families, individuals, and private or-
ganizations such as daycare centers.
The bulk of the centers' funding
comes from private, state, and fed-
eral grants, including some from EPA
The centers typically are staffed by
one or more paid employees who not
only locatemanufacturers willing to
make donations, but also pick up,
transport, unload, sort, and display
the". materials. "It's labor-intensive
work," says Drew. "When you start
serving thousands of teachers, you're
hauling around tons of materials."
But the hard work is worthwhile. As
Drew points out, "We've seen fabu-
lous materials thrown away every day
'that are unbelievably exciting and
challenging for children and teachers."
Formoreinformation, contact Walter
F. Drew of ISAE at 407-984-1018.1
kiilding a Better
uture
. Second Life for
onstruction Supplies
1 or eight years, the Loading Dock
has recovered surplus construc-
tion supplies to help individuals
nd organizations build a better fu-
r-rft 1 I~gMSpj, -, ^&$*&&Lf. -a
ore. The Loading gogfe.jrnonprofit:
rganization, redis^^p:es3tnesem,S-
alals for a handlinfffee, about,jbne-
lird of their retail price, to clients in
iced. The organization's client^ are
aw-income individuals, nonprofit
roups, religious organizations, and
usinesses that maintain properties
occupied by nonprofit organizations
or low-income tenants.
The Loading Dock started in a
small, unheated, rat-infested office in
Baltimore, Maryland, that had as its
best asset a very nice loading dock-
hence the company name. Today,
with 13 employees and a 21,000
square foot warehouse, the Loading
Dock redistributes over $1 million
worth of building supplies a^year.
In 1992, the company diverted
from the municipal solid waste stream
over 7,000 tons of surplus material,
such as lumber, paint, and floor cov-
erings. According to Executive
Director Hope Cucina, about 20 per-
cent of the supplieVTedistributed at
the Loading DocKl||!taken directly
from drop-off areas at county landfills;
the restis donatedby a well-established
network of building supply distribu-
tors, manufacturers, retailers, and
other organizations. By donating mate-
rials to the Loading Dock, businesses
avoid disposal costs and qualify for a tax
deduction Cucina estimates that about
400 Baltimore-area businesses regu-
larly contribute surplus or hard-to-seU
materials to the company.
The company's operatiojiv%hich
have been described by Maryland
Governor Donald Schaefeipas "out-
standing and original," fre being
modeled in other parts oj||he state
as well. For more informajibn, con-
tact Hope Cucina of ther Loading
Dock at 410-728-3625.1
-------
uestion: What can! do to reduce the amount
of trash generated from packaging?
nswer: Containers and packaging make
Lup a significant portion of municipal solid
waste:—nearly one-third of the trash generated in 1990 (by weight).
Man>' products come in packages that protect or contain them or
keep| them fresh. Packages sometimes offer instructions as well.
But yjou might find that not all packaging is necessary or desirable.
As consumers, each of us can make thoughtful shopping decisions to
minimize the amount of trash we generate. We can, for example,:look
for items that can be purchased loose or in bulk, such as nails at
hardvvare stores or produce at grocery stores. For nonperishable,
frequently used items such as laundry soap, baking soda, or cat litter,
consi'der economy-sized packages. Remember that as the amount of
product in a container increases, the packaging waste per serving or
use tfends to decrease. Concentrated products, such as frozen juices,
typicidly require less packaging and energy to ship to the store, saving
jsothjnoney and natural resources. In addition, don't forget that we can
tell store managers when we are pleased to see certain products
displayed in bulk bins or with minimal packaging. Also, we can let
manufacturers know that we appreciate their efforts to reduce packaging.
For more tips, see EPA's The Consumer's Handbook for Reducing Solid
M'asfc? (EPA530-K-92-003), available by calling the RCRA/Superfund
Hotlihe (see below for calling information).
Did You Knowll
In addition to reducing the amount of
materials in the solid waste stream,!
reducing waste toxicity is an impor-|
tant component of source reductior
Toxicity reduction can be achieved by
following some simple guidelines:
• Use materials or products wit
nonhazardous or less hazardousl
components to accomplish the!
task at hand, such as choosing|
batteries with reduced mere
content.
• When you do use products withl
hazardous components, avoidl
wasting extra materials by|
purchasing only what you need.
• Share any leftover amounts you do I
have with neighbors, local!
businesses, or charities.
Resources
The following publications are available at no charge from the EPA RCRA/Superfund
Hotline. Call 800-424-9346, or TDD 800-553-7672 for the hearing impaired, Monday
through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time. In Washington, DC, the
number is 703-412-9810 or TDD 703-412-3323. !
Household Hazardous Waste: Steps to Safe Management (EPA530-F-92-031). This
i pamphlet discusses what household hazardous waste, (H^W) is, dangers of improper
disposal, ways to reduce and recycle HHW, arid safe storage and disposal practices. • ;
Household Hazardous Waste Management: A Manual for 1-Day Community Collection Programs (EPA530-
R-92-D26). This manual describes how community leaders and collection organizers can plan and operate ;a
successful household hazardous waste drop-off program. '• ;
"Green" Advertising Claims (EPA530-F-92-024). Developed in conjunction with the Federal Trade Com-
mission and the U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs, this pamphlet lists key pointslfor consumers to consider
\vher| selecting products labeled with environmental claims. i
Municipal Solid Waste Prevention in Federal Agencies (EPA530-F-92-016). This fact sheet describes the
activities undertaken by some federal agencies to prevent solid waste generation. !
Used] Dry Cell Batteries: Is a Collection Program Right for Your Community? (EPA530-K-92-006). This
guide examines the economic and planning issues to be considered before^ establishing a collectiojn
program for used dry cell batteries. |
Safer Disposal for Solid Waste: The Federal Regulations for Municipal Landfills (EPA53p-SW-91-092i).
This Educational booklet assists the general public in understanding the rolei of landfills in solid wastje
management and how they function when properly designed and operated.
Criteria for Solid Waste Disposal Facilities: A Guide for Owners/Operators (EPA530-SW-91-089). This
nontechnical guide for landfill owners/operators and communities discusses implementation of the neiv
municipal solid waste landfill criteria of RCRA Subtitle D. ', .-..>.
-------
I "Taking Action" is a Reusable News feature that spotlights the everyday efforts of individuals to reduce, reuse, and recycle
I in the home, office, and community. If you know of anyone who has made an innovative contribution to meeting the municipal
I solid waste challenge, but not as part of an environmental profession, please write to John Leigh, Reusable News, Office of
I Solid Waste, U.S. EPA (OS-305), 401 M Street, SW., Washington, DC 20460.
K
lebraska Woman Finds Markets for Recyclables
LeMara Eicke is tightening the load
for the landfill in Washington
County, Nebraska. Over the past
hree years, Eicke has jump-started
recycling in her hometown, expanded
•ecyding to a county level, and found
:onsistent and creative markets for
)ver 650 tons of recyclables otherwise
iestined for a landfill. Her success in
eading these efforts earned her the
title "Recycler of the Year" from the
sfebraska State Recycling Association
in 1991.
As chairperson of the Washington
lounty Recycling Association
WCRA), Eicke is responsible for find-
.ng reliable markets for all of
Washington County's recyclables—
newspaper, glass, steel cans, and high
density polyethylene (HOPE) andpoly-
ethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics.
Partially due to good publicity, the
amount of recyclables collected in
Washington County has increased by
25 percent in the past year.
To date, Eicke has had tremendous
success in locating markets and has
been able to keep pace with the in-
crease in supply. Eicke states that
WCRA is fortunate to have found very
stable markets for newspaper and
glass, which consistently compose the
majority of Washington County's
recyclables. Each month WCRA deliv-
ers a full trailer of newspapers (24
tons) to a company that uses recycled
newspaper in its insulation products.
The glass (7 tons per month) is sold to
a nearby beverage distributer. The dis-
tributer sells the glass to the company
that manufactures the bottles used
for its beverages, effectively dosing
the loop.
While the amount of steel cans and
plastics collected is not as great, Eicke
also has found stable markets for
these recyclables. WCRA sells its plas-
tic to a holding company that, in turn,
resells the material to larger compa-
nies with the technology to recycle
plastic into building materials for
sheds and animal hutches, park
benches, and carpets. Steel cans are
typically sold to scrap metal dealers
that smelt the cans for reuse as steel
construction materials and other
products.
Eicke's public commitment to re-
cycling dates back to 1989 when
she and her husband became the
self-appointed curbside recyclers
for their hometown of Washington,
Nebraska. Using their pickup truck
and a trailer, the couple devoted
many of their Saturdays to collect-
ing old newspapers from the 130
residents of their hometown. In an
effort to expand the scope of her
recycling initiative to the county
level, Eicke and a corps of volunteers
from local civic and church groups
formed WCRA. In 1991, with the help
of the City of Blair, WCRA was able
to set up a permanent recycling cen-
ter, which is open every Saturday
and staffed by WCRA volunteers.
WCRA is able to maintain the per-
manent center due to Eicke's success
in finding markets. Eicke recognizes
that finding reliable markets is not
always easy. Her advice is simple:
"Don't collect anything that you can't
get rid of." A successful recycling
program will assess the availability of
markets before deciding what mate-
rials it can feasibly collect. She also
cautions against commingling. Ac-
cording to Eicke, few companies will
sort recyclables, and it is often easier
to locate separate markets for differ-
ent recyclables.
For more information, call LeMara
Eicke at 402-238-2341.1
Minnesota Publishes Solid Waste Education Guide
Anew educational guide on solid waste issues that teaches children how to build a
replica of a landfill, among other activities, is now available from the Minnesota
Extension Service. The Extension Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agricul-
ture, developed the 64-page guide along with the Minnesota 4-H Youth Development
education team. The publication, entitled Working on Waste, contains background
material on the municipal solid waste stream and waste management concepts and
provides awareness-building activities for children from 9 to 12 years old. The guide
also discusses actions that youth can take to help meet solid waste challenges in their
homes, neighborhoods, and schools.
Working on Waste was funded by a grant from the Minnesota Office of Waste Manage
ment. The guide is available for $6.00 from the Minnesota Extension Service Distribution
Center, 3 Coff ey Hall, 1420 Eckles Avenue, St. Paul, MN 5 5108-6064. For more information,
contact the Distribution Center at 612-625-8173. I
-------
A System to
Separate PVC
for Recycling
One of the thorniest issues fac-
ing plastics recycling today is
that the products collected
for recycling are made of different
types of plastic. Unless these recov-
ered plastics are separated before
processing, the types of products
that can be produced from the recy-
cled material are limited. Given that
separated plastic can be used in
nearly as great a variety of products
as virgin plastic, it is important for
technologies to be developed to sort
plastic materials efficiently.
Traditional manual separation
methods, inwhichpeople sort plastic
items by hand, are labor intensive and
can, therefore, affect the economic
feasibility of recycling. Recognizing
this, National Recovery Technologies,
Inc. (NRT) of Nashville, Tennessee,
with funding from EPA's Small Busi-
ness Innovation Research (SBIR)
Program, the Vinyl Institute, and
other industry sources, has devel-
oped a new system for automatically
sorting plastic bottles called
VinylCycle™. NRT received EPA's
"Outstanding Small Business Enter-
prise Award" for this system in 1991.
The system separates polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) bottles, such as cook-
ing oil and mineral water bottles,
from bottles made from high-density
polyethylene (HOPE), such as milk
jugs, and polyethylene terephmalate
(PET), such as soda bottles. It is par-
ticularly important to separate PVC
from PET because even a very small
amount of PVC can contaminate PET,
and vice-versa.
In the system, whole or crushed
bottles traveling on a conveyor belt
are fed onto an acceleration slide and
pass over a computerized detector.
The detector recognizes the presence
of chlorine atoms in the PVC bottles,
and the system computer triggers the
release of a burst of air that blows the
PVC bottles off the conveyor belt and
into a separate holding container.
Automated sorting systems of-
fer certain advantages to plastics
recyders. In addition to being more
cost-effective than manual sortii
due to reduced labor costs, autc
mated systems indirectly impro\
cost-effectiveness by accuratel|
separating the different types
plastic. Since many plastic bottle
look and feel similar, manual sept
ration can result in a high level
error, which can be reduced signiff
cantly by automation.
Although automated sorting i|
not a new process, the system doe
offer improvements over morl
primitive machines, according tl
NRT. For example, whereas soml
older systems process only on|
bottle at a time, requiring adc
tional machinery or labor to line uj
bottles before sorting, this syste
allows multiple bottles to pasl
through its sensors simultaneously
in any orientation or position. Thil
allows sorting to be accomplisheq
at higher speeds, thereby lowe
operating costs.
To obtain further informatior
contact J. Bruce Goodman of NRT;
615-734-6400 or Donald Carey o|
EPA's Office of Exploratory Re
search at 202-260-7899.1
Georgia Launches
Statewide Compost
Program
Last April, the
Georgia Depart-
ment of Com-
munity Affairs (DCA)
launched the na-
tion's first statewide
home composting
program for leaves
and yard trimmings.
