&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Pollution
Prevention and Toxics
7408
EPA745-K-94-012
May 1994
EPA's 33/50 Program
Company Profile
Olin Corporation
Printed on Recycled Paper
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THE 33/50 PROGRAM
This Company Profile is part of a series of reports being developed by EPA to highlight the accomplishments
of companies participating in the 33/50 Program. The 33/50 Program is an EPA voluntary pollution reduction
initiative that promotes reductions in direct environmental releases and offsite transfers of 17 high-priority toxic
chemicals. The program derives its name from its overall goals -- an interim goal of a 33% reduction by 1992 and
an ultimate goal of a 50% reduction by 1995. The program uses 1988 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) reporting
as a baseline. In February, 1991, EPA began contacting the parent companies of TRI facilities that reported using
33/50 Program chemicals since 1988 to request their participation in the 33/50 Program. As of April, 1994, a total
of 1,216 companies had elected to participate in
the Program, pledging to reduce emissions of the
17 target chemicals by more than 355 million
pounds by 1995. Companies are encouraged to
set their own reduction targets, which may vary
from the Program's national 33% and 50%
reduction goals. Company commitments and
reduction pledges continue to be received by EPA
on a daify basis.
17 PRIORITY CHEMICALS TARGETED
, BY THE 33/50 PROGRAM
BENZENE
CADMIUM & COMPOUNDS
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE
CHLOROFORM
CHROMIUM & COMPOUNDS
CYANIDES
DICHLOROMETHANE*
LEAD & COMPOUNDS
MERCURY & COMPOUNDS
, METHYL ETHYL KETONE
METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE
NICKEL & COMPOUNDS
TETRACHLOROETHYLENE
TOLUENE
1,1,1-TRICHLOROETHANE
TRICHLOROETHYLENE
XYLENBS
' Also referred to as methylene chloride
The 1992 TRI data revealed that releases
and transfers of 33/50 Program chemicals de-
clined by 40% between 1988 and 1992, surpass-
ing the Program's 1992 interim reduction goal by
more than 100 million pounds. This accomplish-
ment, together with evidence from analysis of
facilities' projected releases and transfers of the
17 priority chemicals, reported to TRI under the
Pollution Prevention Act, offers strong encourage-
ment that the 33/50 Program's ultimate goal of a
50% reduction by 1995 will be achieved.
EPA is committed to recognizing companies
for their participation in the 33/50 Program and
for the emissions reductions they achieve. The
Program issues periodic Progress Reports, in
which participating companies are listed and highlighted. In addition, Company Profiles, such as this one, are being
prepared to provide more detailed information about companies that have written to EPA describing significant
emissions reduction initiatives. Information presented in these profiles is drawn primarily from the company's
written 33/50 Program communications and the annual TRI reports submitted by their facilities (including Pollution
Prevention Act data reported to TRI in Section 8 of Form R). All company communications to EPA regarding
the 33/50 Program are available to the public upon request.
EPA does not endorse the performance, worker safety, or environmental acceptability of any of the technical
options discussed in this Profile. Mention of any product or procedure in this document is for informational
purposes only, and does not constitute a recommendation of any such product or procedure, either express or
implied, by EPA.
For information on the 33/50 Program, contact the TSCA Hotline at (202) 554-1404 or contact 33/50
Program staff directly by phone at (202) 260-6907 or by mail at Mail Code 7408, Office of Pollution
Prevention and Toxics, U.S. EPA, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20460.
33/50 Program Company Profile: Olin Corporation
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Olin Corporation
Olin Corporation has reduced its total releases
and transfers of 33/50 Program chemicals by 67%
from 1988 to 1992. The company has achieved this
result through source reduction, in-process and
post-process recycling and reclamation, and im-
proved waste treatment. This Company Profile
highlights successful actions taken at several Olin
facilities.
I. CORPORATE BACKGROUND
Olin Corporation is a Fortune 200 company,
headquartered in Stamford, CT, with 29 facilities
nationwide in 15 states. The company
manufactures a wide variety of products, including
specialty chemicals, metals, and other materials, as
well as products for the defense, aerospace and
sporting ammunition industries.
In 1988, Olin reported releases of 14 of the
33/50 Program chemicals from 23 manufacturing
facilities, as well as a number of non-33/50 TRI
chemicals. Table I, at the end of this profile, pres-
ents the company's TRI data on releases and
transfers for the whole company, while Table II
provides these data for selected facilities.
