SUCCESS STORY - Waste Minimization Auto Salvage Yard. Abstract:

Transcription

1 Waste Minimization Auto Salvage Yard Abstract: An automobile salvage yard was able to lower waste disposal costs, protect the environment, and enhance employee safety by implementing a variety of changes, including waste stream segregation, housekeeping improvements, and recycling. SUCCESS STORY - Box 197 Mayo 420 Delaware St. S.E. University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN This Success Story has been written to document a successful waste reduction project, It is meant to condense and summarize the case by highlighting waste reduction options and their impact. Success Stories can be used to survey opportunities for waste reduction and to provide a starting point for further research. Assisting Minnesota Business in Waste Reduction

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3 Background John's Auto Parts in Blaine, Minnesota is a salvage yard which purchases used autos to recover potentially usable parts. They have added a shop dealing in new parts, as well. Acid-containing batteries and mineral spirits used for cleaning parts constitute the hazardous waste generated by the dismantling and recycling process. Nonhazardous wastes include used oil and antifreeze drained from the salvaged autos. Implementation John's Auto Parts implemented several methods of waste reduction, summarized as follows: Waste Stream Segregation Previously mixed oil and mineral spirits waste streams were separated. This reduces the overall amount of hazardous waste, because oil uncontaminated with mineral spirits is not hazardous. The N o waste streams can be dealt with appropriately. Inventory Control Computer tracked inventory records allow the shop to avoid overstocking used parts, thus removing unnecessary sources of wastes. Leak Prevention A diked storage area with an impermeable surface for battery storage features curbs to prevent battery acid from leaking into areas with floor drains. The batteries are then removed by a contractor. Reclaimed materials The company has contracted with Safety Kleen to remove used mineral spirits for off-site distillation. The reclaimed mineral spirits can then be reused. Recycled materials John's Auto Parts sells used anti-freeze (drained from the salvaged autos) to the public for $1 a gallon. Results The company isable to reduce disposal costs by selling anti-freeze, maintaining appropriate inventory levels, and reducing the volume of hazardous waste by separating the oil and mineral spirits waste streams. Environmental damage is prevented by proper storage of batteries and removal of mineral spirits; these measures enhance employee safety, as well. - Source of information The information for this tip was documented by a MnTAP staff member who had consulted with the company. The waste reduction practices described were already in effect before MnTAP's involvement. 1 John's Auto Parts

4 Figure Waste Reduction Methods Implemented 0 Waste Stream Segregatio 2 John's Auto Parts

5 Office of Waste Reduction November 1988 FACT SHEET AUTOBODY SHOPS Autobody shops are prime candidates for waste reduction. Typical wastes generated by autobody shops include waste paint thinner, cleaning solvents, and paint wastes. Many of these wastes, which result from painting, paint preparation and equipment cleaning are categorized as dangerous wastes by Washington State's Dangerous Waste Regulations (Chapter WAC.) All dangerous wastes must be managed and disposed of legally. In order to run your shop as economically and efficiently as possible you should reduce all types of wastes including dangerous wastes, solid wastes, and air and water emissions. There are a variety of ways that you can reduce the amount of waste that you generate and in turn reduce your operating costs. Potential dangerous waste reduction techniques for autobody shops include: -, "Good housekeeping" Good housekeeping measures can greatly decrease the amount of wastes that are generated. To reduce excess waste production: Keep tight fitting lids and bungs on containers to prevent loss of chemicals through evaporation or spillage. Keeping lids on containers also prevents contamination with water, dirt or other materials. Use spigots and pumps when dispensing new materials and funnels when transferring wastes to storage containers to reduce the possibility of spills. Make sure that personnel are well trained. This will reduce the potential for offspec paints being mixed. Also, well trained personnel can usually use less solvent for clean-up purposes. Store products in locations that will preserve their shelf life. For example, store paint products in locations protected from temperature extremes. Accumulate wastes indoors or in a covered area to prevent moisture from seeping in. '0 Never mix different types of waste together. Mixing wastes may make recycling impossible, or make waste disposal much more expensive.