With seed money
from an EPA re-
gional office, Geor-
gia DCA offered
grants to local gov-
ernments for estab-
lishing local home
composting pro-
grams. Thirteen
counties submitted
proposals, and
10 were awarded Georgia Governor ZellMiller, pitchfork in
grants. hand, composts at the Governor's mansion.
Aided by onsite and telephone guidance from Georgia
DCA, each local government is setting up a compost dem-
onstration site to teach its residents the art of composting.
Demonstration sites display commercially available
10
compost bins and offer instructions on how to build homl
made bins. Standard bins are fashioned from fence wire a
a cost of about $3.00 each. Larger bins, suitable for school!
churches, and homes with big yards, are constructed froJ
used wooden shipping pallets. Local businesses dona^
pallets for the bins, thereby eliminating the cost to
citizen and the need for new materials, and preventing 1
pallets from being disposed of in landfills.
To optimize the value of the demonstration sites, Geo:|
gia DCA also sponsored 10 regional orientation workshop
for volunteers from each participating county. At
workshops, volunteers toured a compost demonstratioj
site and learned how to introduce home composting
their own neighborhoods. In return for the free trs
Georgia DCA asked each volunteer to spend 40 hoi
helping their friends and neighbors overcome what prcj
ject consultant Clark Gregory calls the "invisible barrie
to home composting—thinking that composting requ'
special training or effort. As Gregory puts it, "We
recruiting a composting army in Georgia to spread the wor|
that home composting is okay."
It is too early to tell how extensive the local compostrnj
programs will be, reports Leamon Scott of Georgia DC
but DCA hopes to see a compost bin behind nearly eve
Georgia home before long. Georgia DCA also hopes th|
home composting project will serve as a model for simile
programs in other states. Says Gregory, "Why make you
leaves leave home? Compost makes them work for you.'|
For more information on Georgia's home compostir
program, contact Leamon Scott of the Georgia DCA
404-656-3851 or Clark Gregory of the Fulton County Soij
and Water Conservation District at 404-876-2943. ~
-------
Forum Focuses on
Reducing Heavy Metals
Voluntary efforts to reduce the
amount of heavy metals found
in the municipal solid waste
(MSW) stream was the focus of a
Heavy Metals Source Reduction Fo-
rum held on December 2 to 3,1992,
in Providence, Rhode Island. Repre-
sentatives from industry, govern-
ment, academia, and public interest
groups met at the forum, which was
a pilot program sponsored jointly by
EPARegion 1 andEPA's Office of Solid
Waste, to discuss six products con-
taining heavy metals:
Fluorescent lamps (mercury).
Thermometers (mercury).
Rechargeable nickel-cadmium
batteries (cadmium).
Cathode ray tubes or CRTs (lead
oxide), which are found, for
example, in computers and
televisions.
Lead solder (lead), which is used
in the manufacture of printed
circuit boards, a component of
products such as video games and
computers.
Plastic thermal stabilizers
(cadmium), which are used in
flexible polyvinyl chloride plastic
found in shoes, shower curtains,
and coatings on artifical leather.
EPA selected these products us-
ing a framework for source
reduction developed by the World
Wildlif e Fund, as well as EPA char-
acterization reports on products
containing lead, cadmium, and
mercury. The forum organizers
chose only products that as yet
have not been analyzed thor-
oughly.
Forum participants discussed
voluntary source reduction oppor-
tunities for each of the six
products. For example, an active
program by the fluorescent light-
ing industry to reduce the amount
of mercury in fluorescent lamps
was examined. Participants also
discussed efforts to increase the
lifespan of thermometers by en-
casing them in metal. Similarly,
forum attendees examined the de-
velopment of "smart chargers,"
which could prolong the life of
rechargeable nickel-cadmium bat-
teries by preventing customers
from overcharging their batteries.
A report on the forum will be avail-
able in the spring.
For more information, contact
Cynthia Greene of EPA Region 1 at
617-223-5531.1
"Green" Advertising Claims
Pamphlet Available
Now available from the RCRA/Superfund Hotline is
a pamphlet that addresses advertising claims
about the environmental attributes of products.
"Green" Advertising Claims lists five key points for con-
sumers to consider when selecting products:
Look for environmental claims that are very specific. For
example, if a label says "recycled," check how much of
the product or packaging is recycled.
Be wary of overly broad or vague environmental claims
such as "environmentally friendly."
Look thoroughly into claims of "degradability."
Check "ozone friendly" and "CFC free" claims carefully.
Consider the contribution of products to ground-level
ozone.
EPA, the Federal Trade Commission, and the U.S.
Office of Consumer Affairs joined together to produce
the pamphlet to help consumers make more informed
purchasing decisions. See Hot Off the Hotline on page
8 for information on how to order the pamphlet. H
Unit Pricing
Roundtable
Brings Cities
Together
recent roundtable on unit pricing
might provide the template for a
knew means of communication
among EPA headquarters, EPA regional
offices, states, and local government
leaders. The roundtable, which was held
on December 4,1992, brought together
people who already have implemented
unitpricing programs with those who are
_^^____, in the development
^ _ _ _ i stages of their own
tUnit pricing programs.
| refers to any Unit pricing re-
- waste fers to any waste
management management sys-
rr- :- -• - tern that fharo-pc
svstem that :
- rhar customers based
'L Cnaiges upon the amount
I; customers Of waste they gen-
Is based upon erate. Although
t the amount there are eco-
E- of waste nomic incentives
there also are cer-
|- generate. tain barriers to
^___^^^^^ implementation.
The roundtable offered a forum for
waste management officials to meet
and discuss these barriers. It also pro-
vided EPA with a working laboratory,
where personnel from EPA headquar-
ters and regional offices learned first
hand of unit pricing experiences and
the needs of local officials who are
implementing a unit pricing waste
management system.
The roundtable was a collabora-
tive effort between EPA's Office of
Solid Waste (OSW) and Office of Pol-
icy, Planning, and Evaluation (OPPE).
OSW also is creating a guidance docu-
ment on unit pricing for local
officials. In addition, OPPE is leading
a residential solid waste demonstra-
tion project to study the effects of
changing from a conventional solid
waste pricing system to unit pricing.
For more information on the dem-
onstration project, contact Deborah
Nestor of OPPE at 202-260-5500.
For more information on the round-
table or the guidance document,
contact Jan Canterbury of OSW at
202-260-2349. I
11
-------
Businesses Unite to Boost Demand for Recycled Products
(Continued from page 1)
trade associations that together func-
tion as the Campaign's steering
committee, called the Buy Recycled
Business Alliance.
In addition to signing a charter
committing them to use more prod-
ucts made of recycled materials, each
of the Alliance's founding corpora-
tions surveyed their current level of
recycled-product purchasing—a
benchmark from which to measure
their future progress. Survey results
showed that these companies had
spent a total of almost $3 billion on a
myriad of recycled products—from
company letterhead to carpeting.
"American businesses are committed
to buying recycled," said Alliance
member Larry Long of Anheuser-
Busch, Inc. "We are not starting, from
ground zero here. We have discovered
a substantial base from which to
build."
NRC's goal for the Buy Recycled
Campaign over the next two years is to
recruit 5,000 companies to sign the
charter. To meet this goal, NRC plans
to distribute educational videos and
handbooks, provide on-line access
recycled-product market informatioi|
and hold a series of workshops
seminars on buying recycled produc
NRC has been flooded with inquirie
from additional companies intereste|
in joining the Campaign. Having se
charters and surveys to roughly 6(
companies at their request, Bailey i|
optimistic that enthusiasm for
Campaign will continue to grow.
For more information, contact Ph
Bailey of the NRC at 202-625-6406. i
Members of the
Buy Recycled Business Alliance
3M
American Airlines
American Plastics
Council
Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
AT&T
Bank of America
Bell Atlantic Co.
Browning Ferris
Industries
The Coca-Cola Co.
Cracker Barrel Old
Country Store, Inc.
EL DuPont Co.
Food Management
Institute
Fort Howard Corp.
Garden State
Paper Co.
James River Corp.
Johnson Controls
Johnson & Johnson
KMart
Laidlaw, Inc.
Lever Brothers, Inc.
McDonald's Corp.
Menasha Corp.
Moore Business
Forms, Inc.
Quaker Oats
Quill Corp.
Rock-Term Co.
Rubbermaid Com-
mercial Products, Inc.
Safeway, Inc.
Scrap Tire Manage
ment Council
Sears Roebuck and
Co.
Steel Can Recycling
Institute
Wal-Mart, Inc.
Waste Management,
Inc.
Wellman, Inc.
Wisconsin Tissue
Mills
Reusable News is the quarterly
newsletter of the EPA Office
of Solid Waste's Municipal and
Industrial Solid Waste Division.
Reusable News reports on the
efforts of EPA and others to safely ]
and effectively manage the na-
tion's garbage and provides useful
information about key issues and
concerns in municipal solid waste
management.
Address comments or suggestions to:
John Leigh, Editor (OS-305)
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW.
Washington, DC 20460
The mention of publications, products,
or organizations in this newsletter does \
not constitute endorsement or approval
for use by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.
Communications Services Branch (OS-305)
Office of Solid Waste
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW.
Washington, DC 20460
Official Business, Penalty for Private Use $300
-------
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Solid Waste And
Emergency Response
(5305W)
€PA530-N-96T005
Winter/Spring 1996
vvEPA Native American Network
Special OS
>olid Waste Perspective:
EPA continues to focus on issues
iportant to Indian Tribes, we've
rected our attention to the unique
oblems facing Alaska Natives,
irticularly in the area of rural sanita-
n. Assistant Administrator Elliott
iws, along with Region 10 and Alaska
'A staff, had an opportunity to visit
iree remote villages in Alaska this
ast August.
eir travels took them to Togiak in the
stol Bay region (southwest Alaska), a
National Tribal Conference '96
The Thircl National Tribal Conference on Envi-
ronmental Management will be moving west
this year. This year's conference will be
hosted by the Flathead Nation of Montana.
The conference will be at the K5/va 13q Nuk
Resort located on the beautiful Flathead Lake
in northern Montana. The conference will
address multimedia issues throughout Indian
country and an environmental vendor exhibit
is also planned. All tribes are eagerly encour-
aged to attend to Jielp this year's conference
be bigger and better than the previous two.
if you would like more information regarding
the conference, please call Bill Swaney, Divi-
sion of Environmental Protection, Flathead
Nation at (406) 675-2700. (See page 7).
fishing village ofappf
people, to Kongiganal==a=w.»^s=r e_
Kuskokwim Delta (a village oF'appfbxi-
mately 300 people) and finally to
Northway in interior Alaska. While
each village faces situations unique to
the location and geography of their
respective regions, there were many
similarities in how the communities
addressed their problems. 5
The village of Togiak has been working
under the leadership of EPA Ameri-
Corps member Brian Abraham to
address solid waste problems. The
garbage dump, located just off the
shore of Togiak Bay was not contained
within an enclosed area and there
were automobile batteries and appli-
ances in evidence throughout, along
with discarded vehicles. A fire was
burning unattended. Driving through
town, Brian pointed out the trash
barrels he had made out of'oil drums,
areas where he and students con-
ducted clean-up activities on Earth Day
and the storage shed he was planning
to convert to a battery storage facility.
His biggest activity he advised his
visitors, was in community education
on solid waste issues. Though
progress had been slow, solutions were
coming from within and under local
leadership.
=ra-erery-rrn?lasRa the
group flew to Bethel, then hopped a
small plane for a one-hour flight to the
village of Kongiganak at the mouth of,
the Kuskokwim River. They visited the
solid waste dump site located three
miles away from the community by
skiff. During the winter, residents have
to haul their garbage over land by ,
snow mobile to the dump site making
transport difficult and dangerous.
The third day the group traveled to Tok
where they were met by staff of the
Tanana Chiefs Conference who took
them by car on the last leg of their trip
to Northway. Northway is a small ^.
Elliott Laws, Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office
of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
Recycled/Recyclable • Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on 100% Recycled Paper (50% Postconsumer) • Please Recycle as Newsprint
-------
NATIVE AMERICANNETWORK
Rural Alaska (cont'd)
village located 11/2 miles off the
Alaskan Highway with a population of
just over 100. The residents of Northway
(a town which was once part of the
Lend/Lease operation), were trying to
focus attention on removing debris left
behind by the federal government.
While the Army Corps of Engineers is
conducting a cleanup of just the con-
taminated containers, old rusted cans
and oil drums that were empty littered
the top of the ground. Region 10 and
Headquarters are currently evaluating
the FY 96 budget for possible assistance
to the village in its cleanup efforts.
