United States Off ice of Research and Office of International Office of Policy, Planning EPA/600/M-91/036
Environmental Protection Development Activities and Evaluation November 1991
Agency Washington, DC 20460 Washington, DC 20460 Washington, DC 20460
EPA Pollution Prevention
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EPA Technical Information Packages
This brochure is part of a series of information packages prepared by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Aimed
at the international community, the packages focus on key environmental and public health issues being investigated by EPA. The products
highlighted within these packages provide a sound technical basis for decisions regarding the development of environmental policy, abatement
activities, and pollution prevention. By pooling expertise in the areas of environmental science and technology, significant progress can be
anticipated to ensure a habitable environment for all nations.
Pollution Prevention discusses the concepts of pollution prevention and presents strategies for waste reduction. Examples of successful
pollution prevention applications as well as some key sources of further information are presented.
Brochures and associated support material are available on the following topics:
• Ensuring Safe Drinking Water ....EPA/600/M-91/012 • Water Quality EPA/600/M-91/033
• Mining Waste Management EPA/600/M-91/027 • Risk Assessment EPA/600/M-91/034
• Pesticide Waste Disposal EPA/600/M-91/028 • Pesticide Usage Guidelines EPA/600/M-91/035
• Air Quality Management EPA/600/M-91/029 • Pollution Prevention EPA/600/M-91/036
• Solid Waste Disposal EPA/600/M-91/030 • Environmental Impact
• Hazardous Waste Management ..EPA/600/M-91/031 Assessments EPA/600/M-91/037
• Small Community Wastewater • EPA Information Sources EPA/600/M-91/038
Systems . EPA/600/M-91/032 • Environmental Management ...EPA/600/M-91/039
Each complete Technical Information Package (TIP) consists of a cover brochure as well as all of the documents highlighted within the
body of the brochure. Generally, the cover brochures contain a section discussing the environmental issue, associated health and environmental
effects, guidelines, sampling and analytical methods, as well as waste reduction, treatment and disposal technologies. Following this section, a
bibliography is provided to identify other important sources and documents in the field. An attempt has been made to provide references that are
readily available in technical libraries. Finally, a number of Office of Research and Development (ORD) contacts followed by some additional EPA
resources are listed to facilitate consultation and technical assistance. Document ordering information is provided on page 16.
FRONT COVER: High pressure filters for removing paper fines from ink —part of the process to recover ink for reuse. Photo by Lisa Brown.
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Defining the Problem
Many of the pollution problems facing the
world—such as global climate change, ozone
depletion, and non-point source pollution—are
not totally amenable to traditional pollution
control regulation and enforcement. Further
strides in protecting the environment will re-
quire preventing environmental problems by
reducing or eliminating the generation of pol-
lutants. "Pollution prevention" refers to the
reduction, elimination, or recycling of pollut-
ant discharges to the air, water, or land. Pollu-
tion prevention holds the key to future gains in
environmental protection, and offers to many
sectors of society significant benefits that are
not available through traditional pollution con-
trol approaches. These benefits fall into two
major categories:
• Reduced health and ecological risks
- Avoiding the shift of pollutants
among environmental media
- Reducing the need for transportation
and disposal of wastes
- Reducing the total waste and pollut-
ant burden
- Reducing risks of exposure to toxic
substances.
• Economic benefits
- Reducing waste management, compli-
ance, liability, and remediation costs
- Increasing operating efficiencies
- Creating markets for sale or reuse of
wastes.
It will take a concerted effort by all sectors
of our society to realize the full potential of the
benefits of pollution prevention. Although these
benefits are recognized by many organizations,
lack of information and knowledge have been a
barrier to implementing pollution prevention
programs. Industries often lack the capabili-
ties, resources, or motivation to conduct the
research necessary to fill these information
gaps. Therefore, environmental agencies have
a crucial role to play, as leaders in pollution
prevention, in forging partnerships with these
organizations to conduct research and dissemi-
nate the information.
Strategies for Management
Since the passage of the Pollution Preven-
tion Act of 1990, pollution prevention has been
considered a national objective in the U.S. The
Act states that pollution should be prevented or
reduced at the source wherever feasible, while
pollution that cannot be prevented should be
recycled in an environmentally safe manner. In
the absence of feasible prevention or recycling
opportunities, wastes should be treated. How-
ever, disposal or other releases into the envi-
ronment should be used as the last resort. The
following is a list of fundamental goals of the
EPA pollution prevention research program:
(1) Stimulate private sector development and
use of products, technologies, and processes
that result in reduced pollution.
(2) Expand the reusability and recyclability of
wastes and products and the demand for re-
cycled materials.
(3) Identify and promote the implementation of
effective socioeconomic and institutional ap-
proaches to pollution prevention.
(4) Establish a program of research that will
anticipate and address future environmental
problems and pollution prevention opportuni-
ties.
(5) Conduct a vigorous technology transfer
assistance program that facilitates pollution
prevention strategies.
To identify wastes and processes where
pollution prevention techniques can be initi-
ated on a large scale, a nationwide waste track-
ing system can be valuable. In the U.S., larger
manufacturing operations with toxic chemical
production or usage levels abovecertain thresh-
old amounts must annually report environmen-
tal releases (air, water, land, or underground
wells) and off-site transfers (to waste manage-
ment facilities) of 302 individual toxic chemi-
cals and 20 categories of chemical compounds.