6 Inspect all damaged vehicles for leaks before they are brought into your shop. If leaks are detected, drip pans should be used to catch the leaking materials to prevent them from getting on to floors and into drains. Keep waste streams segregated Waste stream segregation is one of the simplest techniques you can use to reduce your wastes. By keeping your waste paint separate from your waste thinner you reduce contamination of the waste thinner. This is especially important if you are going to reuse the used thinner as wash thinner. Raw material substitution Consider replacing your current raw materials with raw materials that reduce the amount or toxicity of the waste that you generate. Although the substitution of waterbased paints for solvent-based paints is increasing in many paint-associated industries, few water-based paints provide viable alternatives in the auto painting industry. A practical sealing method needs to be developed before the substitution can take place on a lacge scale. However, as in most cases where there is a demand a method will usually be developed. Modify your process Mix your own paint-this allows you to mix only the amount of paint needed for a particular job and therefore reduce the amount of waste paint generated. e Use more efficient spray equipment-paint overspray creates waste and causes economic losses. The chart below illustrates the efficiency rates of various types of paint spraying equipment. EQUIPMENT TRAMSf ER EFFICIENCY air-atomized 30-60% electrostatic 65-80% powder coating 90-99% Decreasing the size of spray gun paint cups can reduce waste generation by limiting the amount of leftover paint and decreasing the amount of solvent needed for equipment cleaning. Solvent reuse or reolacement Solvents can be reused prior to recycling in a variety of ways. For example: Used solvent can be used to rinse out spray equipment initially and then a small amount of fresh solvent can be used to clean out any residue.

7 In cases where high purity solvents are required for cleaning certain parts, clean these parts with fresh solvent and then use the used solvent to clean other dirtier parts. Recycled paint thinner, although not always suitable for use as a paint thinner again, can be used as "wash thinner." Another method you can use to obtain "wash thinner" is to simply allow the waste thinner to separate out into thinner and sludge. Then siphon the thinner off and use it as "wash thinner." Solvent recvclina Solvent recycling can be done off-site or on-site. You can contract with a solvent tank maintenance service. They will come to your business on a regular basis, remove the solvent and sludge from your tank and replace it with clean solvent. Spent solvents can be sent off-site to a commercial recycler where generally 70-80% of the solvent can be reprocessed and sold back to the generator at a reduced cost. Solvent recovery can also take place on-site. Commercial solvent recovery units are available in various sizes; the smallest units can handle 5 gallons of waste solvent per batch. Most recovery systems pay for themselves in less that two years by reducing the quantity of raw material needed to be purchased and the amount of waste which has to be managed. However, there are many factors you should consider before making the decision to install a solvent distillation unit. See the Fact Sheet on "Considerations in Selecting a Still for On-Site Recycling" for more information. A study done in California determined that as little as 0.3 gallons of paint thinner can be used per car. Determine how much thinner you use per car, then try some of these techniques to see if you can reduce the amount you use. Non-hazardous waste reduction methods Non-hazardous waste reduction methods used successfully by Washington businesses include: Reusing andlor recycling paper-- A simple strategy employed to reduce the use of paper is to use both sides of the sheet, either by making two-sided copies or by using the backside of paper as scratch paper. Newspapers are often donated to charities by businesses. Other types of paper are sold for recycling.

8 e Recycling cardboard--some businesses that generate large amounts of cardboard have found it economically feasible to bale and sell their cardboard. Businesses with small amounts of cardboard usually give it away to a business or charity willing to pick it up. e Reusing and/or recycling 55 gallon drums--businesses either return empty drums to the chemical supplier or give them to a cooperage company who reconditions and sells them. (Keep in mind that these drums must meet the definition of "empty" as defined in section 160 of the Dangerous Waste Regulations.) Enerav and materials conservation oroaram e Try to use the latest technology. New equipment may require less energy to operate. e /dentiv all materials that you use in your facility. Evaluate how much is going into products and how much is disposed. e Monitor your water and electric meters routinely for a period of time. Identify peaks and valleys for usage during the day and week. Determine if there are activities that consume water and electricity that could be curtailed during nonproduction hours. The Washington State Energy Office ( ) can provide you with written materials to help you analyze your energy consumption and determine how to achieve the best use of your energy resources. For more information on waste reduction techniques call Washington State's Waste Reduction Information Line at toll-free at Information for this Fact Sheet was obtained in part from the Alaska Health Proiect. Produced by: Washington State Department of Ecology Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling Mail Stop PV-11 Olympia, WA (206) Printed on Recycled Paper

9 Office of Waste Reduction November 1988 FACT SHEET I l P I I I Y I I I o r E C O L O G Y AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOPS Automotive repair shops are prime candidates for waste reduction. Typical wastes generated by automotive repair shops include used oils, antifreeze, carburetor cleaners, degreasing solvents, and spent hot dip tank solutions. Many of these wastes are categorized as dangerous wastes by Washington State's Dangerous Waste Regulations. All dangerous wastes must be managed and disposed of legally. In order to run your shop as economically and efficiently as possible you should reduce all types of wastes including dangerous wastes, solid wastes, and air and water emissions.there are a variety of ways that you can reduce the amount of waste that you gerferate and in turn reduce your operating costs. Potential dangerous waste reduction techniques for automotive repair shops include: "Good house kee D i n a" Practicing good housekeeping measures can greatly decrease the amount of wastes that you generate. To reduce excess waste production: Make sure container lids are tight fitting and in place whenever you are not using the product to prevent loss of chemicals through evaporation or spillage. Keeping lids on containers also prevents contamination with water, dirt or other materials. Use spigots, pumps and funnels when dispensing and transferring materials to reduce the possibility of spills. Store products in locations that will preserve their shelf life. For example, store solvents in locations protected from temperature extremes. Accumulate wastes indoors or in a covered area to prevent moisture from seeping in. Never mix different types of waste together. Mixing wastes may make recycling impossible, or make waste disposal much more expensive. Use drip pans to collect oils and fluids. - Keep your shop clean and orderly to prevent accidents and spills.