In summary the unique characteristics
of Alaska require that state and federal
agencies consider the logistics of doing
business there - the geographic
characteristics and climate that some-
. times require more costly approaches,
the cost to operate facilities, the
expense and time involved in traveling
from point to point, and the high cost of
living. While funding is a big part of I
solution to rural sanitation problems, |
must go hand in hand with local
initiatives and a partnership between!
local governments and state and fed(
agencies, as well as a recognition of
local preferences by state and federal
officials. For more information, contac
Charlene Dunn in EPA's Office of Solid
Waste and Emergency Response at (2
260-9466, or Kathy Veit, EPA Region 101
(206) 553-1983. •
EPA Rule Delays Compliance
Date for Small Landfills
EPA published a final rule (60 FR 52337;
October 6,1995) extending the general
compliance date for small municipal
solid waste landfills (MSWLFs) located
in either dry or remote locations. EPA
extended the compliance date for
qualifying MSWLFs by two years, from
October 9,1995, to October 9,1997.
These small MSWLF units do not
become subject to the federal landfill
criteria (found in 40 CFR Part 258) until
October 9,1997, unless a state or tribal
program requires an earlier compliance
date.
The final rule applies only to small
MSWLFs that have no evidence of
existing ground-water contamination,
and are located in a remote or arid area
(receiving less than 25 inches of
precipitation annually).
In a related action, EPA plans to publis
a final rule by October 1996 thatallov
small MSWLFs in dry or remote loca-
tions to conduct alternative ground-
water monitoring on a case-by-case
basis. •
On March 26, 1996, President Clintorl
signed the Land Disposal Flexibility Ac]
(PL-104-119) which provides needed re|
forms to certain municipal landfill
ground-water monitoring require!
ments. See next issue for complete
details.
First Tribal Pollution Prevention
Conference a Success
Over 230 individuals from across the
country came to Billings, Montana, for
the first National Tribal Pollution Pre-
vention Conference on August 15-17,
1995, at the Radisson Northern Hotel.
Native Americans were well repre-
sented at the conference. More than
60 tribes from 30 states and Canada
were in attendance, and 26 of the 38
speakers were Native American. Con-
ference participants were exposed to a
wide variety of issues and participated
in workshops and sessions which pro-
vided insight into pollution prevention
(P2) principles and methods.
The conference featured several note-
worthy keynote speakers: Billy Frank Jr.,
Director of the Northwest Indian Fisher-
ies Commission; Tom Maulson, Chair-
man of the Lac du Flambeau Reserva-
tion in Wisconsin; Gail Small, Executive
Director of Native Action; and Bill Yel-
lowtail, Regional Administrator for EPA,
Region 8.
A three-hour workshop by motiva-
tional speaker and community
wellness expert Don Coyhis - Presi-
dent, White Bison, Inc. -- kicked off the
conference and set the stage for P2
concepts and learning. Coyhis de-
scribed the significance of the Medi-
cine Wheel and the Healing Forest in
preventing pollution and protecting the
environment. One important theme
throughout the workshop was that
preventing pollution involves a change
in behavior, and that any change must
be preceded by a vision, the "seed" '
from which action
germinates. Coyhis led
participants through innovative and
stimulating exercises designed to raise
awareness about environmental issue!
and change behavior.
There were 18 concurrent sessions
throughout the conference, and particj
pants had to choose from among threl
at a given time. Conference evaluation!
have been extremely positive and
indicate that both the scope and con-
tent of the conference were both right|
on target. There is clearly widespread
interest in holding" a second annual
conference. For additional information
about the conference, contact Todd
MacFadden at the Montana State Ex-
tension Office (406) 994-3451. H
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NATIVE AMERICAN NETWORK
DO YOU KNOW ...
Where to Look for EPA's Regulations?
The Federal Register, Regulatory Plan, and
tie Regulatory Agenda, are all sources
where tribal governments can identify
•egulations issued by EPA. These
publications can help tribal officials
determine their priorities for getting
involved in specific rules that are
important to their local communities.
Distributed every weekday except
holidays, the Federal Register lists
regulations issued by all federal
agencies (such as EPA). The Regulatory
Plan and Regulatory Agenda are
summaries of EPA's regulations. The
Plan, issued each November, outlines
EPA's annual regulatory strategy listing
key policy initiatives and regulations.
The Agenda, issued every November
and April, contains a cumulative
summary of the status of EPA regula-
tions under development.
At the back of the Agenda are several
indices. One is arranged by subject
area and the other lists regulations
expected to affect state and tribal
governments. Once an individual has
identified a regulation of interest to
their community it is recommended
that they call or write the EPA contact
listed at the end of the particular
Agenda entry to find out the current
status of a specific regulation.
if you would like to get on the mailing
list to receive a free copy of the
Agenda, call or write Bridgette Dent at
the Regulation Development Branch,
EPA, Mailcode 2136, Washington, D.C.
20460. Phone number (202) 260-5475.
Copies of the Federal Register are
available to use at many local public
libraries, federal depository libraries,
and local colleges and universities. A
list of depository libraries is available
free, upon request, by writing to:
Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washing-
ton, DC 20402, (202) 512-1800.
EPA also has a public access server on
the Internet (free of charge) where you
can obtain Federal Register information,
as well as other environmental infor-
mation. Listed below are several
addresses for logging on to the EPA
server, depending upon what type of
Internet access you might have.
O Gopher: gopher.epa.gov
O World Wide Web:
http://www.epa.gov/
O Wide Area Information Server:
wais.epa.gov •
O File Transfer Protocol: ftp.epa.gov
For assistance with EPA's Public Access
Server, contact EPA via e-mail at:
internet_support@unixmail.rtpnc.epa.gov
For users of the IndianNet system,
indianNet is now piloting access to the
Internet. Native American Network will
update readers on this initiative.
Workshops on the Federal Register,
"What It Is and How to Use It," are
offered free of charge in selected cities
across the country including Washing-
ton, DC. The workshops focus on the
regulatory process and your role in the
development of regulations. For
further information, contact Fran
McDonnell at (202) 523-4534.
For those unable to attend a workshop,
a handbook entitled The Federal
Register.- What It Is and How to Use ft
provides guidelines for using the
Federal Register and participating in the
regulatory process. To order a copy
contact the Superintendent of Docu-
ments, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402, (202) 512-1800.
The cost is $7.00 per copy
If you have any questions or would like
more .information about the Federal
Register, contact the Finding Aides Unit
at (202) 523-5227 between 8:45 a.m. and
5:15 p.m. EST.
[Information in this article was re-
printed from SCAN, Small Communities
Advisory Network, Summer 1995, Vol. 1,
Issue 1, with permission from the
international City/County Management
Association, 777 North Capitol Street,
N.E., Suite 500, Washington, DC 20002,
(202) 289-4262. People interested in
suscribing to this quarterly newsletter
should contact Shannon Flanagan at
(202) 962-3540.] •
Eastern Tribes Try Their Hand at Composting
On October 25 - 27, tribal representa-
tives from seven eastern tribes at-
tended a composting school sponsored
by the Cooperative Extension Service,
Departments of Agricultural Engineer-
ing and Horticulture, at the University
of Maryland. The quality of training at
the school is among the best in the
nation. Tribes represented were:
Eastern Band of Cherokee (North
Carolina), Catawba (South Carolina),
Poarch Creek Indians (Alabama),
Miccosukee (Florida), Seminole (Florida),
Clifton Choctaw (Louisiana) and the
Mississippi Band of Choctaws. Funding
for the project resulted through the
combined efforts of EPA's Office of Solid
Waste and the U.S. Forest Service. The
three-day course provided hands-on
instruction about a variety of compost
techniques directed toward different
mixtures of compost materials. At-
tendees learned how to construct and
maintain a compost facility, providing a
foundation for the implementation of
tribal composting programs.
Dr. Frank Gouin, professor emeritus in
the Department of Horticulture at
Maryland, will be providing technical
assistance this winter to the Cherokees
and the Catawba Nation to help them
begin composting programs. The
Catawbas are interested in yard
materials composting, and the
Cherokees are looking into establishing
a wastewater sludge compost pro-
gram. For more information, contact
Dr. Rosalie Green of EPA at (703) 308-
7268. •
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NATIVE AMERICAN NETWORK
EPA and Morgan State University Host
Environmental Ambassadors
EPA and Morgan State University (MSU)
in Baltimore, MD, are partners in an
innovative project to enhance environ-
mental awareness in the education
arena. In the summer of 1995, the
Third EPA/MSU Summer Environmental
Teachers Institute was held on the MSU
campus.
The intensive two-week Institute was
attended by 41 school teachers,
representing 25 states, who will
become "environmental ambassadors"
in their communities. All of the
participants teach in minority and/or
economically disadvantaged communi-
ties with waste sites near their schools.
Seven teachers work in Native Ameri-
can schools and many of the schools
have a student body population with a
high percentage of African-American,
Asian and Hispanic students.
The institute offers teachers a unique
hands-on opportunity to learn about
environmental issues affecting their
neighborhoods plus
a wide range of
classroom activities.
The teachers are a
critical link in
sharing their
enhanced environ-
mental awareness
with their students,
peers and commu-
nities.
The institute
featured a number
of field trips to
ecological areas
around the Baltimore area. Institute
topics included: recycling and waste
cleanup, environmental justice, pollu-
tion prevention, technology innovation,
lead issues, environmental careers, and
school-community involvement.
In conjunction with the Morgan State
University Institute, an additional four
teacher institutes were held this
summer in Regions 4, 5, 6, and 8. The
institutes provide an effective mecha-
nism to empower local communities
through education. At the completion
of the program, teachers received a
stipend, graduate credits and environ-
mental classroom materials. •
EPA Brownfields Program
"Cities Redevelop Old Industrial Sites
With EPA's Aid," "New Life for Birming-
ham, AL," "St Louis To Get Cleanup
Money,' "New EPA Program May Help
Cities," "US EPA Gives Waste Site Cleanup
Funds to 29 Cities."
These headlines represent just a handful
of the national news articles describing
EPA's Brownfields Program since the
Administrator announced the effort in
January 1995. Since then, interest in
OSWER's effort to assess, clean up and
redevelop abandoned properties -
known as Brownfields - has been
tremendous. Hundreds of conferences,
devoted solely to the issue of
Brownfields cleanup and redevelopment,
have been hosted by the American Bar
Association, numerous cities and local
governments, a variety of associations
and countless others. The high participa-
tion rate at Brownfields conferences has
far exceeded expectations.
So what are Brownfields and what is EPAs
program to address them? Brownfields
are abandoned, idled, or under-used
industrial and commercial facilities where
expansion or redevelopment is compli-
cated by real or perceived environmental
contamination. The present Superfund
law (CERCLA) creates severe impediments
to cleanup and redevelopment of
contaminated property due to fear of
liability on the part of lenders, real estate
developers and investors. The results
have been blighted urban centers, which
are rife with abandoned factory shells,
creating safety and health risks for
residents, joblessness and a sense of
hopelessness in our nation's inner cities.
EPA's Brownfields program is designed to
turn that phenomenon around. ' '
In January 1995, EPA Administrator
Browner unveiled the Brownfields Action
Agenda, a comprehensive approach to
empower states, communities and other
stakeholders interested in economic
redevelopment to work together in a
timely manner to prevent, assess, safely
clean up and sustainably reuse
Brownfields. The Action.Agenda identifies!
and addresses barriers created by
regulations, guidance, and administrative |
practices, and recommends swift,
^aggressive measures for change within
the context of the existing Superfund
law. Our efforts fall into four main
categories: 1) Brownfields pilots; 2}
clarifying liability and cleanup issues; 3)
partnerships arid outreach; and 4) job
development and training.'
Brownfields Pilots
As part of the Brownfields Action
Agenda, the Agency plans to fund up to
50 Brown-fields pilots during 1996 for up;
to $200,000 each. These pilots are
intended to provide EPA, states, and'
localities with useful information and
new strategies for promoting environ-
mental cleanup through redevelopment.
The Agency is currently funding 28
national pilots --sponsored by EPA
Headquarters and an additional 12
pilots chosen and supported by EPA
Regional Offices.,' '
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NATIVE AMERICAN NETWORK
BULLETIN BOARD
Check Out These New Regulations
OSWER has published several new regulations affecting
tribes in the area of waste management. For informa-
tion on the following regulations, please contact the
EPA Hotline at 1 -800-424-9346 or (703) 412-9810.
The proposed Indian Authorization rule for RCRA
Subtitle C has been given final approval and will be .
published in the Federal Register soon. Technical
questions can be directed to Felicia Wright at
(703) 308-8634.
Military Munitions Rule: Hazardous Waste Identifi-
cation and Management, Explosives Emergencies,
Redefinition of On-Site. Proposed Rule, 60 FR 56468,
November 8,1995; technical questions may be
directed to Ken Shuster at (703) 308-8759.
Revised Standards for Hazardous Wastes: Agency
proposed standards for hazardous waste incinera-
tors, cement kilns, .and hazardous waste burning
light weight aggregate kilns (61 FR 17358, April 19,
1996); technical questions may be directed to Larry
Denyer at (703) 308-8770.
Native American
Network Expands Its Coverage! "^
Beginning with our next issue, the Native American
Network will expand its news coverage to represent
a wider array of environmental activities within
EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency
Response (OSWER). In addition to its RCRA solid
and hazardous waste focus, the Networ/twill
feature in-depth articles and Tribal Program
Advisory sheets covering activities related to the
Superfund program, chemical emergency
preparedness, and underground storage tanks.