Although an allowance can be made (when
justified) for companies to claim chemical iden-
tities as trade secrets, the practice is rare. An
Printed on Recycled Paper
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optional sectionofthereportformallowsmanu-
facturers to list waste minimization activities
and the effect these activities have had on toxic
releases. The compilation of this information
results in EPA's publicly available Toxic Re-
lease Inventory (TRI). The TRI data, useful to
EPA in determining which toxic chemicals
should be reviewed and possibly regulated dif-
ferently, can also serve as a diagnostic tool to
help manufacturers identify and address sources
of pollution.
Examples of Pollution
Prevention Successes
The following are a number of examples
where pollution prevention techniques have
been found to be successful. These examples
clearly demonstrate the potential environmen-
tal and economic benefits of pollution preven-
tion.
Product Substitution
The Department of Defense has developed
a process in which small plastic beads are air
blasted at the surface of an airplane to remove
paint. This eliminates the need for hazardous
solvents to remove the paint. The Department
estimates that this process has decreased the
amount of hazardous waste from 10,000pounds
of wet sludge to 320 pounds of dry paint chips
and disintegrated plastic material per aircraft.
In addition, the amount of work required per
aircraft to remove the paint by air blasting is
eight times less than by traditional methods.
Process Modification
After analysis of the contribution of clean-
ing activities to its waste stream, a California
chemical plant changed the reactor rinse and
cleaning procedures to segregate and recapture
phenol wastes from its sanitary wastes in its
resin manufacturing operations. This allowed
the company to recover the water-phenol mix-
ture for reuse and reduced the use of organics
by 93 percent.
Product Substitution
Riker Laboratories in California replaced
an organic solvent with a water-based solvent
for coating medicine tablets. As a result of this
substitution, Riker realized a one-time savings
of $180,000 inpollution control equipment that
was deemed unnecessary once the switch to the
water-based solvent dramatically reduced air
pollution emissions. In addition, Riker is sav-
ing $15,000 each year by replacing the organic
solvent
Resource Recovery
An assessment of a steel-making facility
showed that calcium fluoride (fluorspar) in the
sludge generated during neutralization of the
pickling line wastewater could be recovered.
By recycling the fluorspar, the company will
save the substantial amount of money spent to
buy it, and also reduce by 30 percent the volume
of sludge requiring disposal.
Product Substitution
EPA initiated an investigation of four eth-
ylene glycol ethers because of the potentially
toxic effects of these substances. The Agency
determined thatthemostlikely substitutes were
propylene glycol ethers (much less toxic than
ethylene glycol ethers). As a result of EPA's
investigation and fear of possible regulatory
action, companies voluntarily reduced their use
of ethylene glycol ethers in coatings by 50
percent over a period of four years.
Refrigerant Recycling
Automotive air conditioner refrigerant is
the largest source of ozone depleting chlo-
rofluprocarbons in the United States. EPA
sampled and analyzed refrigerant from over
200 automobile air conditioners to develop a
standard of purity for recycled refrigerant. In
1988, a committee that included representa-
tives of the Motor Vehicle Manufacturers As-
sociation (MVMA), the Mobile Air Condi-
tioner Society, and the Society of Automotive
Engineers reviewed and approved this standard
and recommended it to the MVMA. A program
for certification of refrigerant recovery devices
has subsequently been initiated. When fully
implemented, this research could represent an
important milestone in reducing the effects of
automotive air conditioner refrigerant in de-
pleting the earth's stratospheric ozone layer.
The following series of documents were
prepared by EPA's Office of Research and
Development, in cooperation with the state of
California, as guides to pollution prevention for
specific wastestreams.
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EPA/625/7-90/004 Guides to Pollu-
tion Prevention - The Pesticide Formulating
Industry — Pesticide formulating facilities
generate wastes during decontamination of mix-
ing and storage equipment, housekeeping, and
laboratory testing for quality assurance. The
wastes generated are: containers with leftover
raw materials; pesticide dust and scrubber wa-
ter from air pollution control equipment; vola-
tile organic compounds; off-specification prod-
ucts andlaboratory analysis wastes; spills; waste
sands or clays; waste rinse water and solvent;
laundry wastewater, and stormwater runoff con-
taminated with pesticides. Reducing the gen-
eration of these wastes at the source, or recy-
cling the wastes on- or off- site, benefits pesti-
cide manufacturers by reducing raw materials
needs, reducing disposal costs, and lowering
the liabilities associated with hazardous waste
disposal. This guide provides an overview of
the pesticide formulating processes and opera-
tions that generate waste and presents options
for minimizing waste generation through source
reduction and recycling.
EPA/625/7-90/005 Guides to Pollu-
tion Prevention - The Paint Manufacturing
Industry—Paint manufacturing facilities gen-
erate large quantities of both hazardous and
nonhazardous wastes. These wastes are equip-
ment cleaning wastewater and waste solvents,
filter cartridges, off-specification paint spills,
leftover containers, and pigment dusts from air
pollution control equipment. Reducing the gen-
eration of these wastes at the source or recy-
cling the wastes on- or off-site will benefit paint
manufacturers by reducing raw material needs,
reducing disposal costs, and lowering the li-
abilities associated with hazardous waste dis-
posal. This guide provides an overview of the
paint manufacturing processes and operations
that generate waste and presents options for
minimizing waste generation through source
reduction and recycling.
