Waste Minimization in the ^ Electroplating •. » Industry Technology Transfer Primer !'rr -jntcd I . ^'-S- Environmental !Yot<—"on Ag( Ollk'e of E-xploratoiy Research Great Uikcs and Mld-AdanUc llaxardons Sul search CenU Kducational Design Team of the University ol Michigan School ol Naiiual Kt-sourccs ------- In 1976 Congress passed the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) to ensure that hazardous waste Is man- aged safely In our society. Regulations under RCRA require the Identification and tracking of hazardous waste from its gen- eration to its disposal. In recent years, the US Environ- mental Protection Agency fEPA) has initiated a policy of waste minimization which redirects the focus of hazardous waste man- agement from controlling the waste after It is generated to not generating it in the first place. Waste minimization, then, is defined as source reduction or recycling that decreases the volume or toxlcity of waste. It does not include recycling by means of energy recovery. ------- This EPA Is strongly committed to waste minimization and to assisting Industry In adopting waste reduction techniques. Accordingly, it recommends a comprehensive training program to ensure an understanding of waste minimization policies. To increase available training, the EPA Office of .Exploratory Re- search administers a national program of research afid tech- nology transfer which supports five university-based Hazardous Substance Research Centers (HSRCs). Each of these HSRCs addresses hazardous substance issues that are national in scope, however, each center also directs its efforts In specialized areas. Assistance in choosing and monitoring projects Is provided to the centers' directors by separate scientific and technology transfer advisory committees. These committees consist of members from: • Industry, • academla, • environmental organizations and • government. 2. ------- The Great Lakes and Mid- Atlantic HSRC serves federal region pair three and five, which are home to one fifth of the nation's population but contain a much larger share of Its contamination problems. This HSRC Is headed by Dr. Walt Weber of the University of Michigan In partnership with Michigan State University and Howard University. The center focuses its activities on bioremediation research and technology transfer. To achieve these missions, the Center provides a climate of cooperation and excellence that is: • Multldlsclpllnary In scope • State-of-the-Art In character and quality • Problem-focused In selection of topics - Solution-oriented In approach 3. ------- Specializing In the technology transfer charge of this HSRC is the Educational Design Team (EOT) of the University of Michi- gan. Headed by Dr. Paul Nowak and based In the School of Natural Resources, EDT has developed a number of training programs for the EPA and associated state regulatory agencies. These programs, which focus on RCRA regula- tions. Include: RCRA Orientation Training RCRA Permit Writers Training RCRA Inspector Training The training program design consists of a combination of manuals and videotapes. Basic information on the subject is Included in the manual with the corre- sponding videotapes adding the visual component to the training program. This pamphlet and its available videotape were produced by EDT to demonstrate how this training design can be used to transfer informa- tion on waste minimization. 4. ------- Waste minimization programs can be developed for a variety of industries and situations. The electroplating industry is used here as an example of where this type of program can be implemented. There are abun- dant opportunities for reducing waste, and many methods are easy to implement in this situa- tion. For example, the following techniques have been success- fully Incorporated Into df agout management by many facilities in the electroplating business: i • Increasing the drainage time of the waste; • Using pack ports to maximize the drainage; • Using dralnboards between the tanks; • Using recovery tanks; and \ ' • Spray rinsing over the plating tank. The available videotape demonstrates the last two of these techniques listed to illustrate two important advantages of waste minimization: ------- First, effective waste minimization techniques can help production facilities achieve mandatory compli- ance of government regulations. Second, effective waste minimization techniques can save the facility money on production costs and the subse- quent costs of treatment storage and disposal of the wastes it generates. This pamphlet and available videotape serve as an introduction to the training design of the Educational Design Team. We have experience In developing waste minimization programs and can work with you to develop a program for your specific needs — for your industry — or your facility. For more Information about EOT or waste management training programs, contact: Dr. Paul F. Nowak Karen E. Vlgmostad Educational Design Team Training and Tech. Transfer Program Mgr. The University of Michigan GLMA HSRC 2028 Dana Building C-231 Holden Hall Ann Arbor, Michigan East Lansing, Michigan 48109-1115 48824-1206 Phone (313) 763-1312 Phone (517) 353-9718 FAX (313) 936-21 95 FAX (51 7) 355-4603 6. ------- |