In addition, the Network will continue to cover
cross-media items of major significance to these
programs.. This expansion is part of a major
effort by EPA to improve its communication on
environmental issues within Indian Country.
Please contact Felicia Wright in the Office of Solid
Waste at (703) 308-8634, or Charlene Dunn, OSWER,
at (202) 260-9466 for more
information.
OSW Welcomes
'^
New Native American Intern
On September 19, 1995, the USEPA welcomed a new intern to
its Office of Solid Waste. Mr. Rides at the door, an environ-
mental studies major, will be working with the Indian
Programs Manager on current Indian environmental issues
for the next six months. Mr. Door is a Blackfoot from the
Blackfeet Nation in Northern Montana and is also minoring
in Native American Studies at Montana State University.
Mr. Rides at the door is participating in a program that EPA
and the Environmental Careers Organizations (ECO) has
put together for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral,
students with diverse backgrounds from across the
nation, seeking a career in the environmental fields. The
relationship between EPA and ECO dates back to 1985
when the Office of Exploratory Research introduced the .
Minority Institutions Summer Internship Program. The
implementation of these programs is aimed at offering
training opportunities to college students who are
' interested in environmental careers. EPA and ECO share
many common goals and currently work together on
several joint programming activities. For more informa-
tion, please call Mr. Door, at (703) 308-7287.
I
Final RCRA Public 3?
Participation Rule Promulgated
In an effort to empower all communi-
ties to become more actively involved
in local hazardous waste management,
EPA is expanding the public participa-
tion aspects of RCRA Subtitle C
permitting. EPA promulgated the RCRA.
Expanded Public Participation final
rule (Monday December 11, 1995, 60 FR
63417-63434) which calls for earlier
public involvement and expands
public access to information through-
out the permitting process and the
operational life of hazardous waste
management facilities. The rule
becomes effective, on June 11,1996. -
I
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NATIVE AMERICAN NETWORK
EPA Brownfields Program (cont'd)
To date, the results of these pilots have
been quite promising. For example, EPA
is already seeing results at the
Brownfields pilot in Cleveland, Ohio,
awarded in 1992. In Cleveland, $3.2
million has been leveraged in environ-
mental cleanup and property improve-.
ments to the bankrupt and abandoned
Sunar-Hauserman site, which now is
home to several businesses and 171
new workers. Increased payroll tax
payments alone have netted over $1
million for the local economy. Several
national pilots, just announced in July
are already coming to fruition. For
example, in Knoxville, Tennessee, a
buyer has been found for the first
Brownfields site; and a solar technol-
ogy business has finalized an agree-
ment to locate in the new eco-indus-
trial park, in Cape Charles, Virginia, the
Commonwealth's poorest community.
There has been an overwhelming
response to the Brownfields Pilot
competition. The Agency has already
reviewed over 140 applications and we
expect to receive more by March 1996,
the final application deadline.
Clarification of Liability
and Cleanup Issues
Other initiatives that are critical to the
success of the program include an
effort by the Office of Emergency and
Remedial Response (OERR) to archive
24,000 sites from the Federal Superfund
Inventory (CERCLIS). Among these sites,
which are no longer of further federal
interest, are thousands of sites having
little or no contamination, and sites
now addressed by state cleanup
programs. We hope that archiving
these sites -- removing them from
CERCLIS -- will encourage the cleanup
and redevelopment of these proper-
ties. In addition, OERR has issued Land
Use Guidance ensuring that EPA will
consider both future land use during
Superfund cleanups and the communi-
ties' interests when choosing remedies.
This guidance should facilitate expe-
dited and more cost effective-cleanups
at Brownfields sites.
Further, guidance clarifying liability for
prospective purchasers, municipalities
and lenders, issued by the Office of
Enforcement and Compliance Assur-
ance (OECA) and the Office of Under-
ground Storage Tanks (OUST), will help
to remove some of the uncertainties
often associated with these properties.
Partnerships and
Outreach
OSWER's Brownfields initiative is clearly
about partnerships, including partner-
ships with other EPA offices (e.g., OERR,
OUST and OECA), other federal agencies
and a variety of stakeholders. The
Outreach and Special Projects Staff
(OSPS) in OSWER, which oversees the
Brownfields initiative, is also working
with the Agency's Common Sense
Initiative (CSl) and has identified the
Brownfields pilot in Birmingham,
Alabama, as an opportunity to link
issues being addressed in the iron and
steel sector. In addition, EPA's ten
Regions have designated Brownfields
Coordinators who oversee the
Brownfields pilots and other
Brownfields initiatives.
External partnerships with the Associa-
tion of State and Territorial Solid Waste
Management Officials (ASTSWMO) will
ensure that state voluntary cleanup
programs play an important role in this
initiative. Our efforts with the Depart-
ment of Housing and Urban Develop-
ment to collaborate in cities desig-
nated as Empowerment Zones/
Enterprise Communities (EZ/EC) will
leverage scarce federal resources. A
partnership with the National Environ-
mental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC)
continues to. provide us with the
opportunity to reach communities
across the country and receive direct
input from citizens about the Agency's
Brownfields initiative. And our joining
forces with the Department of Labor
will provide the important link to our
job training.
Job Development
and Training
We recognize the need to promote
environmental workforce training
programs in Brownfields communities
throughout the country. The gap
between the demand for environmen-
tal workforce training and the ability of
educational institutions to respond to
that demand is growing. EPA, local
organizations and community colleges
have established partnerships to
develop long-term plans for fostering
workforce development in Brownfields
communities. For example, EPA is
working with the Hazardous Materials
Training and Research Institute (HMTRl)
to expand environmental training and
curriculum development at community
colleges located near Brownfields pilot
communities. In November, HMTRl,
with EPA support, hosted a workshop
at the Catonsville Community College
in Maryland to assist community
colleges from Brownfields cities in
developing environmental job training
programs. Seventeen of our pilot cities
were represented. Initiatives such as
this will help to ensure that
Brownfields cleanup and redevelop-
ment efforts have the trained '
workforce needed to revitalize con-
taminated properties and that local
community members are involved in
these efforts.
So What Is Next?
As we approach the one year anniver-
sary of the Brownfields Action Agenda,
many of the goals we set for ourselves
have been accomplished. However,
Brownfields redevelopment involves
some of the critical issues of our time -
-urban sustainability protection of
human health and the environment,
environmental justice, and its close ally
public participation. This presents a
unique challenge for everyone — a
challenge we hope to address with the
help of others during the year. The
first milestone in '96 was a National
Brownfields Meeting in Washington, DC,
on February 13th-14th, which began
identifying opportunities for augment-
ing the environmental cleanup and
redevelopment efforts in Brownfields
pilot cities.
-------
!
Registration Form
Third National Tribal Conference on
Environmental Management
KwaTaqNuk Resort, Poison, Montana
May 21-23, 1996
NAME of Participant
ADDRESS:
(please print clearly)
TELEPHONE NUMBER: Home-. (
Office: (
OCCUPATION:
EMPLOYER AND ADDRESS:
Are you the designated representative to receive reimbursement?
Yes
No
Third National Tribal Conference on Environmental Management
Registration Receipt
( ) Pre-Registration Fee (includes banquet) , $75.00
Before May 5,1996
( ) On-Site Registration (includes banquet) $100.00
After May 5, 1996
( ) Extra Banquet Ticket $20.00
Method of Payment: Cash Check (No. )
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
Received From:
Date:
Dollars $
For:
( ) Pre-Registration ($75.00)
( ) On-Site Registration ($100.00)
( ) Banquet Only ($20.00)
Received bv:
-------
NATIVE AMERICAN NETWORK
State/Tribal
Implementation Rule
Proposed
Onjanuary 26,1996, the State/Tribal
Implementation Rule (STIR) was pub-
lished in the Federal Register, and has a
90-day public comment period begin-
ning on this date. The proposed STIR
gives Indian tribes the opportunity to
apply for EPA-approved municipal solid
waste landfill (MSWLF) permit programs,
and details the procedures and criteria
EPA will use to make permit approval
decisions.
Tlribal or state permitting programs that
are approved by EPA have the option of
allowing owners or operators of
municipal solid waste landfills some
flexibility in me'etingthe federal
requirements found in 40 CFR Part 258.
Tribes or states with unapproved
programs are not allowed this flexibility,
arid 'must follow the explicit federal, '
MSWLF design requirements. Approved
tribes or states can allow alternative
landfill designs as long as owners and
operators demonstrate that the designs
meet federal performance standards.
For example, an approved tribe or state
could use this flexibility in designing a
landfill liner or a final landfill cover.
EPA is seeking comment in the pro-
posed rule on whether the Agency has
incorporated suitable criteria and
procedures for determining if a tribe's
permit program is adequate. EPA also
seeks comment on whether thq.rdle_'..
gives appropriate terms for tribal-' " ;
governmental positions, such as
Governor, Attorney General, Agency ;'
and Director. EPA encourages trlbes'to.
submit comments to Docket Clerk,
Docket NO. F-96-STIP-FFFFF, USEPA ......
Headquarters at Mail Code 5305 W, 40)
.M Street, SW, Washington, District of
Columbia, 20460. The telephone ;\ ^
number for the RCRA Docket is ,(703) '"'•'
603-9230. Instructions for filing'
comments are included in the pro-;
posed rule. For additional inforrriatiorr
about the proposed STIR, call Mia
Zmud in the Office of Solid Waste,at.
(703)308-7263. • . vy; • ;
Native American Network is published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Solid Waste. -•*
Editor-. Felicia Wright (703) 308-8634. ' ' K
The views expressed in Native American Network are those of the authors. Articles by non- EPA authors do not'
necessarily reflect or represent EPA policy. The intent of Native American Network is to provide a diverse array of
information for those concerned about environmental issues in Indian country and to provide a forum for regulatory
information exchange among tribal governments, EPA, other federal agencies, and state and local governments."
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
(5305)
Washington, DC 20460
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
-------
EPA/530-SW-89-056
Pollution Prevention
in Metal Manufacturing
Saving Money
Through Pollution Prevention
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Solid Waste
October 1989
Printed on Recycled Paper
-------
Preface
Pollution Prevention in Metal Manufacturing is intended to provide you with a brief introduction
to pollution prevention, including what it is, how it can put money back into your company's pocket, what
its basic elements are, and where you can get additional assistance. This booklet also provides a sample
of the various technical options available to a wide range of metal manufacturing facilities. Typical
economics (for example, capital investment, annual .savings^ and payback periods) are also provided for many
of the options. .
The technical and economic information in Pollution Prevention-in Metal Manufacturing is intended
to be representative more than comprehensive. The collection and organization of this information is an
ongoing and evolutionary process. The first version of this booklet reflects a sampling of information
readily available at the time of preparation. As more pollution prevention activity takes place and technical
approaches to pollution prevention change, EPA hopes to update and publish follow-up versions of this
booklet.
Pollution Prevention in Metal Manufacturing is only one of many sources of pollution prevention
information available to you from EPA! For additional information about pollution prevention, or to
comment on this booklet,.call: -.••,.,-. :/• ••-vv'-1 i^ ^C'.w Hf '!l i^'Vf HV
• The RCRA/Superfund Hotline, at (800) 424-9346, or
(202) 382-3000;
• Myles Morse, of EPA's Pollution Prevention Information
Clearinghouse, at (202) 475-7161; or
* James Launsbury, Director of EPA's Waste Minimization
Staff, at (202) 382-4807.
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The Purpose of this Booklet
If your metal manufacturing operations generate any wastes, the information in this booklet can
help your firm.
POLLUTION PREVENTKWf CAN:
Significantly reduce your firm's costs, liabilities, and
regulatory burdens associated with waste management; and
Enhance your firm's efficiency, product quality, and public
image.
ited States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed this booklet to help your
a pollution prevention program. It highlights the various components of a pollution
m. It also provides two tables to help you identify specific pollution prevention options,
es of processes or operations at your facility. The tables contain technical, cost, and waste
ation on a variety of options that have actually been used at metal manufacturing facilities.
in contained in the tables will help you evaluate potential annual savings from numerous
ntion techniques.
formation in this Booklet
Helpful to Yottr Company
it is designed to be. most useful to
engage in metal manufacturing
|ou should read this booklet if your
res metal products, or is involved in
lufacturing-type processes.
FACTURING INCLUDES:
Cutting or machining
Degreasing
Pickling
Heat treating
Finishing or painting
Equipment and facility
cleanup
Electroplating
TTH3=DOoklet will also be useful if your facility
uses any combustible or flammable solvents* strong
acid or alkaline solutions, plating solutions, paints,
cyanide solutions, or any solutions containing heavy
metals. Table I identifies how these materials are
typically used and Table II shows what many
facilities have done to save money.
Your Company Can Save Money by
Minimizing the Waste it Generates
In addition to 'relying on traditional waste
management approaches (such as treating or dis-
posing of waste after it has been generated), many
facility managers are finding that by minimizing the
amount of waste their operations generate they can
actually improve their firm's "bottom line."