EPA/625/7-90/006 Guides to Pollu-
tion Prevention - The Fabricated Metal Prod-
ucts Industry -r- This guide provides an over-
view of the metal fabrication processes and
operations that generate waste and presents
options for minimizing waste generation
through source reduction and recycling. These
processes are an integral part of aerospace,
electronic, defense, automotive, furniture, do-
mestic appliance, and many other industries.
Fabricated metal processes generate various
hazardous waste streams, including oily wastes
frommachining operations, heavy metalbearing
streams from surface treatment and plating
operations, and additional wastes related to
paint application. Reducing the generation of
these wastes at the source or recycling the
wastes on- or off-site will benefit the metal
fabricating industry by reducing raw material
needs, reducing disposal costs, and lowering
the liabilities associated with hazardous waste
disposal.
EPA/625/7-90/007 Guides to Pollu-
tion Prevention - The Printed Circuit Board
Manufacturing Industry —This guide identi-
fies and analyzes waste minimization method-
ologies appropriate for the printed circuit board
manufacturing industry. The wastes resulting
from printed circuit board manufacturing are
associated with five types of processes: clean-
ing and surface preparation; catalyst applica-
tion and electroless plating; pattern printing
and masking; electroplating; and etching. The
wastes include airborne particulates, spent plat-
ing baths, waste rinsewater, and other wastes.
This manual includes waste minimization as-
sessment worksheets useful to shop managers,
engineers, and consultants in formulating a
waste minimization strategy for a particular
plant. Also presented are case histories of waste
minimization assessments performed at three
plants.
EPA/625/7-90/008 Guides to Pollu-
tion Prevention - The Commercial Printing
Industry — This guide identifies and analyzes
waste minimization methodologies appropri-
ate for commercial printers, including lithogra-
phers, gravure printers, flexographers, and let-
terpress and screen printers. This information
largely addresses the wastes and waste minimi-
zation options for offset lithographers. A vari-
ety of wastes are generated during the printing
operation. Waste that can be disposed of in
trash include waste paper, film, empty contain-
ers, used blankets, anddamagedproducts. These
wastes result from image processing, plate
making, proof making, printing, and finishing
processes. Another form of waste —wastewa-
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ter—results from imageprocessing, plate mak-
ing, and printing processes. Equipment clean-
ing wastes and air emissions are other catego-
ries of waste. Much of the waste paper gener-
ated can be recycled. Reducing the generation
of these wastes at the source, or recycling the
wastes on- or off-site, will benefit commercial
printers by reducingraw material needs, reduc-
ing disposal costs, and lowering the liabilities
associated with hazardous waste disposal.
EPA/625/7-90/00? Guides to Pollu-
tion Prevention - Selected Hospital Waste
Streams—This guide provides an overview of
hospital waste generating processes and pre-
sents options for minimizing waste generation
through source reduction andrecycling. Reduc-
ing the generation of these materials at the
source, or recycling the wastes on- or off-site,
will benefit hospitals by reducing disposal costs
and lowering the liabilities associated with haz-
ardous waste disposal. The hazardous wastes
generated by general medical and surgical hospi-
tals are small in volume relative to those of
industrial facilities; however, the wastes are of
a wide variety. Some of the hospital waste
streams discussed in this guide include chemo-
therapy and antineoplastic chemicals; solvents;
formaldehyde; photographic chemicals; radio-
nuclides; mercury; waste anesthetic gases; and
other toxic, corrosive and miscellaneous chemi-
cals.
EPA/625/7-91/012 A Guide to Pollu-
tion Prevention - The Photoprocessing Indus-
try —Commercial photoprocessors generate a
variety of waste streams during color and black
and white film development and during print
making that present opportunities for waste
reduction. This guide describes the typical pro-
cesses found in photoprocessing operations,
specifically those operations based on silver
development chemistry, and provides waste
reduction options for these operations. Both
source reduction and recycling opportunities
are identified. Suggestions are provided for
regenerating and reusing developer, bleach,
and fixative baths, as well as achieving reduc-
tion in rinse water flows. Technologies and
techniques for recovering silver from both aque-
ous and solid waste streams are also discussed.
EPA/625/7-91/013 Guides to Pollu-
tion Prevention - The Auto Repair Industry —
Automotive maintenance and repair shops gen-
erate a variety of waste streams during activi-
ties such as replacing fluids (e.g., motor oil,
radiator coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid),
replacingnon-repairableparts (e.g., brake shoes/
pads, shocks, batteries, belts, mufflers, electri-
cal components, water pumps) and repairing
fixable parts (e.g., brake calipers/rotors/drums,
alternators, fuel pumps, carburetors, power train
components). Of small quantity generators of
hazardous waste in the U.S., the automotive
repair industry leads in number of generators
and in quantity of total waste produced. Many
opportunities exist to reduce the oils, sludges,
and solvent and aqueous cleaning wastes that
are generated.
