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
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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.
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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
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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
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