POLLUTION PREVENTION REDUCES:
• Aggregate costs for raw materials
• Treatment/disposal costs .
• Environmental liability and fines
In addition to these economic incentives for
pollution prevention, EPA is taking several steps to
create additional incentives for firms to reduce
their waste generation. Some of EPA's actions
include?
• Making technical information available to
help firms identify ways of reducing waste
generation.
• Supporting the development of State
programs to assist firms in their waste
reduction efforts.
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0
I—
o ' I o
Requiring hazardous waste generators, under
the Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act (RCRA), to certify on their hazardous
waste manifests and annuai permit reports
that they have a "program-in-place" to
reduce the volume or quantity and toxicity
of their hazardous wastes as much as
economically practical.
Requiring generators to describe on their
RCRA biennial reports the efforts they have
undertaken during the year to reduce the
volume and toxicity of their hazardous waste,
and to compare these efforts to previous
years.
What is "Pollution Prevention?*
Pollution prevention emphasizes reducing or
eliminating any releases of hazardous materials
(including hazardous wastes) into the environment
through the use of source reduction and
environmentally-sound recycling. A pollution
prevention program can be developed by any
business that generates wastes. The program might
include several elements intended to reduce, to the
extent feasible, any air or water discharges, or any
solid or hazardous waste that is generated at the
facility.
Source reduction is intended to minimize or
eliminate the waste at its source, before it is
generated or released. Recycling, on the other
hand, focuses on the use, reuse, or reclamation of
the waste as an effective substitute for a
commercial product or as an ingredient or
feedstock in a process. Recycling by use or reuse
involves returning a waste material to either the
originating process or another process as a
substitute for an input material Reclamation is
the recovery of a valuable material, or removal of
impurities, from a waste.
Because it is significantly more efficient and
less expensive to prevent the generation of waste
m the first place, you should consider source
•reduction to be the most preferable waste
management option. Source reduction is followed,
in order of decreasing preference, by recycling,
treatment (for example, incineration or
stabilization), and land disposal
POLLUTION PREVENTION TERMS
Pollution Prevention - Reducing or
eliminating discharges and/or emissions to
the environment through the use of source
reduction and environmentally-sound
recycling.
Source Reduction - Reducing or
eliminating waste at its point of generation.
Recycling - Reprocessing waste in a way
that makes it useful again. Recycling
focuses on the use, reuse, or reclamation
of waste.
Use or Reuse - Returning a waste
material to the original process that
generated the waste or employing it in
another process as a substitute for an
input material.
Reclamation - Recovering valuable
materials or removing impurities from a~
waste.
Many Pollution Prevention Options Are Available
A pollution prevention program might include
any number of specific pollution prevention
techniques, each with a potentially unlimited range
of pollution prevention options. Tne options under
each technique that may be appropriate to your
operation are limited only by your ingenuity. Table
II provides suggested pollution prevention options
that have actually been used in industry. The
options are organized by technique. You should
use these suggested options only as a starting point
for your own creativity. Pollution prevention
techniques are described below:
• Training and supervision — provide
employees with the information and the
incentive necessary to minimize waste
generation in their daily duties.
This technique may include ensuring
that employees know and practice
\
• 2
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proper and efficient use of tools and
supplies, and that they are aware of,
understand, and support your
company's pollution prevention goals.
Production planning and sequencing — plan
and sequence production so that only
necessary operations are performed and that
no operation is needlessly "undone" by a
following operation.
One example is to sort out "reject"
parts priorto painting or electroplating.
A second example is to reduce the
frequency of having to clean equipment
(e.g., painting all products of the same
color at once). A third example is to
schedule batch processing in a manner
that allows the wastes or residues from
'one batch to be used as an input for
the subsequent batch (e.g., to schedule
paint formulation from lighter shades
to darker) so that equipment need not
be cleaned between batches.
Process or equipment modification - change
the process, or the parameters or equipment
used in that process, to reduce the amount
of waste generated.
You can change to a paint application
technique that is more efficient than
spray painting, reduce overspray by
reducing the atomizing air pressure to
paint spraying equipment, reduce drag-
out by reducing the withdrawal speed
of parts from plating tanks, or improve
a plating line by incorporating dragout
recovery tanks or reactive rinsing.
material substitution — repl
raw materials with raw materials that will
result in the generation of less waste.
Examples include substituting alkali
washes for solvent degreasers» and
replacing oil with lime or borax soap
as the drawing agent in cold forming
operations.
• Loss prevention and housekeeping — perform
preventative maintenance and manage
equipment and materials so as. to minimize
opportunities for teaks, spills, and other
releases of potentially hazardous wastes.
For example, clean spray guns in a
manner that does not damage leather
L_
packings and subsequently causes
the guns to leak; or place drip
pans under leaking machinery to
allow recovery of the leaking fluid.
Waste segregation and separation — avoid
mixing different types of wastes, and mixing
hazardous wastes with non-hazardous
wastes. This technique makes the recovery
of hazardous wastes easier by minimizing
the number of different hazardous con-
stituents in any given waste stream. Also,
it prevents the contamination of non-
hazardous wastes.
For example, segregate scrap metal by
metal type, and segregate different
kinds of used oils.
Recycling — use or reuse a waste as an
effective substitute for a commercial
product or as an ingredient or feedstock.
Recycling can be on-site, or it can be off-
site through another user or a waste
exchange.
Examples of recycling include using a
small on-site still to recover degreas-
ing solvents, and selling waste pickling
acids as feedstocks for fertilizer
manufacturing.
The Elements of a Successful
Pollution Prevention Program
Experience demonstrates that successful
pollution prevention programs have certain
common elements. These elements are described
below:
• Support from top management -- Support
for a pollution prevention program should
- 3 -
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be dearly affirmed by your top management
in a written statement. This statement
should be circulated among all employees.
• Explicit program goals and objectives -
Explicitly identify the. goals and objectives
for the pollution prevention program in a
written statement. The goals should include
reducing the volume or toxicity of the waste
as much as is technically and economically
feasible. The objectives should include a
commitment to evaluate technologies,
procedures, and personnel training.
• Accurate, waste accounting - Carefully track
changes over time in the types, amounts,
and hazardous constituents of your wastes.
* Accurate cost accounting — Ensure that your
firm uses "fully-loaded" costs when
accounting for waste management and
disposal (i.e., costs should account for all
liability, regulatory compliance, permitting,
hauling, treatment, and oversight costs).
* Involvement of all emplane; ~ Involve all
appropriate employees in pollution
prevention planning and implementation.
You can use rewards and incentives to en-
courage employee involvement
• &chanec of technology and information -
Encourage exchange of technology and
information both within your firm and
between your firm and others. Firms often
contain a wealth of resources and
information that results from years of
operating experience. Such resources and
information can play a major role in the
efficient development of a pollution
prevention program. Other organizations
you should consult include EPA Region's
and Headquarter's pollution prevention
information clearinghouses, state agencies,
trade associations, universities and colleges,
nonprofit business assistance organisations,'
and professional consultants.
V Periodic pollution prevention assessment^ .
- Periodically review individual processes
(or facilities) to identify new or changing
opportunities to undertake pollution
prevention.
Basically, you should develop your own
program for pollution prevention, and wherever
possible, formally define the program in a written
document. You should also develop an
implementation plan for each of your faculties or
processes and periodically review, revise, and
update the program to reflect changing conditions.
You will need a method of tracking changes in
waste generation rates and accounting for sources
of waste. Establishing an effective pollution
prevention program is not difficult, but it does
require commitment from you and all of your
firm's employees, including corporate management.
Where To Go For Information and Help
While it is important that you be actively
involved in establishing and promoting your firm's
pollution prevention program, you may wish to seek
the guidance or help of other experts. Some
organizations that you may wish to contact include:
• Trade Associations « Often trade
associations can provide you with pollution
prevention assistance directly, or they can
refer you to someone who can.
• State Waste Management Agencies - These
agencies often have staff people who are
knowledgeable about pollution prevention
and are willing to provide assistance.
• Regional Environmental Protection Agency
Offices - There are ten Regional Offices
of the Environmental Protection Agency.
The easiest way to find out which Regional
Office is responsible for your area is to
call the toll free RCRA/Superfund Hotline
(see below) and ask for the telephone
number or address of the Regional Office
responsible for your area.
• Environmental Protection Agency - Within
EPA Headquarters you may conveniently
contact any of the following information
sources:
• 4 -
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Hazardous Waste Minimization Staff, at (202)
382-4807, can provide technical waste minimiza-
tion information;
Waste Minimization Branch, at (513) 569-7529,
can assist you with research and development
activities regarding waste minimization
assessments, innovative technology and pollution
prevention evaluations, and activities of the Waste
Reduction Institute for Scientists and Engineers;
Pollution Prevention Office, at (202) 382-4335,
can assist you in _ understanding pollution
prevention and provide you with a great deal of
pollution prevention information; and the
Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse.
which includes a collection of reference literature
pertaining to pollution prevention, outreach
efforts, the Electronic Information Exchange
System, and the RCRA/Superfund Hotline:
Electronic Information Exchange
System rEIESI. at (301) 589-8366, is
an easy-to-use, interactive PC-based
system. Using a personal computer
and a modem, you can access EIES
to obtain a wide variety of pollution
prevention information, including case
studies, a calendar of events, a
directory of experts, a bibliography of
publications! and descriptions, of
federal and state pollution prevention
programs. You can use an interactive
message center to pose pollution
prevention questions or provide
comments to other users. The
infonnation in Table II that is followed
by an "EIES Number" has come from
references that are available to you
through EIES. You may examine
these references for additional
pollution prevention infonnation or
ideas.
RCRA/Superfund Hotline, at (800)
424-9346 (or (202) 382-3000), can
answer your pollution prevention
questions, help you access infonnation
in EIES, and assist you in searching
for and obtaining documents.
HAVE YOU TRIED
POLLUTION PREVENTION?
If you have tried, or are planning on
trying any pollution prevention activity at
your facility and woold like to share your
ideas or experience, .use your personal
computer to access the Electronic
Information Exchange System (EIES) at
(301) 589-8366, and let others know! We
can all learn from your experience!
How To Use the Pollution Prevention Tables
Two tables are included in this booklet as a
quick guide, to help you begin identifying specific
pollution prevention options. The ideas
represented in these tables have been used at
actual facilities, resulting in cost savings. Table I
identifies typical processes and operations in the
metal manufacturing industry. This table also
identifies typical materials used and types of waste
generated for each process.
Table II is also broken down by process and
operation. Table II, however, provides pollution
prevention options for each {process and operation.
These pofintioff pi eveuuuu options are organized
by technique, as described in the previous section.
In addition, Table II provides examples of cost and
savings realized by other facilities, and additional
relevant information.1 You should use this
information to help decide which options would
best serve your needs. When properly installed
and maintained, none of the options described on
Table II should adversely affect the quality of your
products and all should reduce your potential
liability from improper waare management. The
entries in Table II that are followed by an 'EIES
Number" have come from references that are
available to you through EIES. You may request
and examine these references for additional
pollution prevention information or ideas.
1The cost, savings, and waste reduction iafi
provided in Table II is based on actual case studies and
reflects the successes of actual metal manufacturing facilities. Because specific applications are highly variable,
however, you should use this infonnation only as an indicator of how a particular pollution prevention option
may perform under your circumstances.
5 -
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TABLE I
TYPICAL METAL MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS
WHICH MAY PRODUCE WASTES
TYPICAL
PROCESS OR
OPERATION
TYPICAL
MATERIALS
USED
GENERAL TYPES
OF
WASTE GENERATED
Metal Cutting or
Machining
• Cutting oils
• Degreasing and cleaning solvents
• Acids
• Heavy metals
• Acid/alkaline wastes
• Heavy metal wastes
• Solvent wastes
• Waste oils
Degreasing
Pickling
• Acid/alkaline cleaners
• Organic solvents
• Acid/alkaline solutions
• Acid/alkaline wastes
• Igm'table wastes
• Solvent wastes
• Still bottoms
• Acid/alkaline wastes
• Heavy metal wastes
Heat Treating
• Acid/alkaline solutions
» Cyanide
• Oils
• Acid/alkaline wastes
» Cyanide wastes.
• Heavy metal wastes
• Waste oils
Metal Finishing and
Painting Cleanup
• Solvents
• Paint carrier fluids
• Heavy metal paint wastes
• Ignitable paint wastes
• Solvent wastes
• Still bottoms
Facility Cleanup
Cteaning solvents
Solvent wastes
Still bottoms
Electroplating
• Acid/alkaline solutions •
• Heavy metal bearing solutions
• Cyanide bearing solutions
Acid/alkaline wastes
Cyanide wastes
Heavy metal wastes
Plating wastes
Reactive wastes
Wastewaters
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TABLE n
POLLUTION PREVENTION PRACTICES FOR PROCESSES
AND OPERATIONS IN METAL MANUFACTURING
POLLUTION POLLUTION;
PREVENTION PREVENTION
TECHNIQUES OPTIONS
EXAMPLES OF
COSTS AND SAVINGS,
AND OTHER INFORMATION*
METAL CUTTING OR MACHINING
Production
Planning and
Sequencing
Process or
Equipment
Modification
Improve scheduling of processes that require
use of varying oil types in order to reduce
the number of cleanouts.