EPA/625/7-91/014 Guides to Pollu-
tion Prevention - The Fiberglass Reinforced
and Composite Plastics Industries — The fi-
berglass reinforced and composite plastic in-
dustries generate wastes (including air emis-
sions) during fabrication processes and from
the use of solvents for cleanup of tools, molds
and spraying equipment. The wastes generated
are: partially solidified resins, contaminated
solvent from equipment clean-up, scrap coated
fiber, solvated resin streams, and volatile or-
ganic emissions. The guide presents source
reduction and recycling opportunities for re-
ducing these wastes. Suggestions include using
substitutes for solvent cleaners, making changes
to mixing and application equipment, recover-
ing and recycling solvents, and implementing
good materials management and housekeeping
practices. To help companies in the industry
identify opportunities for waste reduction at
their own facilities, the guide includes a set of
worksheets which take the user step-by-step
through an analysis of the on-site waste gener-
ating operations and the possibilities for mini-
mizing each waste. The guide and its worksheets
are also instructive to consultants serving the
fiberglass reinforced and composite plastics
industries and government agencies who regu-
late waste streams generated from these firms.
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Pollution prevention promotes environmental quality.
Photo by S.C.Delaney
5
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EPA/625/7-91/015 Guides to Pollu-
tionPrevention-TheMarineMaintenanceand
Repair Industry — Marine maintenance and
repair facilities generate a variety of waste
streams during repair and maintenance of me-
chanical systems, structural components, up-
holstery, electrical systems, and surfaces of
ships and boats. Typical wastes generated from
these operations presenting opportunities for
waste reduction, are oils, coolants, lubricants,
and cleaning agents; various chemicals; paints
and coatings; as well as dusts from sanding,
sand blasting, and polishing and refmishing
operations. Both source reduction and recy-
cling opportunities are identified. Suggestions
include substitutes for cleaners, strippers, and
coatings; segregation and recycling of clean-
ers, solvent wastes, cutting and lubrication flu-
ids, and engine and lube oils; and implementing
good materials management and housekeeping
practices. To help companies in the industry
identify opportunities for waste reduction at
their own facilities, the guide includes a set of
worksheets that take the user step-by-step
through an analysis of the on-site waste gener-
ating operations and the possibilities for mini-
mizing each waste. The guide andits worksheets
are also instructive to consultants serving the
marine maintenance and repair industry and
government agencies who regulate waste
streams generated from these firms.
EPA/625/7-91/016 Guides to Pollu-
tion Prevention - The Automotive Refinishing
Industry—Automotive refinishing shops gen-
erate a variety of wastes while performing
typical auto body repair and refinishing opera-
tions such as welding, filling dents, body sec-
tion adjustment, alignments, sanding andpaint-
ing. Opportunities forwaste reduction exist for
the waste thinners, solvents, and paints gener-
ated as well as the air emissions and waste
water discharges. Both source reduction and
recycling opportunities are identified. Sugges-
tions include improved paint application tech-
nology and substitute paints; recovery and re-
use of solvents and thinners; and implementing
good materials management and housekeeping
practices.
EPA/625/7-91/017 Guides to Pollu-
tion Prevention - The Pharmaceutical Industry
— Pharmaceutical manufacturers generate a
variety of wastes during manufacturing, main-
tenance, and housekeeping operations which
can be reduced or minimized through source
reduction and recycling. The typical waste
streams are spent fermentation broths, process
liquors, solvents, equipment wash water, spilled
materials, off-specification products, and used
processing aids. Suggestions include improve-
ments to operational practices, solvent recy-
cling and implementing good materials man-
agement and housekeeping practices. To help
companies in the industry identify opportuni-
ties for waste reduction at their own facilities,
the guide includes a set of worksheets that take
the user step-by-step through an analysis of the
on-site waste generating operations and the
possibilities for minimizing each waste. The
guide and its worksheets are also instructive to
consultants serving the pharmaceutical manu-
facturing industry and governmental agencies
who regulate waste streams generated from
these firms.
To obtain additional information on these
and other pollution prevention research topics,
contact:
USEPA - Office of Research and Development
Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory
Pollution Prevention Research Branch
Mail Stop 466
26 West Martin Luther King Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45268
Fax: 513-569-7549
Pollution Prevention
through Waste
Minimization
"Waste minimization" is a term applied to
activities where volume or toxicity reduction of
hazardous waste is accomplished through ei-
ther source reduction or recycling techniques.
Of the two approaches, source reduction is
usually considered preferable to recyclingfrom
an environmental perspective. EPA believes
that an effective waste minimization program
should include each of the following general
elements, although some of these elements may
be implemented in different ways depending
on the preferences of individual industries.
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A. Top Management Support. Top manage-
ment should ensure that waste minimization is
a company-wide effort. There are many ways
to accomplish this goal. Some of the methods
described below may be suitable for some firms
and not others. However, some combination of
these techniques should be used by every firm
to demonstrate top management support.
• Make waste minimization a company
policy. Put this policy in writing and distribute
it to all departments. Make it each person's
responsibility to identify opportunities for mini-
mizing waste. Reinforce the policy in day-to-
day operations, at meetings and other company
functions.
• Set specific goals for reducing the volume
or toxicity of waste streams.
• Commit to implementingrecommendations
identified through assessments, evaluations or
other means.
• Designate a waste minimization coordina-
tor at each facility to ensure effective imple-
mentation of the program.