Olin reported total releases and transfers of
2,040,150 pounds of 33/50 Program chemicals in
1988. Of this amount, 928,368 pounds were air
emissions of solvents, and 817,062 pounds were
off-site disposal of lead.
Sources of 1988 Releases and Transfers
of 33/50 Program Chemicals
Off-Site
Disposal of
Lead
40%
Air
Emissions
of Solvents
46%
Releases and Transfers of 33/50 Program
Chemicals Reported by Olin Corporation
(1000 pounds)
1988 1992
33150 Chemicals
Benzene 5 4
Carbon tetrachloride 12 4
Chloroform 6 31
Chromium & compounds 2 <1
Cyanide compounds < 1 < 1
Dichloromethane 289 165
Lead & compounds 920 53
Mercury 20 12
Methyl ethyl ketone 11 15
Nickel & compounds 22 44
Tetrachloroethylene 4 0
Toluene 5 8
1,1,1-Trichloroethane 644 252
Xylenes 102 85
Total 33/50 Chemicals* 2,040 673
* Columns do not sum to totals due to rounding.
II. CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL
STRATEGY
Olin was one of the first companies to sign on
to the 33/50 Program by making a commitment to
reduce its releases and transfers of all 33/50 Pro-
gram chemicals. Since then, the company has
actively investigated opportunities to reduce its
environmental impact and has implemented emis-
sion reduction options at many of its facilities.
For example, Olin has adopted voluntary pollution
prevention guidelines under the Responsible Care
initiative of the Chemical Manufacturers Associa-
tion (CMA), and has developed several additional
company goals in areas including hazardous waste
generation, wastewater treatment compliance, and
the handling of existing hazardous waste
remediation sites.
III. 33/50 PROGRAM GOALS AND
POLLUTION REDUCTION ACTIVITIES
The company established a company-wide goal
of reducing total releases and transfers of 33/50
Program chemicals by 50% in 1995, based on 1988
33/50 Program Company Profile: Olin Corporation
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levels. Olin subsequently strengthened this pledge
for itself in order to maintain a strong incentive to
develop and implement pollution reduction activi-
ties, committing to reduce total releases and
transfers of 33/50 Program chemicals by 85% by
year-end 1998, based on 1988 levels.
Olin has pursued a number of approaches to
reduce its releases of 33/50 Program chemicals and
meet its 33/50 Program goals, including source
reduction, in-process and post-process recycling
and reclamation, and improved waste treatment.
Examples of significant projects at Olin facilities
that have successfully reduced the emissions of
33/50 program chemicals to the environment
include:
Olin Corp.. Rochester, NY. Olin's Rochester
facility produces over 60 different types of specialty
chemicals -- relatively low volume products tai-
lored to the specific needs of individual customers,
including biocides (zinc or sodium pyrithione),
aniline dyes, and pharmaceutical ingredients. In
1988, the facility reported air emissions of 11,540
pounds of carbon tetrachloride, which is used as a
non-reactive diluent. In order to recover carbon
tetrachloride from air vents, the plant installed a
scrubber and additional process vent collection
equipment, and now reuses the reclaimed material
in several of the facility's production processes.
1992 air emissions of carbon tetrachloride were
reduced to 3,437 pounds at this facility, a reduction
of 70%. This facility is also investigating the
substitution of carbon tetrachloride and other
33/50 Program chemicals with non-toxic raw
materials.
restricting access and-requiring employees to justify
their use of the material; identifying material
substitution options for products not required to
use the chemical (e.g., by military procurement
specifications); and modifying the chiller on a
solvent degreaser to enhance vapor capture. As a
result of these efforts, air emissions of 1,1,1-tri-
chloroethane were reduced to 21,700 pounds in
1992, a reduction of over 80% from 1988 levels.
The facility is currently investigating two additional
actions to further reduce the use of 1,1,1-trichloro-
ethane: installing a parts washer which will use
water-based cleaners instead of chlorinated sol-
vents, or altering the overall production process to
completely eliminate the cleaning process.
Sources of Reductions in
Releases and Transfers, 1988-1992
Reclamation
of Lead
56%
Solvent
Emission
Reductions
35%
Olin Corporation's pledged reductions
of releases and transfers under the
33/50 Program of 50% by 1995 and
85% by year end 1998 are augmented
by other key corporate environmental
goals and commitments.
Olin Ordnance. Red Lion, PA. The Red Lion
facility produces various munitions for the military.
