Waste minimization economic benefits

Despite the many benefits, systematic waste minimization in industry is only occasionally undertaken because of several issues perceived to hinder the successful implementation of a waste minimization program. Although reducing waste quantities brings down waste compliance costs and increases production revenue, the initial cost of implementing a waste minimization program is a significant economic deterrent. 

EPA (1987) Waste minimization environmental quality with economic benefit. Washington, DC... 

Waste Minimization Environmental Quality with Economic Benefits U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1990, EPA/530/SW-87/026, GEN-14 (PPiC). 

The economics of waste minimization efforts are directly related to the costs of wastewater treatment and waste disposal. As treatment and disposal costs rise, there is added benefit to reducing the volume and toxicity of waste requiring treatment and disposal. Environmental regulations, especially those of RCRA and CWA (Clean Water Act) have had a major effect on treatment and disposal costs. ... 

A number of waste minimization efforts have been documented by EPA s Office of Solid Waste. This section presents brief descriptions of 12 cases of waste minimization initiatives taken verbatim from EPA/530-SW-87-026. For additional information readers are referred to that publication, entitled Waste Minimization, Environmental Quality with Economic Benefits. ... 

Waste arising from limited feedstock conversion can be minimized in the overall process by recycling unreacted feedstock from the reactor effluent back to the reactor feed. Benefits of such recycling include reduced raw material consumption and reduced waste disposal or emissions. The burdens of recycling such streams include the need for separation of feedstock from reaction products and any necessary compression or pumping of recycled streams. These benefits and burdens have both economic and environmental consequences, which must be identified and evaluated. 

---