• Publicize success stories. It will trigger
additional ideas.
• Reward employees who identify cost-ef-
fective waste minimization opportunities.
• Train employees on aspects of waste mini-
mization that relate to their job. Include all
departments, such as those in product design,
capital planning, production operations, and
maintenance.
B. Characterization of Waste Generation.
Maintain a waste accounting system to track
the types, amounts and hazardous constituents
of waste and the dates they are generated.
C. Periodic Waste Minimization Assessments.
Identify opportunities at all points in a process
where materials can be prevented from becom-
ing a waste (for example, by using less material,
recycling materials in the process, finding sub-
stitutes, or making equipment changes). Indi-
vidual processes or facilities should be reviewed
periodically. Larger companies may find it
useful to establish a team of independent ex-
perts.
• Determine the true costs of the waste. Cal-
culate the costs of the materials found in the
waste stream based on the purchase price of
those materials. Calculate the cost of managing
the wastes that are generated, including costs
for personnel, recordkeeping, transportation,
liability insurance, pollution control equipment,
treatment and disposal.
D. A Cost Allocation System. Departments
andmanagers should be charged "fully-loaded"
waste management costs for the wastes they
generate, factoring in liability, compliance and
oversight costs.
E. Encourage Technology Transfer. Seek or
exchange technical information on waste mini-
mization from other parts of your company,
from other firms, trade associations, govern-
ment and academic technical assistance pro-
grams or professional consultants. Many tech-
niques have been evaluated and documented
that may be useful in your facility.
F. Program Evaluation. Conduct periodic re-
views of program effectiveness. Use these re-
views to provide feedback and identify poten-
tial areas for improvement.
A Waste Minimization Opportunity As-
sessment (WMOA) is a systematic procedure
for identifying ways to reduce or eliminate
waste.
The four phases of a WMOA are:
• Planning and organization
• Assessment
• Feasibility analysis
• Implementation
Planning and Organization
The essential elements of planning and or-
ganization for a waste minimization program
are: getting management commitment for the
program; setting waste minimization goals; and
organizing an assessment program task force.
Assessment
The assessment phase involves a number of
steps:
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• Collect process and facility data
• Prioritize and select assessment targets
• Select assessment team
• Review data and inspect site
• Generate options
• Screen and select options for feasibility study
Collect process and facility data. The waste
streams at a facility should be identified and
characterized. Information about waste streams
may be available on hazardous waste mani-
fests, National Pollutant Discharge Elimina-
tion System (NPDES) reports, routine sam-
pling programs and other sources.
Developing a basic understanding of the
processes that generate waste at a facility is
essential to the WMOA process. Flow dia-
grams should be prepared to identify the quan-
tity, types and rates of waste-generating pro-
cesses. Also, preparing material balances for
processes can be useful in tracking process
components and identifying losses or emis-
sions that may have been unaccounted for pre-
viously.
Prioritize and select assessment targets. Ide-
ally, all waste streams in a facility should be
evaluated for potential waste minimization
opportunities. With limited resources, how-
ever, a plant manager may need to concentrate
waste minimization efforts in a specific area.
Such considerations as quantity of waste, haz-
ardous properties of the waste, regulations,
safety of employees, economics, and other char-
acteristics need to be evaluated in selecting a
target stream.
Select assessment team. The team should in-
clude people with direct responsibility and
knowledge of the particular waste stream or
area of the plant. Operators of equipment and
the person who sweeps the floor, for example,
should be included.
Review data and inspect site. The assessment
team evaluates process data in advance of the
inspection. The inspection should follow the
target process from the points where raw mate-
rials enter the facility to the points where prod-
ucts and wastes leave. The team should identify
the suspected sources of waste. This may in-
clude the production process; maintenance op-
erations; and storage areas for raw materials,
finished product, and work in progress. The
inspection may result in the formation of pre-
liminary conclusions about waste minimiza-
tion opportunities. Full confirmation of these
conclusions may require additional data collec-
tion, analysis, and/or site visits.
Generate options. The objective of this step is
to generate a comprehensive set of waste mini-
mizationoptionsforfurther consideration. Since
technical and economic concerns will be con-
sidered in the later feasibility step, no options
are ruled out at this time. Information from the
site inspection, as well as trade associations,
government agencies, technical and trade re-
ports, equipment vendors, consultants, and plant
engineers and operators may serve as sources
of ideas for waste minimization options.
Both source reduction and recycling op-
tions should be considered. Source reduction
may be accomplished through:
• Good operating practices
• Technology changes
• Input material changes
• Product changes
Recycling includes:
• Use and reuse of waste
• Reclamation
Screen and select options for feasibility study.
This screening process is intended to select the
most promising options for full technical and
economic feasibility study. Through either an
informal review or a quantitative decision-mak-
ing process, options that appear marginal, im-
practical or inferior are eliminated from con-
sideration.
Feasibility Analysis
An option must be shown to be technically
and economically feasible in order to merit
serious consideration for adoption at a facility.
A technical evaluation determines whether a
proposed option will work in a specific applica-
tion. Both process and equipment changes need
to be assessed for their overall effects on waste
quantity and product quality. An economic
evaluation is carried out using standard mea-
8
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sures of profitability, such as payback period,
return on investment, and net present value. As
in any project, the cost elements of a waste
minimization project can be broken down into
capital costs and operating costs. Savings and
changes in revenue also need to be considered.
