United State*
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Solid Waste
and Emergency Response
sw-ear.s
October 1981
SolMWara
SEPA
INDUSTRIAL
WASTE EXCHANGES
Recovery and Reuse
of Solid and Hazardous Wastes
.! Protection Agency
?rn Street
60604
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INDUSTRIAL WASTE EXCHANGES
Recovery and Reuse of Solid and Hazardous Wastes
This document (SW-887..5) was prepared
by Eat M» Fox under contract no* 68-01-6293
for the Office of Solid Waste.,
U,S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S» ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
1981
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Congress has enacted in recent years a comprehensive series of laws
that direct the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to safeguard the
Nation's land, air, and water resources. One such law—the Resource Con-
servation and Recovery Act (RCBA)—is intended to preserve land resources
by terminating the indiscriminate dumping of municipal and industrial wastes
and to stimulate the recovery and reuse of both materials and energy. Thus,
during the coming years EPA will increase its efforts to promote resource
recovery from hazardous industrial wastes, which will, of course, reduce the
potential environmental problems associated with the disposal of such materi-
als and help conserve virgin resources. One facet of this effort is a tech-
nical assistance program to encourage the establishment of waste exchanges.
As the term indicates, these exchanges function as the intermediary
between generators of waste and potential users of waste. They are founded
on the assumption that, one industry's waste can. be another industry's feed—
stock.
Numbers and Types of Exchanges
The world's first waste exchange was established in the Netherlands in
1972. Today there are 35 major exchanges in the United States and at least
17 in other countries.
Waste exchanges can be divided into two types: information exchanges
or clearinghouses—by far the most prevalent—and materials exchanges. Both
types deal with all kinds of wastes, hazardous and nonhazardous.
Information exchanges put generators of waste and potential users of
waste in touch with one another. The process usually begins when the exchange
actively seeks general information on wastes available from generators and on
the needs of potential users* Such information, which includes volume and
composition of waste and location of the generator, is incorporated into a
list that is distributed periodically. Should possible users of a waste see
it listed, they notify the exchange, which forwards the inquiry to the
lister.
The identity of those included in the list is normally kept confidential-
This is done for a number of reasons. First, industry has traditionally kept
its trade and manufacturing processes a secret. By analyzing a. company's
wastes, a competitor could learn much about the product. Second, most com-
panies have attempted to prevent regulatory agencies from finding out the
contents of their wastes, particularly if those wastes are hazardous. Third,
those who list do not want to be bothered by unsolicited inquiries; in the
waste exchange system, they take the initiative in contacting those who have
expressed interest.
When discussions begin between the two parties, the exchange has completed
its service. Subsequent negotiations between generator and user concern the
requirements for an actual transfer—acceptable purity level of the waste,
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price, cost of transportation, and mutual confidence* If these conditions
prove satisfactory, the generator transfers the waste to the user*
The functions of the materials exchange are more complex* It buys or
accepts wastes, analyzes their properties, reprocesses if necessary, iden-
tifies potential uses, and sells at a profit* Such exchanges transfer in-
formation only as a courtesy to clients or as part of their paid consulting
services. Whereas an information exchange, may need only a part-time staff
and limited office space, the materials exchange requires highly competent
technical, managerial, and marketing personnel and facilities for storage
and processing.
Of the 35 exchanges in the United States, 25 are information exchanges,
9 are materials exchanges or brokers, and 1 is an in—house exchange. While
materials exchanges are run by profit-oriented private concernsv information
exchanges are typically nonprofit operations supported by the private sector,
perhaps because generators and users are reluctant to give information on
industrial processes to public agencies* As a result, several exchanges ori-
ginally established by local and State governments have,, in recent years,
been transferred to private sponsors.
Exchanging Wastes
\
Chemical engineers have long exchanged wastes on an informal, basis. But
the quantities involved have constituted only a fraction of the 344 million
metric tons of wastes produced each year by American industry. A study con-
ducted in 1976 estimated that about 6 million metric tons of Industrial waste
were available annually for reuse—an amount worth approximately $300 million
on today's market. The costs of both materials and of waste management are
rising; industries are, therefore,, increasingly interested in making use of
wastes.
RCRA provides an added incentive to reuse wastes. Under the hazardous
waste regulatory program, EPA or the States will strictly control the 10 to
25 percent of all industrial wastes from generation through disposal. As a .
result of this control system, the costs of waste management will increase,
and, of course, there will be a new interest in reducing and recycling wastes.
