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WASTE MINIMIZATION ASSESSMENT FOR A MANUFACTURER OF CUSTOM MOLDED PLASTIC PRODUCTS
Citation:
Jendrucko, R. AND P. Miller. WASTE MINIMIZATION ASSESSMENT FOR A MANUFACTURER OF CUSTOM MOLDED PLASTIC PRODUCTS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/S-92/034 (NTIS 93-123024), 1992.
Impact/Purpose:
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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. 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). The WMAC team at the University of Tennessee performed an assessment at a plant manufacturing custom molded structural foam plastic products -- approximately 840,000 parts per year. Resin pellets are blended with colorant pellets and regrind, then processed through a mold and press machine. Unfinished products are degated to remove seams, have attachments inserted, and are drilled, if necessary- Next, parts are patched and sanded. Finally, the part undergoes finishing operations including nickel coating, spray fill application, and top coat application. The team's report, detailing findings and recommendations, indicated that the majority of waste was generated in the mold and press machines but that the greatest savings could be obtained by utilizing electrostatic spray equipment in the finishing department to reduce (by 28%) the amount of paint solids waste generated. This Research Brief was developed by the principal investigators and EPA's Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH, to announce key findings of an ongoing research project that is fully documented in a separate report of, the same title available from University City Science Center.