10 - Keep waste streams segregated Waste stream segregation is one of the simplest techniques you can use to reduce your wastes. Keeping waste streams segregated allows for easier recycling and reduced disposal costs. For example: Keep used solvent separate from used oil. Used oil can be recycled and therefore will not require costly disposal as long as solvents have not been added to it. Keep used chlorinated solvents such as I, I, I-trichloroethane and methylene chloride separate from non-chlorinated solvents. Use different funnels for used oil and solvents to reduce potential for contamination. Substitute raw materials Consider replacing your current raw materials with raw materials that reduce the amount or toxicity of the waste that you generate. For example: Use detergent-based or water-based cleaners instead of solvent-based cleaners. (Note: Be aware that the rinsewater from these cleaners may have to be handled as a dangerous waste.) Substitute non-chlorinated compounds for chlorinated compounds. Nonchlorinated compounds are less toxic and less expensive to dispose of. Use high performance, longer lasting oils. Modify your process: Add drip trays to your parts washing tanks. Increase freeboard to prevent evaporation of solvent from parts washers. Place hoods on all parts cleaning and carburetor cleaning processes to control solvent evaporation. Reduce dragout by allowing cleaned parts to drain thoroughly over the tank. Solvent reuse or replacement Solvents can be reused prior to recycling in a variety of ways. For example: 0 0 Used solvent can be used to prewash a part before it is cleaned with fresh solvent. In cases where high purity solvents are required for cleaning certain parts, clean these parts with fresh solvent and then use the used solvent to clean other dirtier parts.

11 Solvent recycling Solvent recycling can be done off-site or on-site. You can contract with a solvent tank maintenance service. They will come to your business on a regular basis, remove the spent solvent and sludge from your tank and replace it with clean solvent. Spent solvents can be sent off-site to a commercial recycler where generally 70-80% of the solvent can be reprocessed and sold back to the generator at a reduced cost. Solvent recovery can also take place on-site. Commercial solvent recovery units are available in various sizes; the smallest units can handle 5 gallons of waste solvent per batch. Most recovery systems pay for themselves in less that two years by reducing the quantity of raw material needed to be purchased and the amount of waste which has to be managed. Wowever, there are many factors you should consider before making the decision to install a solvent distillation unit. See the Fact Sheet on "Considerations in Selecting a Still for On-Site Recycling" for more information about onsite distillation units. Institute a enerqv and materials conservation Droclram in vour shor, Instituting a comprehensive conservation program can save money and conserve valuable resources. Try to use the latest technology. New equipment may require less energy to operate. ldentiv a// materials that you use in your facility. Evaluate how much is going into products and how much is disposed. Monitor your water and electric meters routinely for a period of time. Identify peaks and valleys for usage during the day and week. Determine if there are activities that consume water and electricity that could be curtailed during nonproduction hours. The Washington State Energy Office ( ) can provide you with written materials to help you analyze your energy consumption and determine how to achieve the best use of your energy resources.

12 Non-hazardous waste reduction methods Non-hazardous waste reduction methods used successfully by Washington businesses include: Reusing and/or recycling paper - A simple strategy employed to reduce the use of paper is to use both sides of the sheet by making two-sided copies or by using the backside of paper as scratch paper. Newspapers are often donated to charities by businesses.other types of paper are sold for recycling. Recycling cardboard - Some businesses that generate large amounts of cardboard have found it economically feasible to bale and sell their cardboard. Businesses with small amounts of cardboard usually give it away to a business or charity willing to pick it up. Reusing and/or recycling 55 gallon drums - Businesses either return empty drums to the chemical supplier or give them to a cooperage company who reconditions and sells them. (Keep in mind that these drums must meet the definition of "empty" as defined in section 160 of the Dangerous Waste Regula- * tions.) For more information on waste reduction techniques call Washington State's Waste Reduction Information Line toll-free at Information for this Fact Sheet was obtained in part from the Alaska Health Project Produced by: Washington State Department of Ecology Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling Mail Stop PV-11 Olympia, WA (206) Printed on recycled paper