Printing and Allied industries Industry Overview Not all printing and allied industry operations produce haz- ardous waste. If, however, you use solvents, strong acid or alkaline solutions, or paint or ink containing toxic organic chemicals or heavy metals, the waste you generate might be hazardous. If so, you might be subject to Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requirements covering the generation, transportation, and management of hazardous waste. Many printing industries generate hazardous waste. Your firm is included in printing and allied industries if it is involved in: Preparation: Typesetting Lithography Letterpress Gravure Engraving (stationery) Photoengraving. Printing: Heatset lithography Non-heatset lithography Thermography Business form printing Sheetfed lithography Letterpress printing (including flexography) Gravure printing Screen press printing. Finishing Operations: Looseleaf binder manufacturing Trade binding operations Book binding operations In-house binding operations Magazine and catalog binding operations. Hazardous Wastes from Printing and Allied Industries Printing generates waste ink and ink sludges that might con- tain solvents or heavy metals. The composition of inks used in printing and allied industries varies greatly depending on whether an ink is to be used for lithography, letterpress, gravure, flexog- raphy, or screen printing. Oil-based or paste inks are generally composed of colorant or pigments (carbon black, inorganic, and organic), varnish (drying oils, alkyd, resin-phenolic, resin-ester), drier (cobalt, manganese, or zirconium fatty acid compounds), and sometimes an extender, solvents and modifiers (waxes, petroleum solvents, and magnesia). Fluid inks contain a vehicle made of resin and solvent or oil, and additives such as waxes, drier, and wetting agents. While not all waste inks and ink sludges are haz- ardous, those containing solvents or heavy metals generally are. Photographic processes are used in all major printing opera- tions for image conversion and plate making. Photographic wastes, including heavy metal solutions and spent solvents, make up a large portion of the hazardous waste generated in these indus- tries. Photographic wastes such as processing solutions, develop- ers, hardeners, plating chemicals, fountain solutions, and fixing baths, that are sent directly to publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) for disposal are exempt from RCRA requirements (as is any waste sent directly to a POTW). Silver-containing solutions that pass through electrolytic, chemical replacement, or ion ex- change silver recovery units located on your premises are also ex- empt. If, however, you send your waste offsite for silver recycling or solvent recovery, the waste must be accompanied by a Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest. Table 1 lists typical processes/operations in the printing and allied industries that might produce hazardous waste. Table 2 pro- vides the Department of Transportation (DOT) information needed for the Manifest for some wastes generated by printers. Table 1 and Table 2 are not comprehensive lists. If you do not find your waste here but suspect it is hazardous, contact your EPA Regional office or state hazardous waste management agency for additional information. Waste Minimization An effective waste minimization program can reduce the costs, liabilities, and regulatory burdens of hazardous waste manage- ment, while potentially enhancing efficiency, product quality, and community relations. Waste minimization techniques that can help you reduce the amount of hazardous waste that you generate include: Production planning and sequencing Process/equipment adjustment or modification Raw material substitution Loss prevention and housekeeping Waste segregation and separation Recycling. Training and supervision of employees implementing waste minimization techniques is an important part of your successful program. Call the RCRA/Superfund Hotline toll-free at 800-424- 9346 (or TDD 800-553-7672 for the hearing-impaired) for