In 1988, this facility reported air emissions of
122,535 pounds of 1,1,1-trichloroethane. This
chemical is used as a multi-purpose cleaner and
degreaser. The Red Lion facility took a number of
steps to reduce the use of this chemical, including:
Bridgeport Brass Co.. Indianapolis, IN. In 1988
this facility reported air emissions of 37,000
pounds of 1,1,1-trichloroethane and
dichloromethane, which were used as degreasers.
By 1990, the facility had completely eliminated its
use of these two chlorinated solvents by switching
to the use of water-based soaps and hot water
rinsing in its metal processing and maintenance
operations.
Main Plant Facility, East Alton. IL. Olin's East
Alton Main Plant facility used to landfill large
quantities of lead wastes (off-site disposal of
815,853 pounds in 1988), primarily from bullets
test-fired into sand traps at the Winchester sport-
ing ammunition plant. The facility used to screen
33/50 Program Company Profile: Olin Corporation
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as much lead as possible out of the sand for reuse
in their own production processes, and landfill the
remaining lead-contaminated sand off-site. The
facility began selling unscreened material to a
battery manufacturer, and more recently began
selling it to a lead smelter. The sand/lead mixture
is used directly as a recycled raw material in the
smelting process. The landfilling of lead wastes
has thus been dramatically reduced to 39,673
pounds in 1992, for an overall reduction of 95%.
Upon achieving its initial reduction goal
of 50%, Olin strengthened its goal to an
85% reduction by 1998.
The company as a whole continues to explore
additional opportunities to reduce its releases and
transfers of toxic chemicals, both through the 33/50
Program and the Responsible Care initiative.
IV. PROGRESS TOWARDS 33/50
REDUCTION GOALS
As a result of these and other efforts, Olin has
made rapid progress in reducing its releases and
transfers of 33/50 Program chemicals. Between
1988 and 1992, Olin reduced its releases and trans-
fers of 33/50 Program chemicals by 67%, a reduc-
tion of 1,367,614 pounds. Much of this reduction
was the result of eliminating or capturing 473,114
pounds of air emissions of 33/50 Program solvents.
In addition, Olin reduced off-site disposal of 33/50
Program chemicals by 876,904 pounds between
1988 and 1992, including shifting 776,180 pounds
of lead from off-site disposal in a landfill to off-site
recycling — an action that represents a move up
the pollution prevention hierarchy.
Olin's Progress Towards Meeting
33/50 Program Goals
2500
33/50
Goal
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992
33/50 Goal: 50% reduction in releases
and transfers of 33SO chemicals by 1995
New Goal: 85% reduction by 1998
V. SUMMARY OF OLIN'S
EXPERIENCE
Overall, Olin Corporation's participation in
the 33/50 Program has been extremely positive. By
1992, Olin had already surpassed its 1995 goals for
reducing releases and transfers of 33/50 Program
chemicals. Olin achieved these successes through
a mixture of source reduction, recycling and recla-
mation, and treatment. This success is projected
to continue, and Olin has set a new goal of achiev-
ing an 85% reduction in releases and transfers of
33/50 Program chemicals by 1998.
33/50 Program Company Profile: Olin Corporation
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Table I
Olin Corporation
Releases and Transfers of 33/50 Program Chemicals, 1988-1992
Chemical
Carbon tetrachloride
Dichloromethane
Lead and Compounds
1,1,1 -Trichloroethane
Other 33/50 Program Chemicals
All 33/50 Program Chemicals
Percent Change. 1988-1992
Year
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
Transfers Percent
Surface Off-site Change
Total Air Water Releases Transfers for Treatment/ Total Releases 1988-1992
Emissions Discharges to Land to POTW Disposal/Other and Transfers (1) Total Releases
(pounds) (pounds) (pounds) (pounds) (pounds) (pounds) and Transfers
1 1 ,540
10,807
8,551
4,222
3,437
212,743
182,020
219,071
182,108
161,751
3,040
2,621
1,585
1,781
1,891
639,310
684,01 1
352,799
269,970
206,185
73,541
98,176
69,453
65,264
89,842
940,174
977,635
651,459
523,345
463,106
-51%
0
0
0
0
0
0
230
2
0
0
475
761
535
261
776
310
260
227
0
0
7,597
7,888
5,039
4,459
3,446
8,382
9,139
5,803
4,720
4,222
-50%
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
1,000
250
750
336
328
0
0
0
0
0
5,057
4,431
3,926
2,335
3,111
6,057
4,681
4,676
2,671
3,444
-43%
18
20
514
2
181
393
837
431
22
11
634
388
10
299
310
0
0
0
0
0
6,740
4,046
661
318
414
7,785
5,291
1,616
641
916
-88%
63
801
2,354
117
99
75,548
4,482
5,328
11,069
2,918
915,212
421,965
462,512
44,998
49,351
3,983
250
250
42,899
45,671
82,946
395,330
370,644
140,637
102,809
1,077,752
822,828
841,088
239,720
200,848
-81%
11,621
11,628
11,419
4,341
3,717
288,684
187,569
224,832
193,199
164,685
920,361
425,985
465,392
47,675
52,656
643,603
684,521
353,276
312,869
251,856
175,881
509,871
449,723
213,013
199,622
2,040,150
1,819,574
1,504,642
771,097
672,536
-67%
-68%
43%
-94%
-61 %
13%
-67%
Notes: (1) 1991 and 1992 Total Releases and Transfers do not include on- or off-site recycling or energy recovery.