Implementation
An option that passes both technical and
economic feasibility reviews should then be
implemented at a facility. It is then up to the
WMOA team, with management support, to
continue the process of tracking wastes and
identifying opportunities for waste minimiza-
tion throughout a facility.
EPA has developed the following materi-
als for waste minimization in industry.
EPA/625/7-88/003 Waste Minimiza-
tion Opportunity Assessment Manual — This
manual explains how to conduct a waste mini-
mization assessment and develop options for
reducing hazardous waste generation at a facil-
ity. Itpresents the management strategies needed
to incorporate waste minimization into com-
pany policies and structure, how to establish a
company-wide waste minimization program,
conduct assessments, implement options, and
make the program an on-going one. Included in
the appendices are worksheets useful in carry-
ing out assessments, sample assessments of
common industrial processes, and an example
of an economic feasibility analysis.
EPA/625/11-91/004 User's Guide:
Strategic Waste Minimization Initiative
(SWAMI) Version 2.0 - This user's guide de-
scribes software that was developed as a tool
for demonstrating concepts of process analysis
following a waste minimization audit. The soft-
ware requires user-supplied information for
process definition, as well as material inputs
and products for each unit operation and out-
puts associated with waste streams. SWAMI
provides a scheme for identifying and prioritiz-
ing (on a cost or volume basis) waste reduction
opportunities in process units and treatment
operations, performs mass balance calculations,
draws process flow diagrams, and directs the
selection of candidate waste minimization strat-
egies. This software system (downloadable from
the ORD Bulletin Board System described on
page 15) was developedin conjunction with the
EPA publication Waste Minimization Oppor-
tunity Assessment Manual (EPA/625/7-88/003).
The use of that manual can provide the informa-
tion necessary for input to this software.
EPA/600/8-91/052 Industrial Pollu-
tion Prevention Opportunities for the 1990s—
A set of criteria was developed for the purpose
of subjectively prioritizing industry segments
for their pollution prevention potential and their
opportunity for improvement. Using this set of
criteria, high priority industries were selected
from a Standard Industry Classification (SIC)-
based list for investigation of the need or oppor-
tunity for waste reduction through source re-
duction and/or material recycle. Information
concerning the opportunities in particular in-
dustries was then solicited through associa-
tions and individual companies, researchers,
and government agencies. A final list of 17
industries was identified. In addition, the inves-
tigation identified a list of generic research or
technological needs where industry contacts
believed research could lead to waste minimi-
zation applicable to more than one industry.
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Additional References
Gardner, L. and D. Huislngh. 1987. "Waste Reduction through Material and Process Substitutions: Progress and Problems Encountered in
Industry." Hazardous Waste & Hazardous Materials. 4:177.
Grosse, D. 1991. "Innovative Practices for Treating Waste Streams Containing Heavy Metals: A Waste Minimization Approach." Physical/
Chemical Processes. 2:221-235.
Kirsch, F. and G. Looby. 1991. "Waste Minimization Assessment for a Manufacturer of Compressed Air Equipment Components." EPA/600/M-
91/024.
Ling, J. and D. Stephan. 1990. "Pollution Prevention - Not Only 'Where It's At,1 but 'Where It's Been.'" Journal of the American Academy of
Environmental Engineers. 26(4): 13-15,23.
Meyers, S. 1990. "Recovery of Metals Using Aluminum Displacement." EPA/600/S2-90/032, NTIS No. PB 89-222 590/AS.
Nunno, T., S. Palmer, M. Arienti, and M. Breton. 1988. "Waste Minimization in the Printed Circuit Board Industry: Case study." EPA/600/S2-
88/008, NTIS No. PB 88-161 575/AS.
Olexsey, R. et al. 1988. "Technologies for the Recovery of Solvents from Hazardous Wastes." Hazardous Waste & Hazardous Materials. 5:4.
Pallansch, J. 1990. "Machine Coolant Waste Reduction by Optimizing Coolant Life." EPA/600/S2-90/033, NTIS No. PB90-257 783/AS.
10
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)
Project Area
Antifreeze Recycling
Clean Products
Emulsion Cleaners
Hospital/Medical Waste Reduction
Industry-Specific Pollution Prevention
Metal Parts Cleaning & Finishing
Newsprint Fiber Reduction
Oil Life Extension
Pollution Prevention Contacts
Contact
Paul Randall
Mary Ann Curran
Johnny Springer
Kenneth Stone
Teresa Marten
Lisa Brown
Teresa Harten
Paul Randall
Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse Myles Morse
Safe Substitutes
Small Generator Waste Minimization
Solvent Recovery
Technology Transfer
Waste Minimization
Mary Ann Curran
Emma Lou George
Johnny Springer
Doug Williams
James Bridges
FAX
513-569-7549
513-569-7549
513-569-7549
• i
513-569-7549
513-569-7549
513-569-7549
513-569-7549
513-569-7549
202-260-3861
513-569-7549
513-569-7549
513-569-7549
513-569-7566
513-569-7549
11
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Industry-Specific Pollution Prevention Opportunity Assessment Materials
The Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse (described further on pages 13 and 14) contains assessment materials for the industries/
processes listed below. Contact the Clearinghouse for more information about these materials.
