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WASTE MINIMIZATION ASSESSMENT FOR A MANUFACTURER OF ALUMINUM AND STEEL PARTS
Citation:
Edwards, H. W., M. F. Kostrzewa, AND G. P. Looby. WASTE MINIMIZATION ASSESSMENT FOR A MANUFACTURER OF ALUMINUM AND STEEL PARTS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/S-94/010, 1994.
Description:
The U.S.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has funded a pilot project to assist small and medium-sized 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 That document has been superseded by the Facility Pollution Prevention Guide (EPA/600/R-92/088, May 1992).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 a variety of steel and aluminum parts. Raw material is machined and the resulting parts are welded, ground, and chromated. Parts are then painted and logos and other lettering are screened onto the parts. The parts are shipped following inspection, assembly, and packaging. The team's report, detailing findings and recommendations, indicated that the waste streams generated in greatest quantity are rinse water and paint wastes, and that the greatest cost savings could be achieved by replacing the conventional paint guns currently used with more efficient substitutes.