Standardize the oil types used for machining,
turning, lathing, etc. This reduces the
number of equipment cleanouts, and the
amount of leftovers and mixed wastes.
Use specific pipes and lines for each set of
merals or processes that require a specific oil
in order to reduce the amount of cleanouts.
Save on coolant costs by extending machine
coolant life through the use of a centrifuge
and the addition of biocides.
Install a second high speed centrifuge on a
system already operating with a single
centrifuge to improve recovery efficiency
even more.
Install a chip wringer to recover excess
coolant on aluminum chips.
Install a coolact reaawery sysisst and.
collection vehicle for madanea not on the
central coolant sump.
Waste Savings/Redactions: 25% reduction in plant-wide
waste coolant generation. Prodact/Wsste Throughput
Information: based on handling 20,600 gallons of coolant
per year. [EIES Number 100-101, p. 440]
Capital Investment: $126,000. Payback Period: 3.1 years.
Protect/Waste Throughput Information: based on handling
20,600 gallons of coolant per year. [EIES Number 100-101,
p. 441]
Capital Investment: 5233,500. Payback Period: 0.9 years.
Product/Waste Throughput Information: based on handling
20,600 gallons of coolant per year. [EIES Number 100-101.
p. 441]
Capital Investment: 511,000 to 323,000 (chip wringer and
• centrifuge system). [EIES Number 101-004, p. 8.2-6]
C«fsi&4 lBv«9iise8& £104,000. Payback Perteak 1.9 years.
Predesi/Wesie Throughput Information: based on handling
20,600 gallons of coolant per year. [EIES Number 100-101,
p. 441]
•• Use a coolant analyzer to allow better
control of coolant quality.
Use an ultrafiltration system to remove
soluble oils from wastewater streams.
Capital Investment: $5,000. Payback Period: 0.7 years.
Prcdaci/Waste Throughput Information: based on handling
20,600 gallons of coolant per year. [EIES Number 100-101,
p. 441]
Savings: 5200,000 (in disposal costs).
ProdBct/Waste ThroBgnpot Information: Based on a
wastewater flow rate of 860 to 1,800 gallons per day. "[EIES
Number 805-001]
The cost, savings, and waste reduction information provided in- Tsbte- II is based on actual case studies and reflects the successes of
actual metal manufacturing facilities. Because specific applications are highly varabte, however, you should use this information only as
an indicator of how a particular pollution prevention option may perform under your circumstances.
These options cost less, than S30.000 to implement.
-------
TABLE n (continued)
POLLUTION PREVENTION PRACTICES FOR PROCESSES
AND OPERATIONS IN METAL MANUFACTURING
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
TECHNIQUES
'OLLUTION
PREVENTION
OPTIONS
EXAMPLES OF
COSTS AND SAVINGS,
AND OTHER INFORMATION*
Raw Material
Substitution
Use disk or belt skimmers to remove way oil
from machine coolants and prolong coolant
life. Also, design sumps for ease of cleaning.
In cold forming or other processes where oil
is used only as a lubricant, substitute a hot
lime bath or borax soap for oil.
Waste Savings/Redaction: Coolant is now disposed once
per year rather than 3-6 times per year. fEIES Number
°°" "01. p. 78]
*>>
" Use a stamping lubricant thai can
remain on the piece until the annealing
process, where it is burned off. This
eliminates the need for hazardous degreasing
solvents and alkali cleaners.
Annual Savings: 312.000 (results from reduced disposal.
raw material, and labor costs). Waste Throughput
Information: The amount of waste solvents and cleaners
was reduced from 30,000 Ibs. in 1982 to 13,000 Ibs. in 1986.
Employee working conditions were also improved by
removing vapors associated with the old cleaners. [EIES
Number 034-006, p. 5]
VVasU
Segregation
a ad
If filtration or reclamation of oil is required
before reuse, segregate the used oils in order
to prevent mixing wastes.
** Segregation of metal dust or scrap by
type often increases the value of metal for
resale (e.g., sell previously disposed metallic
dust to a zinc smelter).
Capital Investment: SO. Annual Savings: 3130,000.
Payback Period: immediate. Waste Savings/Reduction:
2,700 tons per year. [EIES Number 306-001, p. 109]
'" Improve housekeeping techniques to
prevent cutting oils from becoming
contaminated with 1,1,1-trichloroethane (e.g.,
use care when cleaning cutting equipment to
prevent the mature of enttmg oil and Use
cleaning solvent).
Capital Investment: SO. Annual Savings: S3.000 in
disposal costs. Waste Savings/Reduction: 60% (30 tons
reduced to 10 tons). (EIES Number 005-043, p. 24]
Recycling
Where possible, recycte oil from cutting/
machining operations. Often oils need no
treatment before recycling:
Capital Investment: SI,900,000. Annual Savings:
5156,000. Waste Throughput Information: 2 million
gallons per year. Facility reclaims oil and metal from
process water. [EIES Number 306-001, p. 137]
Oil scrap mixtures can be centrifuged to
recover the bulk of the oil for reuse.
Follow-up magnetic and paper nitration of
cutting. Quids, with. "^raO** ration By so
doing, a much larger percentage of cutting
fluids, can be reused.
Capital Investment- 542,000 (1976). Annual Savings:
333,800 (1980). [EIES Number 400-072]
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TABLE n (continued)
POLLUTION PREVENTION PRACTICES FOR PROCESSES
AND OPERATIONS IN METAL MANUFACTURING
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
TECHNIQUES
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
OPTIONS
EXAMPLES OF
COSTS AND SAVINGS,
AND OTHER INFORMATION*
' * Perform on-site purification of hydraulic
oils using commercial "off-the-shelf" cartridge
filter systems.
Capital Investment: $28,000. Annual Savings:
317,800/year based on operating costs, avoided new oil
purchase, and lost resale revenues. Payback Period: less
than 2 years. Product/Wast* Throughput Information:
example facility handles 12300 gallonsfyear of waste
hydraulic oil. [EIES Number 100-101, p. 144]
** Use a continuous flow treatment system
to regenerate and reuse aluminum chemical
milling solutions.
Capital Investment: 5465,000. Annual Savings: $342,000.
Payback Period: less than 2 years. Waste Savings/
Redaction: 90%. [EIES Number 806-001, p. 11]
** Use a settling tank (to remove solids)
and a coalescing unit (to remove tramp oils
to recover metal-working fluids.
DECREASING
Annual Savings: $26,800 (resulting from reduced material,
labor, and disposal costs). [EIES Number 034-009, p. 679]
**
Training and •• Improve solvent management by
Supervision requiring employees to obtain solvent
through their shop foreman. Also, reuse
"waste" solvents ft"ui deatiei up-stream
operations in down-stream, machine shop-
type processes.
Capital Investment: SO. Annual Savings: 57,200. Waste
Savings/Reduction: 49% (310 tons reduced to 152 tons).
Product/Waste Throughput Information: original waste
stream hiiMty: reactive anion* (6-.10& gatlotw/yr), waste oils
(1,250 gallons/yr), hatogenated solvents (500 gallons/yr).
[EIES Number 005-043, p. 74]
Production Pre-cleaning will extend the life of the
Planning and aqueous or vapor degreasing solvent (wipe,
Sequencing squeeze, or blow part with air, shot, etc.).
Annual Savings: 540,000. Payback Period: 2 years.
Waste Savings/Reduction: 48,000 gallons of aqueous waste.
Aluminum shot was used to preclean pans. [EIES Number
306-001, p. 239]
Use countercurrem solvent cleaning (i.e.,
rinse initially in previously used sataent aast
progres* to new, clean solvent).
Cold clean with a recycled mineral spirits
stream to remove the bulk of oil before final
vapor degreasing.
Only degrease parts that must be cleaned.
Do not routinely degrease all parts.
Process or
EqoipBMOt
Modifies****
The loss of solvent to the atmosphere from
vapor degreasing equipment can be reduced
by:
• increasing the free board height above
the vapor level to 75% of tank width;
covering the degreasing unit (automatic
covers are available):
- 9
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TABLE II (continued)
POLLUTION PREVENTION PRACTICES FOR PROCESSES
AND OPERATIONS IN METAL MANUFACTURING
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
TECHNIQUES
POLLUTION E
PREVENTION C
OPTIONS A
• installing refrigerator coils (or additional
coils) above the vapor zone;
• routing parts before removal from the
vapor degreaser to allow all condensed
solvent to return to degreasing unit;
• controlling the speed at which parts are
rcnrovsd (10 ft/mm or lest ii desirable)
so as not to disturb the vapor line;
EXAMPLES OF
COSTS AND SAVINGS,
AND OTHER INFORMATION*
installing thermostatic heating controls
on solvent tanks; and
• adding in-line filters to prevent
paniculate buildup in the degreaser.
•• Reduce grease accumulation by adding
automatic oilers, to avoid- «""••«« oil
applications. [EIES Number 6W-OOIJ
Raw Material
Substitution
•• Use less hazardous degreasing agents
such as petroleum solvents or alkali washes.
For example, replace halogenated solvents
(e.g., trichloroethylene) with liquid alkali
cleaning compounds.
Capital Investment: SO. Annual Savings: SI2.000.
Payback Period: immediate. Waste Savings/Reduction:
30% of 1,1,1-trichIoroethane replaced with an aqueous
cleaner. [EIES Number 034-010. p. 25]
Capital Investment: 5438,000. Payback Period: 5.1 years.
Replaced trichloroethylene degreaser with aqueous cleaner
system. [EIES. Number 022412. p. 122}
Annual Savings: $2,000. Payback Period: 1.6 years.
Substituted chlorofluorocarbon solvents with proprietary
cleaner. [EIES Number 022-013]
Annual Savings: 38% of cost savings and a 62% return on
investment. Payback Period: L.6 years. [EIES Number
022-011, p.
Recycling
" Recycle spent degreasing solvents on
site using batch stills.
Capital Investment: 57,500. Annual Savings: 590.000.
Payback Period: 1 month. Waste Savings/Reduction:.
10,000 gallons annually of spent solvents by in-house
distillation. [EIES Number 306-001, p. 79]
Capital Investment: $2,600-54.100 and 54,200-517,000.
Product Throughput Information: 35-60 gallons per hour
and 0.6-20 gallons per hour, respectively. Two cost ,md
throughput estimates for distillation units from two vendors
[EIES Number 005-003. p. 70)
• 10 -
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TABLE II (continued)
POLLUTION PREVENTION PRACTICES FOR PROCESSES
AND OPERATIONS IN METAL MANUFACTURING
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
TECHNIQUES
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
OPTIONS
EXAMPLES OF
COSTS AND SAVINGS,
AND OTHER INFORMATION*
•• Use simple batch distillation to extend
the life of 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1.1,1-TCA).
Capital Investment: S3.500 (1978). Annual Savings:
S50.400. Product/Wist* Throughput Information: facility
handles 40,450 gallons 1,1,1-TCA per year. [EIES Number
100-101, p. 442]
** When on-site recycling is not possible,
agreements can be made with supply
companies to remove old solvents.
Capital Investment: 53,250 for a temporary storage
building. Annual Savings: $8,260. Payback Period: less
than 6 months. Waste Savings/Reduction: 38.000 pounds
per year of solvent sent off site for recycling. [EIES
Number 306-001, p. 149]
" Arrange a cooperative agreement with
other small companies to centrally recycle
solvent.
PICKLING
Process or
Equipment
Modification
Increase the number of rinses after each
process bath and keep the rinsing counter-
current in order to reduce, dragq'
Acids in the wastewaters may be recoverable
by evaporation.
Reduce rinse contamination via dragout by:
• slowing and smoothing removal of pans,
rotating them if necessary;
• using surfactants and other wetting
agents;
• maximizing drip time;
• using drainage boards to direct dripping
solution* back to process tanks;
• installing dragout recovery tanks to
capture dripping solutions:
• using a fog spray rinsing technique
above process tanks;
• using techniques such as air knives or
squeegees to wipe baih solutions off of
the part; and
-------
TABLE n (continued)
POLLUTION PREVENTION PRACTICES FOR PROCESSES
AND OPERATIONS IN METAL MANUFACTURING
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
TECHNIQUES
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
OPTIONS
EXAMPLES OF
COSTS AND SAVINGS,
AND OTHER INFORMATION*
changing bath temperature or
concentrations to reduce the solution
surface tension.
Instead of pickling brass parts in nitric acid,
place them in a vibrating apparatus with
abrasive glass marbles or steel balls. A
slightly acid additive is used with the glass
marbles, and a slightly basic additive is used
with the steel bails.
Capital Investment: S62.300 (1979); 50% less than
conventional nitric acid pickling. [EIES Number 400-036]
" Use mechanical scraping instead of acid
solution to remove oxides of titanium.
