Waste minimization programs

Sludge or solid waste is unavoidably produced in the treatment of water containing suspended solids. There are, however different technologies that we can select among that will indeed concentrate these solids, and thereby reduce the volumes that we ultimately must dispose of. In addition, some sludge can be stabilized and treated, which can impart a low, but none-the-less marketable value to this waste. These technologies and practices do indeed constitute pollution prevention and waste minimization programs within water treatment plant operations, and they can... 

Virginia WMP, Fact Sheet, Waste Minimization Program on Source Reduction Techniques for Local Governments, Virginia Waste Minimization Program, Richmond, VA, available at http //www.p2pays. org/ref/ll/10314.htm, 2007. 

A pollution prevention or waste minimization program usually consists of the following [79] ... 

For a waste minimization program to succeed, refinery managers must provide the necessary staff and other resources to accomplish their goals. A team committed to the tasks is usually assembled. Because a refinery is a complex facility and there are numerous emission sources and waste streams to take into account, the team should consider and give the highest priority to ... 

Requires annual certification by hazardous waste generators who operate onsite TSD facilities that they have a waste minimization program in operation. Further, they must certify that the treatment, storage, or disposal methods minimize threats to human health and environment. 

NRC (1994a). U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Guidance to hazardous, radioactive and mixed waste generators on the elements of a waste minimization program, Information Notice No. 94-23 (U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Rockville, Maryland). 

Generate useful technical information about methodologies and technologies for reducing pollution, which could help the U.S. EPA assist other companies implementing pollution prevention/waste minimization programs. 

The next paragraphs discuss the inadequacy of end-of-pipe pollution control approaches, waste management hierarchy, incentives gained from adopting waste minimization practices, barriers to effective waste minimization, and applications of waste minimization programs in drilling operations. The following is a summary. 

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. 

After considering all pros and cons of the waste minimization program, the option should be qualified to be implemented. After implementation of the proposed option, the process should be monitored carefully and evaluated on a regular basis to determine its efficiency. Otherwise, modification is required to make it beneficial [10]. A successful waste minimization assessment approach has the following stages (Fig. 3.5). 

This should be a goal of waste-minimization programs. At times, equipment is cleaned routinely, with little or no consideration of the reasons for it. In one case, a ball mill was used periodically to wet-grind a mixture of inorganic powders. The ball mill had corrosion-proof internals and was totally dedicated to one formulation. Yet, the ball mill was cleaned after each use the reason other, nondedicated, ball mills at the facility were cleaned after every use. 

Once a waste-minimization program is set to be undertaken, the physical work starts with a series of detailed surveys of ongoing activities inside the industry, starting from raw material entering the premises to finished products and byproducts (including wastes). These audits can be termed as waste audits or waste-minimization audits. The principal intent of such audits is to critically assess various inputs, processes and outputs to find methods and practices for... 

Table 1 Audit of Target Processes as per Objectives of Waste-minimization Program...

In this phase, several possible waste-reduction measures are identified that can be proceeded to the analysis phase. Different waste-minimization programs may require varying degrees of effort, time, and financial resources ... 

Determine -what criteria -would be considered in evaluation of the options. The higher the degree of improvements achieve in the given criteria, the better is the result. For example, in a typical waste minimization program, such criteria can be ... 

ETAD has also launched a waste minimization program at production facilities [S] and has provided advice for reduction of environmental releases from customer dyehouses [6]. Waste reduction parallels the worker exposure approach as an effective means of reducing possible risk levels. 

Ciassification Quaternary ammonium salt Uses Flocculant or coagulant for effluent treatment, waste minimization programs for water-based paints, adhesives, or other aq. systems swimming pool algicide biocide for cooling towers... 

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