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Table n
Olin Corporation
Releases and Transfers of 33/50 Program Chemicals at Selected Facilities, 1988-1992
Transfers
Surface Off-site
Total Air Water Releases Transfers for Treatment/ Total Releases
Emissions Discharges to Land to POTW Disposal/Other and Transfers (1)
Facility/Chemical Year (pounds) (pounds) (pounds) (pounds) (pounds) (pounds)
Olin Corp.. Rochester. NY
Carbon tetrachloride
Other 33/50 Program Chemicals
All 33/50 Program Chemicals
Olin Ordnance, Red Lion, PA
1,1,1 -Trichloroethane
Other 33/50 Program Chemicals
All 33/50 Program Chemicals
Bridgeport Brass Corp., Indianapolis,
Dichloromethane
1,1,1 -Trichloroethane
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1989
1990
1991
1992
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
IN
1988
1989
1988
1989
11,540
10,807
8,551
4,222
3,437
15,013
8,479
7,198
6,981
7,056
26,553
19,286
15,749
11,203
10,493
122,535
145,000
30,000
33,440
21,700
5,500
5,820
5,600
1,669
122,535
150,500
35,820
39,040
23,369
22,000
28,000
15,000
1,211
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
0
0
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
18
20
514
2
181
1,376
1,730
618
37
26
1,394
1,750
1,132
39
207
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
63
801
2,354
117
99
11,485
3,711
221,543
30,007
29,449
11,548
4,512
223,897
30,124
29,548
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6,600
0
0
0
0
6,600
0
0
0
0
0
11,621
11,628
11,419
4,341
3,717
27,874
13,920
229,359
37,025
36,536
39,495
25,548
240,778
41,366
40,253
122,535
145,000
30,000
33,440
21,700
5,500
5,820
12,200
1,669
122,535
150,500
35,820
45,640
23,369
22,000
28,000
15,000
1,211
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Table II
Olin Corporation
Releases and Transfers of 33/50 Program Chemicals at Selected Facilities, 1988-1992
Facility/Chemical Year
Other 33/50 Program Chemicals 1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
All 33/50 Proeram Chemicals 1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
Main Plant Facility, East Alton, IL
Lead 1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
Other 33/50 Program Chemicals 1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
All 33/50 Program Chemicals 1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
Transfers
Surface Off-site
Total Air Water Releases Transfers for Treatment/ Total Releases
Emissions Discharges to Land to POTW Disposal/Other and Transfers (1)
(pounds) (pounds) (pounds) (pounds) (pounds) (pounds)
750
104
133
175
248
37,750
29,315
133
175
248
1,700
1,700
1,163
1,500
1,500
272,700
282,800
239,799
151,501
91,922
274,400
284,500
240,962
153,001
93,422
306
242
2
31
9
306
242
2
31
9
150
250
267
210
680
1,453
945
111
670
956
1,603
1,195
1,044
880
1,636
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
278
386
205
512
615
278
386
205
512
615
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1,000
3,009
6,505
5,294
1,744
1,000
3,009
6,505
5,294
1,744
815,853
330,088
300,616
35,953
39,673
5,173
4,743
9,008
8,251
3,730
821,026
334,831
309,624
44,204
43,403
2,334
3,741
6,845
6,012
2,616
39,334
32,952
6,845
6,012
2,616
817,703
332,038
302,046
37,663
41,853
279,326
288,488
249,584
160,422
96,608
1,097,029
620,526
551,630
198,085
138,461
Notes: (1) 1991 and 1992 Total Releases and Transfers do not include on- or off-site recycle or energy recovery.
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