Annual Savings: SO; cost of mechanical stripping equals
cost of chemical disposal. Waste Savings/Reduction: 100%:
Waste Throughput Information: previously disposed IS
tons/year of acid with metals. [EIES Number 005-043
P- 32]
" For cleaning nickel and titanium alloy,
replace alkaline etching bath with a
mechanical abrasive system that uses a silk
and carbide pad and pressure to clean or
"brighten" the metal.
Capital Investment: S3.250. Annual Savings: 57,500.
Waste Savings/Reduction: 100%. Waste Throughput
Information: previous etching bath waste total was 12.000
jattom/yetr. [E1F.S Number 063-043, p. 50]
Clean copper sheeting mechanically with a
rotating brush machine that scrubs with
pumice, instead of cleaning with ammonium
persulfate, phosphoric acid, or sulfuric acid
(may generate non-hazardous waste sludge).
1 Capital Investment: S59.000. Annual Savings: more than
$15,000. Payback Period: 3 years. Waste Savings/
Reduction: 40,000 pounds of copper etching waste reduced
to zero. (EIES Number 101-028, p. H-3]
Annual Savings: 515,000 in raw materials, disposal, and
labor. Payback Period: 3 years. Wast* Savings/Reduction:
avoids generation of 40,000 pounds per year of hazardous
waste liquid. (EIES Number 803-061)
Reduce molybdenum concentration in
wastewaters by using a reverse
osmosis/precipitation system.
Capital Investment: 5320,000. Waste Throughput
Information: permeate capacity of 18,000 gallons per day.
Saving! Relative to an Evaporative System: installed capital
cost savings: 5510.000; annual operating cost savings:
590,000. (EIES Number 207-001, p. 5]
Raw Material Change copper bright-dipping process from a
Substitution cyanide and chromic acid dip to a sulfuric
acid/hydrogen peroxide dip. The new bath is
less toxic and copper can be recovered.
(EIES Number 306-001. p. 130]
*• Use alcohol instead of sulfuric acid to
pickle copper wire. One ion of wire requires
4 liters of alcohol solution, versus 2
kilograms ol" sulfuric acui.
Capital Investment: SO. [EIES Number 400-069]
12 -
-------
TABLE II (continued)
POLLUTION PREVENTION PRACTICES FOR PROCESSES
AND OPERATIONS IN METAL MANUFACTURING
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
TECHNIQUES
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
OPTIONS
EXAMPLES OF
COSTS AND SAVINGS,
AND OTHER INFORMATION*
Replace caustic wire cleaner with a
biodegradable detergent. [EIES Number
604401]
Recycling
Replace chromated desmutting solutions with
nonchromated solutions for alkaline etch
cleaning of wrought aluminum.
Sell waste pickling acids as feedstock, for
fertilizer manufacture or neutralization/
precipitation.
Annual Savings: $44,541. Waste Savings/Reduction:
sludge disposal costs reduced by 50%. [EIES Number 806-
001, p. 10]
Recover metals from solutions for resale.
Annual Savings: $22,000. Payback Period: 14 months.
Company sells copper recovered from a bright-dip bath
regeneration process employing ion exchange and electrolytic
recovery. [EIES Number 306-001, p. 171]
•• Send used copper pickling baths to a
continuous electrolysis process for
regeneration and copper recovery.
Capital Investment: $28,500 (1977). Product Throughput
Information: pickling 12,000 tons of copper, copper
recovery is ar the rate of 200 a/ion of processed copper.
[EIES Number 400-097]
•• Recover copper from brass bright
dipping solutions using a commercially
available ion exchange system.
Annual Savings: $17,047; based on labor savings, copper
sulface elimination, sludge reduction, copper metal savings
and bright dip chemicals savings. Product Throughput
Information: example facility processes approximately
225,000 pounds of brass per month. [EIES Number 804-
001]
* * Treat industrial wntewater high in
soluble iron and heavy metals by chemicat
precipitation.
Annual Savings: $28,800: based on reduced water and
sewer utes. Waste Tftroughput Information: wasrewater
flow from facility's "patening" line- is 100 gallons per minute.
(EIES Number 034-013]
HEAT TREATING
Process or
Equipment
Modification
•* When refining precious metals, reduce
the acid/metals waste stream by maximizing
reaction time in the gold and silver extraction
process.
Capital Investment: $0. Annual Savings: $9,000. Waste
Savings/Reduction: 70% (waste total reduced from 50 tons
to 15 tons). [EIES Number 005-043, p. 73]
Raw Material
Substitution
Rep
: and cyanide saH heat
treating with a carbonate/chloride carbon.
mixture, or with furnace heat treating.
Replace thermal treatment of metals with
condensation of saturated chlorite vapor* on
the surface to be heated.
Waste SavfaBS/RcdtKtfonr this process is fast, nonoxidizing.
and uniform; pickling is no longer necessary. [EIES
Number 400-108]
-------
TABLE n (continued)
POLLUTION PREVENTION PRACTICES FOR PROCESSES
AND OPERATIONS IN METAL MANUFACTURING
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
TECHNIQUES
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
OPTIONS
EXAMPLES OF
COSTS AND SAVINGS,
AND OTHER INFORMATION*
Replace cyanuratcd salt handling process
with one using fluidized baths of nitrogen
and corundum.
Relative Savings: nitrogen and corundum hardening costs
60% of the conventional cyanurated salts process, and
generates, no waste. [EIES Number 400-071]
Recycling
Oil quench baths may be recycled on site by
filtering out the metals.
Alkali wash life can be extended by skimming.
off the oil layer (this skimmed oil may be
reclaimed).
METAL FINISHING AND PAINTING
Training and
Supervision
Always use proper spraying techniques.
Production
Planning and
Sequencing
Improved paint quality, work efficiency, and
lower vapor emissions can be attained by
formal training of operators.
Avoid buying too much finishing material at
one time, due to its short shelf life.
Use the correct spray gun for particular
applications:
conventional air spray gun for thtn-lilm-
build requirements;
airless gun for heavy film application;
and
• air assisted airless spray gun for a wide
range of fluid output.
Preinspect parts to prevent painting of
obvious rejects.
Process or
Equipment
Modulcatton
Ensure the spray gun air supply is free of
water, oil, and dirt.
Replace galvanizing processes requiring high
temperature and flux with one that is low
temperature and does not require flux.
Capita* lB»«3lmtHL S9e&.«». Annual Savin*?: 50% (as
compared to conventional galvanizing). Product Throughput
Information: 1.000 kg/h. (P.IES Number 400-008]
- 14 -
-------
TABLE II (continued)
POLLUTION PREVENTION PRACTICES FOR PROCESSES
AND OPERATIONS IN METAL MANUFACTURING
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
TECHNIQUES
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
OPTIONS
EXAMPLES OF
COSTS AND SAVINGS,
AND OTHER INFORMATION*
Investigate use of transfer methods that
reduce material loss such as:
dip and flow coating;
• electrostatic spraying; and
electrodeposition.
** Change from conventional air spray to
an electrostatic finishing system.
Annual Savinjs: £15,000. Payback Period: less than 2
years. [EIES Number 310-001, p. 136]
Use plastic blast media for paint stripping
rather than conventional solvent stripping
techniques.
Waste Savings/Redaction: volume of waste sludge is
reduced by as much as 99% over chemical solvents;
wastewater fees are eliminated. [EIES Number 503-001]
Use solvent recovery or incineration to
reduce the-emissions of volatile orgaaics
from curing ovens.
Annual Savings: 5400,000. [EIES Number 806-001, p. 7]
Regenerate anodizing and alkaline silking
baths with contemporary recuperation of
aluminum salts.
Annual Savings: $0.02/m2 of aluminum treated. Annual
Savings: (including sale of the recovered dry aluminum
sulfate) SO.OS/m2 Waste Throughput Information: based
on an example plant that previously disposed 180,000 liters
of acid solution per year at S0.07/litre. [EIES Number
451-501]
Raw Material
Substitution
Use alternative coatings- for solvent based
paints to reduce volatile organic materials use
and emissions, such, an
high solids coatings (this may require
modifying the painjing process; including
high speed/high pressure equipment, a
paint distribution system, and paint
heaters);
Waste Savings/Reduction: 30% net savings in applied costs
per square foot. [EIES Number 038-003]
Waste Savings/Reduction: 41% reduction in VOC
emissions. The VOC of the paint decreased from 5.5
lb./gallon to 3 Ib./gallon. [EIES Number 739-001, p. 182]
• water based coatings; and
Waste Savings/Reduction: 87% drop in solvent emissions
and decreased hazardous waste production. [EIES Number
739-001, p. 182]
» powder coatings.
Capital Investment: S1.5 million. Payback Period: 2
years. Example is for a large, wrought iron patio furniture
company. [EIES Numtw 73»-«»J. p. 185]
-------
TABLE n (continued)
POLLUTION PREVENTION PRACTICES FOR PROCESSES
AND OPERATIONS IN METAL MANUFACTURING
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
TECHNIQUES
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
OPTIONS
EXAMPLES OF
COSTS AND SAVINGS,
AND OTHER INFORMATION*
•• Substitute chromic acid cleaner with
non-fuming cleaners such as sulfuric acid and '
hydrogen peroxide.
Substitute non-polluting cleaners such as
tnsodium phosphate or ammonia for cyanide
cleaners.
Annual Savings: $10,000 in treatment equipment costs and
S2.50/lb. of chromium in treatment chemical costs. Product/
Waste Throughput InfermBttoo: rinse water flowrate of 2
gallons per minute. [EIES Number 101-027, p. 115]
Annual Savings: $12,000 in equipment costs and S3.00/lb.
of cyanide in treatment chemicals costs. Product/Waste
Throughput Information: rinse water flowrate 2 gallon per
minute. [EIES Number 101-027, p. 115]
Waste
Segregation
and
Separation
Recycling
Segregate non-hazardous paint solids from
hazardous paint solvents and thinner. [EIES
Number 604-001]
Do not dispose of extended shelf life items
(hat do not meet your facilities'
specifications: They may be returned to the
manufacturer, or sold oc donated as a raw
material. [EIES Number QQ5.-043,. p. 2fiJ
Recycle metal sludges through metal recovery
vendors. [EIES Number 005-043, p. 27]
Use activated carbon to recover solvent
vapors, then recover the solvent from the
carbon by steam stripping, and distill the
resulting water/solvent mixture.
Capital Investment: $817,000 (1978). Waste Savings/
Reduction: releases of solvent to the atmosphere were
reduced from 700 kg/ton of solvent used to 20 kg/ton.
[EIES Number 400-032]
Regenerate cauttic soda act
aluminum by using hydrolysis of sodium
aluminate to liberate free sodium hydroxide
and produce a dry, crystalline hydrate
alumina byproduct.
Capital Investment. S260.000. Annual Savings: $169.282:
from reduced caustic soda use, income from the sale of the
byproduct, and a reduction in the- cost of solid waste
disposal. Payback Period: 1.54 years. Product/Waste
Throughput Information: anodizing operation for which the
surface area is processed ai a rate of 200 m2/hour. (EIES
Number 505-001]
METAL FINISHING AND PAINTING CLEANUP
Production
Planning and
Reduce equipment cleaning by painting with
lighter colors before darker ones.
Reuse cleaning solvent* for the same resin
system by tint allowing- solids to settle out of
solution.
16 -
-------
TABLE II (continued)
POLLUTION PREVENTION PRACTICES FOR PROCESSES
AND OPERATIONS IN METAL MANUFACTURING
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
TECHNIQUES
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
OPTIONS
EXAMPLES OF
COSTS AND SAVINGS,
AND OTHER INFORMATION*
Flush equipment first with dirty solvent
before final cleaning with virgin solvent.
Use virgin solvents for final equipment
cleaning, then as paint thinner.
Use pressurized air mixed with a mist of
solvent to clean equipment.
Waste Savings/Reduction: 98%; from 25.000 gallons of
paint cleanup solvents to 400 gallons. Company uses
cleanup solvents in formulation of subsequent batches.
[EIES Number 034-010. p. 14]
Raw Material
Substitution
" Replace water-based paint booth filters
. with dry filters. Dry filters will double paint
booth life and allow more efficient treatment
of wastewater.
Annual Savings: 31,500. Waste Savings/Reduction: 3,000
gallons/year. [EIES Number 806-001, p. 7]
Loss
Prevention
and
Housekeeping
To prevent spray gun leakage, submerge only
the front end (or fluid section) of the gun
into the- cleaning solvent.
Waste
Segregation
and
Separation
Solvent waste streams should be kept
segregated and free from water
contamination.
Recycling
•• Solvent recovery units can be used to
recycle spent solvents generated in flushing
operations.
Install a recovery system for solvents
contained in air emissions.
Annual Savings: Sl.OOO. [EIES Number 034-010, p. 10]
Use batch distillation to recover
isopropyt acetate generated during
equipment cleanup.
Payback Period: 2 years. [EIES Number 034-010. p. 17]
Use bstch distillation to recover xylene
from pgjqt ^nipmTrH cleanup.
