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 hazardous 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 Colorado State University performed an assessment at a plant manufacturing speed reduction equipment -- approximately 110,000 speed reduction units/yr. Plant operations include machining and assembling parts for worn gear shafts and other shafts, worn gear bodies, hubs and housings, bearings and seals. Keyed and threaded shafts are case-hardened, ground with a thread grinder, and deburred. Component parts are washed with an aqueous cleaner before assembly, and finished assemblies are spray painted with solvent-based paints and lacquer thinner. Spent cutting fluid and sludge, including turnings, and spent wash water are shipped offsite for disposal. Spent hydraulic oil and non-aqueous cutting fluid are shipped to a recycler. Waste paint and spent lacquer thinner are shipped offsite for incineration. The team's report, detailing findings and recommendations, indicated that most waste consists of spent aqueous cutting fluid, and that the greatest savings could be obtained by ultrafiltration and recycle of spent wash water.

Caption title. Shipping list no.: 91-750-P. "Oct. 1991." "EPA/600-M-91-046."