Science Inventory

WASTE MINIMIZATION ASSESSMENT FOR MANUFACTURER OF GRAVUER-COATED METALIZED PAPER AND METALIZED FILM

Citation:

Jendrucko, R. J., T. N. Coleman, AND G. P. Looby. WASTE MINIMIZATION ASSESSMENT FOR MANUFACTURER OF GRAVUER-COATED METALIZED PAPER AND METALIZED FILM. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/S-94/008 (NTIS PB95137626), 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 That document has been superseded by the Facility Pollution Prevention Guide (EPA/600/R-92/088, May 1992).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 manufacturers gravure-coated metalized paper and film. White coated paper purchased as a raw material is coated with a water-based or solvent-based mixture, and a thin layer of aluminum is deposited on the coating. Another coating is applied on top of the metalized surface. Rolls of film bought by the plant also receive a thin layer of aluminum. The team's report, detailing findings and recommendations, indicated that a large quantity of solvent evaporates from the plant's processes and that a large quantity of unused coating mixture is wasted. The greatest cost savings can be achieved by the plant through the installation of an automated system for mixing and diluting coating mixtures.