INDUSTRY/PROCESS SIC CODE
Automotive Paint 7535
Automotive Repair 7538
Aviation Facility 4582
Dry Cleaning 7216
Electroplating 3471
Fiberglass 2221
Fur Dressing/Tanning 3111
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals 8062
Heavy Equipment Maintenance 7699
Manufacturing/Distribution 3900
Metal Finishing 3471
Paint Manufacturing/Formulating 2851
Pesticide Formulating 2879
Pharmaceutical Preparations 2834
Photofinishing/Photoprocessing 7395
Precious Metal Plating
Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing
Printing
Research and Education Institutions
Research Laboratories
Vocational Shops
Wood Treating/Preserving
12
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Additional Opportunities for Obtaining Technical Information
International Cleaner Production Information Clearinghouse
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), through its
Industry and Environment Office and in cooperation with EPA, has
established the International Cleaner Production Information Clearing-
house (ICPIC) to promote cleaner production through technology trans-
fer, education, and public awareness. Through ICPIC, access can be
gained to a message center, bulletins, calendar of events, case studies,
programme summaries, an on-line bibliography, and UNEP's Cleaner
Production Directory of contacts. Additionally, conferences can be
accessed that contain a message center, bulletins, and databases particu-
lar to the conference topic. Available conferences include: Pollution
Prevention Information Clearinghouse run by EPA (additional informa-
tion on this clearinghouse follows); Industry Working Groups; Govern-
ment Policies Working Group; Data Harmonization Working Group;
Cleaner Production Research; and Country-Specific Conferences.
ICPIC can be accessed by anyone using direct dial telephone lines or
with a personal computer equipped with a modem and appropriate
communications software. For more information on ICPIC, contact:
Direction Commerciale Transpac
Tour Montparnasse, 33, Avenue du Maine
75755 Paris CEDEX 15
FRANCE .- ,
Telephone: 33-1-45-38-52-11
Telex: TPC 260676 F
Additional information can be requested from:
The Director
Industry and Environment Office
United Nations Environment Programme
39-43 quai Andre Citroen
75739 Paris CEDEX 15 r
FRANCE
Telephone: 33-1-40-58-88-50
Fax: 33-1-40-58-88-74
Telex: 204 997 F
Cables: UNTTERRA PARIS
Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse (PPIC)
PPIC is a clearinghouse dedicated to reducing industrial pollutants
through technology transfer, education and public awareness. Techni-
cal, policy, programmatic, legislative, and financial information on
pollution prevention is available. Four information exchange mecha-
nisms are available to ensure efficient and comprehensive technical
support:
REPOSITORY - A hard copy reference library containing the most up-
to-date information on pollution prevention. Phone 1-800-424-9346 for
assistance.
POLLUTION PREVENTION ELECTRONIC INFORMATION EX-
CHANGE SYSTEM (PIES) - A computerized conduit to information
databases and document ordering accessible by any personal computer
equipped with a modem. PIES can be accessed internationally or
anywhere in the U.S. via TELENET. For more information, or to obtain
the number in your area, call: 1-800-TELENET or contact: Sprint Data
Services, 8229 Boone Blvd., Suite 500, Vienna, VA 22182 USA. For
* t
assistance pn the use of this system, call the PPIC Technical Support
HOTLINE at 1-703-821-4800.
13
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HOTLINE - A telephone service to answer or refer questions and
provide a link to PEES for users without access to a personal computer.
The phone number is 1-800-424-9346.
OUTREACH EFFORTS - Information packets containing general and
industry-specific materials on prevention opportunities as well as work-
shop training sessions.
For further information on PPIC, contact: M. Morse, USEPA, OEETD,
401M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460. FAX: 202-260-245-3861
NATO/CCMS PROJECT: Pollution Prevention Strategies for
Sustainable Development
The Office of Research and Development in cooperation with the
Office of Pollution Prevention is directing a three year project to
investigate various pollution prevention policies, regulations, and tech-
nologies to increase the adoption of pollution prevention strategies in
NATO countries. Other countries participating in the study are Belgium,
Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, the Netherlands,
Norway, and Turkey. At a recent organizational meeting, three direc-
tions were identified for the project (technology; policy and regulations;
and education). The study will:
1. Establish an international network of individuals and agencies en-
gaged in pursuing the development of pollution prevention and sustain-
able development initiatives.
2. Survey current regulatory and market approaches, and government
and non-government programs at all levels which encourage pollution
prevention in order to identify effective mechanisms in each country.
3. Provide a forum to disseminate the results of state-of-the-art clean
technology and clean product development, and identify technology and
policy long-term research needs for furthering the adoption of pollution
prevention goals.
4. Encourage individuals working in the field of pollution prevention
technology and policy research to broaden their understanding of the
subject by working in rotational assignments with agencies in the
participating countries or by visiting participating countries to view
firsthand the environmentally beneficial effects of pollution prevention
strategies.
5. Support the presentation of educational seminars and training work-
shops in various countries.
6. Provide a focus for exchanging information on new pollution preven-
tion options to individuals and agencies within non-NATO countries.