waste minimization information and publications. EPA/530-SW-90-027g Printed on recycled paper ------- Table 1 Typical Printing and Allied Industries Operations: Materials Used and Hazardous Wastes that Might be Generated Process/Operation Materials Used Typical Material Ingredient General Types of Waste Generated PLATE PREPARATION *Counter-Etching to Remove Oxides *Decp'Eteh Coating of Plates *Etch Baths Applying Light-sensitive Coating Developing Plates Applying lacquer Using Ink (lithography, letterpress, screen printing, Demography) Phosphoric acid Deep-etch bath Multimetal plate and plate coating Resins, binders, emulsifiers, photosensitizers, gelatin, photoinitiators Developer Resins, solvents, vinyl lacquer, lacquer developers Pigments, dyes, varnish, drier, extender, modifier, fountain solutions Making Oravure Cylinders Acid plating bath STENCIL PREPARATION FOR SCREEN PRINTING Lacquer Stencil Film Photographic Stencil Film. Photocmulsion Blockout (screen filler) Solvents, polyester film, vinyl film, dyes Organic acids, gelatin (pigmented), polyester film base Resins, binders, photosensitizers, dyes Pigmented polymers, solvents, acetates Phosphoric acid Ammonium dichromate, ammonium hydroxide Ferric chloride (copper), aluminum/zinc chloride/hydrochloric acid (chromium), nitric acid (zinc, magnesium), gum arabic P-VA/ammonium dichloromate, polyvinyl cinnamate, fish glue/albumin, silver halide, gelatin, emulsifiers, gum arabic/ammonium dichromate Lactic acid, zinc chloride, magnesium chloride, hydroquinone PVC, PVA, maleic acid, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone, isophorone Titanium oxide, iron blues, molybdated chrome orange, phthalocyanine pigments, oils, hydrocarbon solvents, waxes, cobalt/ zinc/manganese oleates, plasticizers, barium- based pigments Copper, chromic acid, chrome Aliphatic acetates, cellulose-based lacquer, plasticizers Acids, alkalies, peroxide-forming compounds, plasticizers, surfactants PVA, PVAC, ammonium or potassium bichromate, diazonium compounds Methylene chloride, methanol, methyl cellulose acetates Acid/alkaline wastes Acid/alkaline wastes Heavy metal wastes Acid/alkaline wastes Heavy metal wastes Photographic processing wastes Photographic processing wastes Solvent wastes Toxic waste ink with solvents/chromium/lead/barium. Ink sludges with chromium/lead/ barium Plating wastes Solvent wastes Acid/alkaline wastes Photographic processing wastes Solvent wastes PHOTOPROCESSING Developing Negatives and Prints PRINTING Using Ink (lithography, letterpress, screen printing Icxography) Developer, cleaning agents, wetting agents, fixers, bleaches Pigments, dyes, varnish, drier, extender, modifier, fountain solutions, inks, solvents, plates, shellacs Hydroquinone, ammonium thiosulfate, silver, lead, chromium, cadmium, phenol, toluene, chloroform, ethyl benzene, methylene chloride Titanium oxide, iron blues, molybdated chrome orange, phthalocyanide pigments, oils, hydro- carbon solvents, waxes, cobalt/zinc/ manganese oleates, plasticizers, barium-based pigments, acrylic copolymers Photographic processing wastes Heavy metal wastes (dust and sludge) Ink sludges with chromium or lead Ink toxic wastes with metals or organic constituents Solvent wastes CLEAN UP Wash/Clean Plates, Type, Die, Press Blankets and Rollers Alcohols, solvents, rags, alkaline cleaners Ethyl alcohol, benzene, toluene, xylene, isopropyl alcohol, methyl ethyl ketone, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, carbon tetrachloride, gasoline, naphtha, kerosene Acid/alkaline wastes Ink toxic wastes with metals or organic constituents Solvent wastes Older technologies. ------- Waste Type Table 2 Printing and Allied Industries Waste Descriptions1 Designations/Trade Names DOT Shipping Name Hazard Class UN/NA ID Number PHOTOGRAPHIC WASTES Heavy Metal Solutions Photographic processing waste containing heavy metals Hazardous Waste Solution containing Cadmium, ORM-E Chromium, Lead, and/or Cyanide SPENT SOLVENTS AND OTHER WASTES CONTAINING: Trichloroethylene* Carbon Tetrachloride* Ethanol Isopropanol Ethyl Benzene 