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WASTE MINIMIZATION ASSESSMENT FOR A MANUFACTURER OF SURGICAL IMPLANTS
Citation:
Edwards, H. W., M. F. Kostrzewa, AND G. P. Looby. WASTE MINIMIZATION ASSESSMENT FOR A MANUFACTURER OF SURGICAL IMPLANTS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/S-94/009, 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 That document has been superseded by the Facility Pollution Prevention Guide (EPA/600/R-92/088, May 1992).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 Colorado State University performed an assessment at a plant that manufactures surgical implants from stainless steel and titanium stock. The metal stock is machined, vibratory polished, electropolished, passivated, inspected, and shipped. The team's report, detaling findings and recommendations, indicated that wastewater and waste cutting fluid are the wastes generated in the greatest quantities and that significant cost savings would result from implementing a formal cutting fluid management plan.