The study is incorporating non-NATO countries as participants. 1992
activities for the study will include a workshop in either the Netherlands
or Canada in May on Pollution Prevention through Consumer Educa-
tion, a workshop in Turkey in May on Pollution Prevention for Devel-
oping Countries, and a workshop (held in connection with the annual
meeting for the study) in November in Budapest, Policies to Encourage
Pollution Prevention. For additional information, contact Harry Free-
man, USEPA, RREL, Mailcode466, Cincinnati, OH 45268. FAX: 513-
569-7549.
Pollution Prevention Research Branch: Current Projects
A semi-annual report published by the Pollution Prevention Re-
search Branch of the Office of Research and Development that contains
summaries of current pollution prevention projects. To order this report,
contact:
USEPA- Office of Research and Development
Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory
Pollution Prevention Research Branch
Mail Stop 466
26 West Martin Luther King Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45268
Fax: 513-569-7549
14
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Pollution Prevention News
A newsletter devoted to current information and events having to do
with pollution prevention. Completed case study results, excerpts from
research papers, and a schedule of events dealing with pollution preven-
tion are among the information presented. To be added to the mailing list
for this newsletter, write to:
Pollution Prevention News
USEPA
401 M Street SW (PM-222b)
Washington, DC 20460
ORD TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER NEWSLETTER
An Office of Research and Development newsletter providing a
current listing of scheduled workshops, conferences and seminars. It
also announces the availability of new publications, reports, databases,
and expert systems. A publication order sheet is included. To be added
to the Technology Transfer Newsletter mailing list, write to: CERI,
Technology Transfer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, P.O. Box
19963, Cincinnati, OH 45219-0963.
ORD ELECTRONIC BULLETIN BOARD SYSTEM
The ORD Electronic Bulletin Board System (BBS), in addition to
fostering communication among officials, researchers and the private
sector, facilitates the exchange of technical information and ORD
products in the form of electronic messages, brief bulletins about ORD
products and activities, files for downloading, participation in confer-
ences, and on-line databases for identifying ORD publications. For
additional information and assistance in using the BBS, call 513-569-
7272 or write to: CERI, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ORD
BBS, G-76, Cincinnati, OH 45268.
15
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Ordering Technical Documents
The EPA documents mentioned in the Technical Information Package brochures can be ordered at no charge (while supplies are available)
from the Center for Environmental Research Information (CERI). Once the CERI inventory is exhausted, clients will be directed to the National
Technical Information Service (NTIS) where documents may be purchased. Orders can be placed by mail, phone, or FAX. To order documents,
have the document number or the EXACT title ready. The journal articles listed in the Additional References section may be ordered from the U.S.
National Focal Point of INFOTERRA.
CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH INFORMATION (CERI)
U.S. EPA, P.O. BOX 19963
CINCINNATI, OH 45219-0963
513-569-7562 PHONE 989-296-(US EPA UD) TELEX
513-569-7566 FAX
NEEDED TO ORDER: EPA document number or the EXACT title.
INFOTERRA U.S. NATIONAL FOCAL POINT
U.S. EPA
401MST..S.W., PM211A
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
202-260-5917 PHONE (23) 4979995 TELEX
202-260-3923 FAX
NEEDED TO ORDER: Name of journal, volume number, and page numbers.
NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE (NTIS)
5285 PORT ROYAL ROAD
SPRINGFIELD, VA 22161
703-487-4650 PHONE
703-321-8547 FAX
NEEDED TO ORDER: EPA document number, NTIS number,
or EXACT title.
16
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Organization of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
with Functional Notes
Staff Offices
Executive Secretary
Civil Rights '
Advisory Committee
Staff Support
Program Offices
I
Office of Solid
Waste and
Emergency
Response
Solid & Hazardous
Wastes Program
Superfund Program
Emergency Planning
1
Office of Pesticides
and Toxic
Substances
Toxic Substances
Testing
Pesticide Registration
Toxic Release Inventory
Functional Offices
Office of Research
and Development
Ecological & Health
Effects Research
National Laboratories
Technology Transfer
1
Office of
Enforcement
National Enforcement
Policy
Coordination with DoJ
Investigations Program
Support Offices
Office of Administration and
Resources Management
Budget & Finance
Human Resources
Facilities
Information Management
Procurement & Grants
Office of General
Counsel
Legal Advice
Defensive Litigation
Associate
Administrators
Public Affairs
Legislative Affairs
State/Local Relations
Office of Air
and Radiation
Air Emissions Program
Radiation Programs
Acid Rain
Global Change
Indoor air
1
Off ice of Water
Surface Water Program
Drinking Water Program
Oceans and Estuaries
Groundwater Program
Wetlands
1
Office of
International
Activities
Negotiate Treaties
Infl Visitors Program
Exchange & Technical
Assistance
Office of Policy, Planning
and Evaluation
Economic & Policy Analysis
Accountability Systems
Regulatory Management
Pollution Prevention Program
Office of the
Inspector General
Audits
Criminal Investigations
Regional Offices
(Program Operations and State Oversight)
i
1 1
Region 1
Bo*ton
Region II
New York
1
Region III
Philadelphia
1
Region IV
Atlanta
1
Region V
Chicago
1 1 1
Region VI
Dallas
Region VII
Kama* City
Region VIII
Denver
1
Region IX
San Francisco
1
Region X
Seattle
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EPA TIPs
Technical Information Packages
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