Payback Period: 13 months. Annual Savings: 55,000.
[EIES Number 034-010, p. 18]
Use a small solvent recovery still to
recover spent paint thinner from spray
gun cleanups and excess paint batches.
Capital Investment: $6,000 for a 15 gallons capacity still.
Anesal Savings: 53,600 in new thinner savings; 55,400 in
disposal savings. Payback Period: less than 1 year. Waste
Savings/Reduction: 75% (745 gallons of tlunner recovered
from 1.003 gallons). Product/Waste Throughput
Information: 1.500 gallons of spent thinner processed per
year. (EIES Number 034-006, p. 6|
. . 17 -
-------
TABLE n (continued)
POLLUTION PREVENTION PRACTICES FOR PROCESSES
AND OPERATIONS IN METAL MANUFACTURING
POLLUTION POLLUTION
PREVENTION PREVENTION
TECHNIQUES OPTIONS
EXAMPLES OF
COSTS AND SAVINGS,
AND OTHER INFORMATION"
Instill a methyl ethyl ketone solvent
recovery system to recover and reuse
waste solvents.
Annual Savings: S43,000/Vear, MEK recovery rate: 20
gallons/day, reflecting a 90% reduction in waste. (EIES
Number 806-001, p. 7]
Arrange an agreement with other small com-
panies to jointly recycle cleaning wastes.
FACILITY CLEANUP
Leu
Prevention
and
House keeping
Improve housekeeping practices to reduce
spillage of cleaning solvents.
Install collection/drip pans under machinery
and lubrication operations to recover oils.
Use rags to their full oil absorbing capacity,
and use a laundering system to clean oil-
laden rap.
ELECTROPLATING
Training and Educate plating shop personnel in the
Supervision conservation of water during processing and
in material segregation. [EIES Number 005-
043. p, 20]
Production
PUnnlnj and
Sequencing
Prcinspect parts to prevent processing of
obvious rejects.
Process or
Equipment
Modifkatten
Employ countercurrent rftsmg to greatly
reduce rinse water usage. Increase drain
lime to allow parts to drain 10 seconds or
more after removal from bath. [EIES
Number 002-016, p. 12]
Add wetting agents to the plating baths to
reduce adhesion of solution to the parts.
[EIES Number Q&Z-016. p. 12}
Increase bath temperature to reduce viscosity
and improve drainage. [EIES Number 002-
016, p, 13]
IS
-------
TABLE n (continued)
POLLUTION PREVENTION PRACTICES FOR PROCESSES
AND OPERATIONS IN METAL MANUFACTURING
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
TECHNIQUES
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
OPTIONS
EXAMPLES OF
COSTS AND SAVINGS,
AND OTHER INFORMATION*
Use spray rinsing to increase rinsing
efficiency for non-complex pan
configurations.
Use air agitation in rinse tanks to improve
nnsing efficiency.
Change continuous treatment to a batch
system to account for upsets in effluent
levels.
Capful Investment- 5210,000. Payback Period: 3 years.
Waste Springs/Reduction: reduced water usage from 12.000
gallons per day to 500 gallons per day. [EIES Number 306-
001. p. 133J
Reduce bath evaporation by covering the
surface with a blanket of polypropylene balls.
Continuously filter process baths to extend
their life. [EIES Number 005-043, p. 17]
If etching,'is done only to put a shine OB the
parts, some customers may agree to buy
them unetched, thus, greatly reducing etch
bath wastes. {EIES Number 005-043, p. 22]
" Use low concentration plating solutions
rather than mid-point concentrations in order
to reduce the total mass of chemicals being
dragged out.
Annual Savings: SI,300. Product/Waste Throughput
Information: a nickel operation having 5 nickel tanks and
an annual nickel dragout of about 2,500 gallons. [EIES
Number 101-027, p. 121]
Use the Kushner and Providence methods of
double dragottl followed by treataent or
recycle of the concentrated dragout solution
to minimize rinse water use.
Annual Savings: using the Providence method in lieu of
conventional water treatment:
Shop size (gpd): 6,000 36,000 134.000
Annual Savings: SI 7,110 S60.080 $44,095
[EIES Number 101-027]
Employ countercurrem and conductivity
controls to reduce rinse water flows.
Annual Operating Costs: S 10.00/1,000 gallons. Annual '
Savings: $170,000. Waste Savings/Reduction: nnse water
was reduced from 43,000 gallons per day to 8,000 gallons
per day. [EIES Number 806-001, p. 8]
*• Use electrolytic cells to recover metals
from waste plating solutions. Applicable to
recovery of gold, silver, cobalt, nickel,
cadmium, copper, ami zinc from solutions.
with 100 mg/1 to 1,000 mg/1 of metal.
Capital Investment: 58,750 - Sf7,500. Metal Recovery: 1-
2 tonnestyr. Waste Savings/Reduction: metal losses
reduced by a factor of 100. [EIES Number 400-101]
Raw Material
Substitution
Use less toxic materials whenever possible.
Substitute zinc lor cadmium in
alkali/saline environments.
- 19 -
-------
TABLE II (continued)
POLLUTION PREVENTION PRACTICES FOR PROCESSES
AND OPERATIONS IN METAL MANUFACTURING
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
TECHNIQUES
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
OPTIONS
EXAMPLES OF
COSTS AND SAVINGS,
AND OTHER INFORMATION*
Substitute nitric or hydrochloric acid for
cyanide in certain plating baths in order
to produce a less hazardous sludge.
[EIES Number 024-001, p. 26]
Substitute zinc chloride for zinc cyanide.
[EIES Number 024-001, p. 26]
Substitute a non-chlorinated stripper in
place of mwhylene chloride. [EIES
Number 005-043. p. 16]
Segregation
and
Separation
Wastewaters containing recoverable metals
should be segregated from other wastewater
streams.
Recycling
Instead of disposing of plating bath when
strength has decreased, Qlter and reconstitute
it.
*• Instead of disposing of process baths,
attempt to make them marketable for resale.
Annual Savings: $16,300. [EIES Number 306-001)
Recycle used rinse waters into bath makeup
solutions for their respective process baths.
•• Reduce the quantity and toxicity of
wasiewatea by employing, technologic* such
evaporation;
Annual Savings: greater than $100,000. Payback Period:
less than 1 year. Waste Savings/Reduction: from aboui
8,000 pounds of chromium consumed per month to less ihan
200 pounds per month. Company used a closed-loop
evaporator on the chromium bearing nnse waters. (EIES
Number 450-001, p. 7-6]
Capital Investment: 512,200. Annual Operating Costs:
524,741. Annual Savings: $60,964. Payback Period: 7
months. Evaporative recovery employed on the company's
nickel plating rim* waters. [EIES Number 034-011]
Payback Period: 2-2.5 years. Waste Sarfngs/Rednctioar
84% reduction of chromium usage, 15-20% sludge reduction
Company insulled an evaporative recovery unit for a
chromium'plating process. [EIES Number 450-001. p, 7-6]
-------
TABLE n (continued)
POLLUTION PREVENTION PRACTICES FOR PROCESSES!
AND OPERATIONS IN METAL MANUFACTURING
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
TECHNIQUES
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
OPTIONS
EXAMPLES OF
COSTS AND SAVINGS,
AND OTHER INFORMATION"
Capital Investment: 525,000, estimated for evaporative
recovery equipment. [EIES Number 005-033. p. 29]
Installed Cost 335,680. Annual Operating Cost: 59,160.
Annual Savings 521,000. System operates for 5,000
hours/year, recovering 9,375 Ibs/year chromic acid. [EIES
Number 400-047]
• ion exchange
Capital Investment- 5375,000. Payback Period: 2 years.
Wasn Saving Rwttt-uk>ffii 92% recovery of ion exchange-
treated wastewater for reuse. [EIES Number'310-001
pp. 57-58]
Payback Period: 5 years. Nickel sulfate solution is treated
by ion exchange and returned to nickel plating process.
[EIES Number 306-001, p. 21]
Capital Investment: 515,000 (1981). Ion exchange unit
installed to recover chromium. [EIES Number 450-001,
p. 7-5]
Capital Investment: 51.3 million. Annual Savings: SI.2
million. Product/Waste Throughput Information: 350,000
m3tyear of wastewater. [EIES Number 400-067]
• reverse osmosis:
Capital Investment: 516,000. Payback Period: 20 months.
Waste Savings/Reduction: almost 100% of lost chemical
and 90% of wastewater recovered. Waste Throughput
Information: 260 liters per hour of wastewater. [EIES
Number 310-001, pp. 54-55]
Capital Investment: 562,000 (539,000 for the reverse
osmosis unit). Payback Period: less than 2 years.
Company installed reverse osmosis unit and evaporative
heaters to recover nickel and rinse waters. [EIES Number
034-010, p. 27]
Capital Investment: 58,500. Waste Savings/Reduction:
about 85% of the nickel dragout. Company installed reverse
osmosis to recover nickel and rinse water. [EIES Number
450-001, p. 7-2]
Capital Investment: 5200,000 (330 ft2 membrane). Annual
Operating Cost: large, due to high pressures in system.
Publication discusses reverse osmosis in general and states
thai it is applicable to many electroplating baths. [EIES
Number 005-033, pp. 29-30]
-------
TABLE n (continued)
POLLUTION PREVENTION PRACTICES FOR PROCESSES
AND OPERATIONS IN METAL MANUFACTURING
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
TECHNIQUES
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
OPTIONS
EXAMPLES OF
COSTS AND SAVINGS,
AND OTHER INFORMATION*
Capital Investment $21,500. Operation Cost $9.113.
Gross Annual Savings: $17,464. Annual Savings; $8.351
Payback Period: 2.4 years. Product/Waste Throughput
Information: economic information for a watts nickel
plating line with dragout rates greater than one gallon per
hour. [EIES Number 504-001 j
electrolysis;
Capital Investment: $8,500. Annual Savings: $26.060 in
chemical usage and process water. Product Throughput
Infnrmillnn- 60,000 ft2 cadmium electroplating, plant.
Company implemented a high surface area (HSA)
electrolytic reactor for cadmium recovery. [EIES. Number
310-001, p. 48]
Capital Investment- $43,000 (1979). Annual Savings:
treatment cost* eliminated, between 5 and 14 kilograms each
of silver, nickel, and copper are recovered weekly. Company
used fluidaed bed electrolysis to recover metals from
electroplating rinse waters. [EIES Number 450-001, p. 7-6]
electrodialysis with ion exchange; and
! Investment $21,050 (15-cell-pair unit). Payback
9- months. Company recount gold front plating
rinse water using electrodialysis and ion exchange. [EIES
Number 450-001, p. 7-4]
Capital Investment:
$26.000/year (reduct
Number 400-100]
109.600 (1980). Annual Savings:
n detoxification costs). [EIES
Capital Investment: $220.000. Annual Savings: $45,000.
A medium sized jewelry plating and manufacturing company;
updating the existing water treatment facility would have"cost
5560,08* [EIES Number 622-011, p-. A-l]
cvanide destruction.
Capital Investment: S20,000-$50,000 for hydrolysis process.
Waste Savings/Reduction: Can reduce cyanide from 50.000
mg/1 to less than 30 rag/1. Waste Throughput Information:
300 gallons per day. [EIES Number 005-033, pp. 44-45]
Capital Investment: $10,000-$50,000 for chlorine and
hypochlorite processes. Waste Throughput Information:
200 gallons per day - 20 gallons per minute. [EIES Number
005-033, pp. 41-42]
Capital InveMownt: $300,000 for ozone oxidation.
Product/Waste Throughput Information: Rinse tanks
operated at a rate of 4 gallons, per minute (reactive nnsmg
can eliminate 2 out of 3 plating line rinse tanks). [EIES
Number 034-012. p. 239)
-------
TABLE H (continued)
POLLUTION PREVENTION PRACTICES FOR PROCESSES
AND OPERATIONS IN METAL MANUFACTURING
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
TECHNIQUES
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
OPTIONS
EXAMPLES OF
COSTS AND SAVINGS,
AND OTHER INFORMATION*
" Use reactive rinsing in nickel plating
operations to reduce rinse water use, improve
plating efficiency, and conserve process
chemicals.
Capital Investment: S250 for plumbing and installation.
Product/Waste Throughput Information: rinse tanks
operated at rate of 4 gallons per minute (reactive rinsing
can eliminate 2 out of 3 plating line rinse tanks). [EIES
Number 034-012, p. 239]
Recover phosphate from aluminum bright
dipping operations by reacting rinse acid with
soda alkalies to yield a trisodium phosphate
solution. Filter the solution, cool it (so
trisodium phosphate crystallizes out), and
recycle the remaining mother liquor with
further batches of rinse acid. [EIES Number
807-001]
OVERALL
Loss
Prevention
and
Housekeeping.
Reduce the number of hazardous materials
purchased for similar purposes, (e.g., from
275 different types of adhesive to 2 or 3).
(EIES Number 005-043, p. 27]
Employ a strict preventative maintenance
system to prevent spills and leaks. [EIES
Number 005-043, p. 27]
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