Users of Exchanges
Industries routinely seek uses for their residues, and large companies
with many processes and skilled engineers continue to find new opportunities
for recycling or selling their wastes- Even large national concerns may not,
however, recognize all possibilities for transferring wastes outside their
own industry, and smaller companies often lack the time and skill to find
uses for their wastes. In addition, the value and usefulness of residual
materials change, reflecting economic and technological developments.
The waste exchange, serving both generators and potential users in the
shifting area between true wastes and by-products, helps to identify econ-
omic value in materials previously regarded as trash. It does not, however,
interfere in commercially established flows of by-products.
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Transfers of wastes are usually made between firms using continuous
processes and smaller operations using batch processes, between basic chemi-
cal manufacturers and formulators, and between industries that require high
purity (such as pharmaceutical firms) and those whose needs for purity are
lower (such as manufacturers of paint.) In addition, almost, any Industry
that requires fuels or cleaning solvents is a potential user of waste, and
all that manufacture chemicals or use chemicals as. raw materials are poten-
tial clients of an exchange*
Once an initial match has been made between the generator of a regular
or continuous waste stream and a user of that waste, the services of the
exchange are no longer needed. On the other hand, the exchange will have a
long-term business finding users for episodic or irregular wastes or for
wastes resulting from new products or technologies*
Wastes Being Transferred
Similarities exist between, the wastes being transferred in this country
and in Europe. The most frequently listed categories include: organic
chemicals and solvents; oils, fats, and solvents; metal containing sludges
or slags; textiles, leather, and rubber; wood and paper products; spent
catalysts; acids; alkalis; inorganic chemicals; metals; and plastics. Some
materials, though listed to a lesser extent, are, nevertheless, significant.
Among them are glass, food-processing wastes, minerals, waste containers,
paints, and salts.
Success of Exchanges
It is difficult to evaluate the success of waste exchanges, partly
because corporate confidentiality impedes access to pertinent facts. Fur-
thermore, criteria used to evaluate success vary widely. They include:
financial profit, volume of wastes transferred, number of listings, number
of matches between wastes generated and wastes used, ratios between listings
and matches, number of industries and companies served, improved public
image, conservation of energy and .material, diversion of hazardous waste
from disposal in landfills, and avoidance of costs that are passed on to
the consumer*
One measure of success goes beyond profits, listings, cost savings, and
public image—the number of exchanges that have started operation over the
last few years in the United States. In 1976, the first U.S. waste exchange
was established in St. Louis* Within a year, about half a dozen exchanges had
developed. By 1981, over 35 exchanges (ranging from information exchanges,
to brokers, to materials exchanges) began operations.
Another measure matches wastes listed and wastes used. Information
exchanges in the United States are, on the average, able to match about 10
percent of their listings. European exchanges have a much higher rate—
between 30 and 40 percent. Political, demographic, and transportation
differences are all factors in relative rates of success. The Environmental
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Protection Agency views reducing this difference in successful matches
between U.S. exchanges and foreign exchanges as a goal the Nation should
achieve*
The performance of materials exchanges depends directly upon technical
expertise and aggressive marketing. Information exchanges, all seem to follow
a standard pattern of development: a difficult, start-up period while lines
of communication are established with industry, a sharp increase in activity
as the "easy" wastes are placed,, and, finally, a time of stabilized listings.
The full potential of waste exchanges may not be realized, however, until
the Federal and State programs established under RCRA have become completely
effective. This is particularly true in regard to hazardous waste.
EPA, Resource Recovery, and Waste Exchanges
The first generation of hazardous waste management regulations promul-
gated by EPA is designed primarily to deal with, the long-term containment
and destruction or treatment of wastes. They do not set standards for the
reuse, recycling, or reclamation of such wastes though they direct EPA to
promote resource conservation and recovery. This may be achieved in part
by regulation* Certain hazardous wastes are already exempted from control
under RCRA, when they are reused, recycled, or reclaimed. Other regulations
now being developed are intended to help promote the reuse of waste oil.
Regulatory incentives alone are not, however, sufficient. EPA has
attempted through conferences, seminars, and other information services to
promote industrial resource recovery and conservation. The Agency is also
encouraging the establishment of more waste exchanges and is supporting
their operation as a national network. Finally, EPA, through the Office of
Research and Development, has selected the Illinois Institute of Technology
to operate an "Ultimate Waste Elimination Research Center." The purpose of
the center is to discover new ways to eliminate, reduce, and reuse hazardous
waste.