1,1,1 -Trichloroethane Methylene Chloride Methyl Ethyl Ketone* Chlorobenzene* Chloroform* Trichloroethylene, Trichloroethene, Ethinyl trichloride, Tri-Clene, Trielene, Tri Carbon Tetrachloride, Perchloromethane, Necatorina, Benzinoform, CC14 Ethanol, Ethyl alcohol Isopropanol, Isopropyl alcohol Ethyl Benzene Aerothene TT, Chlorten, Inhibisol, Trichloroethane, Chlorothen NU, NCI- C04626, Methylchloroform, Chlorothene VG, Chlorothane NU, Chlorotene Dichloromethane, Methane dichloride, Methylene bichloride, NCI-CS0102, Methylene dichloride, Solaesthin, Aerothene MM, Narkotil, Solmethine Methyl Ethyl Ketone, MEK, Methyl Acetone, Meetco, Butanone, Ethyl Methyl Ketone Chlorobenzene, Monochlorobenzene, Phenylchloride Chloroform Waste Trichloroethylene Waste Carbon Tetrachloride Waste Ethyl Alcohol Waste Isopropanol Waste Ethyl Benzene Waste 1,1,1-Trichloroethane ORM-A ORM-A Flammable Liquid2 Flammable Liquid Flammable Liquid ORM-A Waste Dichloromethane or Methylene Chloride ORM-A WASTE INK WITH SOLVENTS OR HEAVY METALS Waste Ink CORROSIVE WASTES Ammonium Hydroxide Hydrochloric Acid Nitric Acid Phosphoric Acid Sodium Hydroxide Various ingredients: Carbon tetrachloride, Chloroform, Methylene chloride, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, 1,2- Dichloroethane, Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl benzene, Tetrachloroethylene, Trichloroethylene, Chromium, Copper, Lead, Zinc, Cyanide, Aluminum, Cadmium, Nickel, Cobalt Ammonium Hydroxide, Aqua Ammonia, Ammonia Water, Spirit of Hartshorn, NH4OH Hydrochloric Acid, Muriatic Acid Nitric Acid, Aquafortis, HNO3 Phosphoric Acid, Orthophosphoric Acid,H2SO4 Sodium Hydroxide, Caustic Soda, Soda Lye, Sodium hydrate, NaOH Waste Methyl Ethyl Ketone Waste Chlorobenzene Waste Chloroform Waste Ink Flammable Liquid Flammable Liquid ORM-A Combustible Liquid3 Flammable Liquid Waste Ammonium Hydroxide (containing not less than 12% but not more than 44% ammonia) Waste Ammonium Hydroxide (containing less than 12% ammonia) Waste Hydrochloric Acid Mixture Waste Hydrochloric Acid Solution Waste Nitric Acid (over 40%) Waste Nitric Acid (40% or less nitric acid) Waste Phosphoric Acid ORM-A Corrosive Material Corrosive Material Oxidizer Corrosive Material Corrosive Material NA9189 UN1710 UN1846 UNI 170 UN1219 UNI 175 UN2831 UN1593 UNI 193 UNI 134 UN1888 UN2867 UN1210 Corrosive Material NA2672 Waste Sodium Hydroxide Solution Dry Solid, Flake, Bead, or Granular Corrosive Material Corrosive Material NA2672 NA1789 UN1789 UN2031 NA1760 UN1805 UN1824 UN1823 ------- Waste Type T3ulB 2 (continued) Printing and Allied Industries Waste Descriptions1 Designations/Trade Names DOT Shipping Name Hazard Class UN/NA ID Number Sutfunc Acid Chromic Acid Sulfuric Acid, Oil of Vitriol Chromic Acid SPENT PLATING WASTES Spent Plating Wastes Spent etch baths, spent plating solutions and sludges, stripping and cleaning baths INK SLUDGE WITH CHROMIUM OR LEAD Ink Sludge with Chromium Ink sludge containing heavy metals or Lead OTHER WASTES Ignitablc Wastes. NOS Hazardous Wastes, NOS Ignitable Wastes, NOS Waste Sulfuric Acid Waste Chromic Acid Solution Hazardous Waste, Liquid or Solid, NOS4 Hazardous Waste, Liquid or Solid, NOS Waste Flammable Liquid, NOS Waste Combustible Liquid, NOS Waste Flammable Solid, NOS Hazardous Waste, NOS Corrosive Material UN 1,832 Corrosive Material UN1755 ORM-E QRM-E ORM-E NA9189 NA9189 Flammable Liquid UN 1993 Combustible Liquid UN 1993 Flammable Solid UN 1325 UN9189 * Toxieity Characteristic constituent. Any waste that results in a TCLP extract containing a Toxicity Characteristic constituent equal to or above regulatory levels h hazardous. 1 These descriptions may change given variations in waste characteristics or conditions. Note that the DOT shipping name, hazard class, and UN/NA ID number do nol directly correspond to RCRA hazardous waste categories. 2 A flammable liquid has a flash point below 100°F. 3 A combustible liquid has a flash point between 100°F and 200°F. 4 NOS -Not otherwise specified. For further information call the RCRA/Superfund Hotline 1-800-424-9346 ------- |