Science Inventory

WASTE MINIMIZATION ASSESSMENT FOR A MANUFACTURER OF PREWASHED JEANS

Citation:

Jendrucko, R. J., T. N. Coleman, AND G. P. Looby. WASTE MINIMIZATION ASSESSMENT FOR A MANUFACTURER OF PREWASHED JEANS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/S-94/006 (NTIS PB95137642), 1994.

Description:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has funded a pilot project to assist small and medium-size manufacturers who want to minimize their generation of waste but who lack the expertise to do so. In an effort to assist these manufacturers Waste Minimization Assessment Centers (WMACs) were established at selected universities, and procedures were adapted from the EPA Waste Minimization Opportunity Assessment Manual (EPA/625/7-88/003, July 1988). That document has been superseded by the Facility Pollution Prevention Guide (EPA/600/R-92/088, May 1992). The WMAC team at the University of Tennessee performed an assessment at a plant that prewashes denim jeans prior to retail sale. Predyed jeans are received from other facilities and washed. An abrasive material is used in some of the wash loads. Some of the jeans are processed in tumblers in order to give the jeans a faded look. After processing, the jeans are dried, inspected, mended, pressed, packaged, and shipped. The assessment team's report, detailing findings and recommendations, indicated that the waste generated in the greatest quantity is wastewater from the washers and tumblers and that the greatest cost savings could be realized by installing an onsite wastewater treatment plant.