EPA expects the concept of exchanging wastes to gain acceptance as new
laws are enacted, technology develops, regulations change, and the economy
evolves* Waste exchanges could, indeed, prove to be the transition from the
tragic beginnings at Love Canal to the ultimate goal of total reuse of
wastes in America.
The Future
In order; to expand the geographic area presently receiving exchange ser-
vices, more waste exchanges must be established in the United States. So
long as wastes are perceived to have little economic value, few industries
are likely to pay the costs of transporting them long distances. National
waste exchanges—sometimes with regional affiliates—have been successful
elsewhere (Canada, United Kingdom, and Israel). This suggests that exchanges
here might find it beneficial to operate less independently than at present.
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A nationwide coordinating and information system, a common code, and standard—
ized operating procedures all might help expedite recovery and reuse of wastes
in the United States.
*
It is ironic that if the concept of exchanging wastes is completely
successful—if generators can find uses for all their wastes'—then waste
exchanges have only a limited future* The services performed by them are
not required once the link between the generator and the user has been forged.
At this point, however, only a fraction of all industrial wastes generated is
recovered and reused. Comparison with the success of foreign exchanges
indicates room for Improvement. Furthermore, the development of new products
often creates new wastes—and the need for industry's and government's
involvement in the waste exchange concept.
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WASTE EXCHANGES IN 1981 IN THE UNITED STATES
Company
Contact and address
CALIFORNIA
California Waste Exchange
Paul H. Williams,
Waste Management Specialist III
Department of Health Services
Hazardous Materials Management Sectic
California Waste Exchange
2151 Berkeley Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
(415) 540-2043
Zero Waste Systems,. Inc.
Paul Palmer
Zero Waste Systems, Inc.
2928 Poplar Street
Oakland, CA 94608
(415) 893-8257
COLORADO
Colorado Waste Exchange
Olie Webb
Colorado Association of Commerce
and Industry
1390 Logan
Denver, CO 80203
(303) 831-7411
CONNECTICUT
World Association for Safe
Transfer and Exchange
Marcel Veroneau
World Association for Safe Transfer
and Exchange
130 Freight Street
Waterbury, CT 06702
(203) 574-2463
FLORIDA
Iso-Chem Marketing, Inc.
Anthony L. Trip!
Iso-Chem Marketing, Inc.
P.O. Box 1268
449 Kingsley Avenue, Suite E
Orange Park, FL 32073
(904) 264-0070
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GEORGIA
Georgia Waste Exchange
Bert Fridlin, Director
Georgia Waste Exchange
Georgia Business and
Industry Association
181 Washington Street,
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 659-4444
SW
ILLINOIS
American. Chemical Exchange (ACE)
Environmental Clearinghouse
Organization (ECHO)
Industrial Material Exchange Service
Tom Hurvis, Chairman
American Chemical Exchange
4849 Golf Road
Skokie, IL
(312) 677-2800
William Petrich
ECHO
3426 Maple Lane
Hazel Crest, IL 60429
(312) 355-0754
Larry Moore
Industrial Material Exchange Service
Illinois Environmental Protection Agenc
Division of Land/Noise
2200 Churchill Road
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-6760
INDIANA
Waste Materials Clearinghouse
Environmental Quality Control,. Inc.
Noble L. Beck,
Clearinghouse Director
EQC Waste Materials Clearinghouse
1220 Waterway Boulevard
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 634-2142
IOWA
Iowa Industrial Waste Information
Exchange
Edward 0. Sealine or Wilson A. KLuckmai
Industrial Specialists
Iowa Industrial Waste Information
Exchange
Center for Industrial Research
and Service
201 Building E
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011
(515) 294-3420
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KENTUCKY
Louisville Area Waste Exchange
Stanford Lampe
300 West Liberty Street
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 582-2421
MAINE
Peck Environmental Laboratory, Inc.
Dana P. Peck, President
Peck Environmental Laboratory, Inc.
