Pollution Prevention for Light Industry and the Service Industry

1. Pollution Prevention for Light Industry and the Service Industry P2 Ideas for Urban Environments

2. 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

3. What types of chemical reductions are a focus for NPEP? • Mercury • Fluorescent Light Fixtures • Thermometers • Switches/thermostats • Lead • Paint • Weights • PCB’s • Transformers

4. Focus on “Light” Industry“Service” Industry • Auto Body Shops • Dry Cleaners • Property Management • Schools/Universities • Hospitals

5. 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

6. 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

7. AUTO BODY SHOPSProcess 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

8. AUTO BODY SHOPSProcess 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT • Fluorescent Bulbs • Lead Paint • Landscaping • Pest Management

12. 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

13. 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

14. Schools and Universities • Mercury Thermometers • Laboratory Chemicals • Renovation Materials • Maintenance Materials

15. Hospitals • Mercury • Thermometers • Dental Amalgams • Instrumentation • Laboratories