Pollution Prevention for Light Industry and the Service Industry

P2 Ideas for Urban Environments

Work with a National Initiative

Identify potential Federal and Private facilities that may participate in the National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP)– EPA assists by sending out an invitation to join

NPEP– Follow up with a site visit– Win-Win situation for facility and the EPA

What types of chemical reductions are a focus for NPEP?

Mercury – Fluorescent Light Fixtures– Thermometers– Switches/thermostats

Lead– Paint– Weights

PCB’s– Transformers

Focus on “Light” Industry“Service” Industry

Auto Body Shops Dry Cleaners Property Management Schools/Universities Hospitals

AUTO BODY SHOPS

Purchase materials that are less hazardous

– Avoid chlorinated solvents

– Use high solids paints (more solids/less VOC’s)

– Use aqueous cleaning solutions

– Consider using water-borne paints

Reduce paint contaminated waste

– Reuse paint mixing cups and use metal mixing sticks

– Consider investing in a weigh scale to accurately measure paint

– Use paint leftovers for equipment setup and spray pattern testing

AUTO BODY SHOPS

Control the use of solvents and paint thinners– Use water based prep solutions and cleaners– Avoid metal surface cleaning solvents– Use a mechanical or enclosed cleaning system– Utilize used solvent as a pre-wash for tough

cleaning jobs– Use a solvent recycler or distillation unit to

recover used solvent and save money

AUTO BODY SHOPS Process Efficiency-SAVE $$$$

Improve paint transfer efficiency by providing periodic training for operators and using efficient – Shop saves money by decreasing amount of paint

purchased, replacing paint booth filters less frequently and less frequent cleaning of the paint booth

– Use high volume-low pressure spray guns for higher transfer efficiency

AUTO BODY SHOPS Process Efficiency-SAVE $$$$

Keep track of shop inventory to prevent over purchasing and prevent products from exceeding their expiration dates

– Use up older materials first– Buy in bulk if practical those products that don’t have a shelf

life to reduce multiple packaging and container disposal problems

– Use cost effective reusable spray bottles for cleaners– Regularly check for leaks and spills, cleaning them up

immediately

DRY CLEANING

Monitor Equipment efficiency (lbs of clothes cleaned per drum of solvent)

Utilize water based or less hazardous pre-spotters

Use alternative petroleum solvents to lower VOC content

Use alternative to PERC solvents and techniques

Replace perc machine with a dry to dry closed loop non vented machine that contains an integral refrigerated condenser and carbon adsorber

Utilize new technologies such as ultrasonic or carbon dioxide cleaning

Consider adding a wet cleaning operation for a portion of the cleaning

DRY CLEANING

Implement a leak detection and repair program Implement good housekeeping and maintenance

practices:– Drain filters for 24 hours before disposal,– Ensure waste containers do not leak– Replace equipment as soon as necessary– Clean up spills immediately– Recycle within the industrial process when possible

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Fluorescent Bulbs Lead Paint Landscaping Pest Management

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Assess your facility for fluorescent lamps that contain mercury

Become knowledgeable about the regulation of lamps

Establish a process for handling, storing and managing lamps

Know how to properly manage broken lamps Educate employees Research cost effective measures for recycling and

disposal of lamps

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Fluorescent Lamp Recycling– Significant reduction in mercury in landfills– Can be cost effective if managed correctly

Switch from traditional incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs to reduce energy

Dispose of broken bulbs properly– Know the hazards of mercury spills

Schools and Universities

Mercury ThermometersLaboratory ChemicalsRenovation MaterialsMaintenance Materials

Hospitals

Mercury– Thermometers– Dental Amalgams– Instrumentation– Laboratories