P.O. Box 947
Kennebunk, ME 04047
(207) 985-6116
MASSACHUSETTS
The Exchange
Howell Hurst, President:
The Exchange
104- Charles Street, Box 394
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 367-2334 or 367-0810
MICHIGAN
American Materials Exchange Network
Vewiser Dixon
American Materials Exchange Network
19489 Lahser Road
Detroit, MI 48219
(313) 532-7900
MINNESOTA
Minnesota Association of
Commerce and Industry (MACI)
James T. Shields,
Vice-President for Energy and
Environmental Affairs
Minnesota Association of Commerce
and Industry
200 Hanover Building
480 Cedar Street
St. Paul, MN 55101
(612) 227-9591
MISSOURI
Chamber of Commerce of Greater
Kansas City
Max Norman
Chamber of Commerce
920 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64105
(816) 221-2424
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Midwest Industrial Waste Exchange
Oscar S. Richards, Director
Midwest Industrial Waste Exchange
10 Broadway
St. Louis, MO 63102
(314) 231-5555
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Resource Conservation and
Recovery Agency
David Green
Resource Conservation and Recovery
Agency
P.O. Box 268
Stratham, NH 03885
(603) 772-6261
NEW JERSEY
Industrial Waste Information Exchange
Mr» Ludlum
Industrial Waste Information Exchange
New Jersey State Chamber of
Commerce
5 Commerce Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(201) 623-7070
NEW YORK
American Alliance of Resources
Recovery Interests, Inc. (AARRII)
[Joined efforts with Manufacturers Association of Central New York; see below]
En Kara Research Corporation
Manufacturers Association of
Central New York (MACNY)
Northeast Industrial Waste Exchange
J.T. Engster
En Karn Research Corporation
P.O. Box 590
Albany, NY 12201
(518) 436-9684
Stephen H. Hoefer
MACNY _
770 James Street
Syracuse, NY 13203
(315) 474-4201
Walker Banning or
Stephen H. Hoefer
Northeast Industrial Waste Exchange
700 E. Water Street, Room 711
Syracuse, NY 13210
(315) 422-8276 (Banning)
(315) 474-4201 (Hoefer)
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NORTH CAROLINA
Atlantic Coast Exchange
Mecklenburg County Waste Exchange
Brian Aus or Tim McAdams
Atlantic Coast Exchange
Research Triangle Operations
1905 Chapel Hill Road
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 493-3536
Mary Dawn Llston
Institute for Urban Studies UNCC
University of North. Carolina at
Charlotte
UNCC Station
Charlotte, NC 28223
(704) 597-2307
Piedmont Exchange
[Joined efforts with Mecklenburg County Waste Exchange; see above}
OHIO
Industrial Waste Information Exchange
ORE Corporation
(Ohio Resource Exchange)
Newton A. Brokaw,
Executive Director
Columbus Industrial Association
1646 West Lane Avenue
Columbus a OH 43221
(614) 486-6741
Richard L. Immerman
ORE Corporation
2415 Woodmere Drive
Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 371-4869
OREGON
Oregon Industrial Waste Information
Exchange
David Clark
Oregon Industrial Waste Information
Exchange
Western Environmental Trade Associ
333 SW 5th, Suite 618
Portland, OR 97204
(503) 221-0357
or
Delyn Kies
Oregon Industrial Waste Informatia
Exchange
Resource Conservation Consultants
1615 NW 23rd, Suite One
Portland, OR . 97204
(503) 227-1319
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PENNSYLVANIA
National Waste Exchange
Ron Schaible
National Waste Exchange
P.O. Box 190
Silver Springs, PA 17575
(717) 780-6189
Pennsylvania Waste Information Exchange
Tricia Overmeyer
Pennsylvania Waste Information Exchange
Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce
222 North Third Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
C717) 255-3279
TENNESSEE
Tennessee Waste Swap
Nancy Niemeier
Tennessee Waste Swap
Tennessee Manufacturers Association
708 Fidelity Federal Building
Nashville, TN 37219
(615) 256-5141
TEXAS
Chemcial Recycle Information Program
Jack Westney, Staff Executive
Chemical Recycle Information Program
Houston Chamber of Commerce
1100 Milan Building, 25th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 651-1313
UTAH
Inter-Mountain Waste Exchange
HATCHCO-W.S. Hatch Co.
Inter-Mountain Waste Exchange
P.O. Box 1825
Salt Lake City, UT 84110
(801) 295-5511
WASHINGTON
Information Center for Waste Exchange
. ',,.,:,, ;:orn Street
^.vyo bQ604
11
Judy Henry, Executive Assistant
Information Center for Waste Exchange
2112 Third Avenue, Suite 303
Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 623-5235
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WEST VIRGINIA
Union Carbide Corporation R»L» Floyd
(in-house operation only) Investment Recovery Department.
Union Carbide Corporation
P.O. Box 8361
Building 3005
South Charleston, WV 25303
(304) 747-5362
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