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© Copyright 2007 Iowa Waste Reduction Center
A Service of Business and Community Services at the
University of Northern Iowa
Suite 113, BCS Building
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0185
phone: 319.273.8905
fax: 319.273.6582
The EnviroWire was created by the Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) to provide a collection of articles concerning environmental regulations and waste reduction and pollution prevention recommendations for public use. These articles will cover both federal and state environmental laws, explaining how they apply to small businesses and what services are available for their implementation through the IWRC. Every month, a new article will be posted to this website, concerning various regulations including air emissions, hazardous waste and recycling. By clicking on the article links, you may download them in Microsoft Word format to be used for newsletters, other web postings or various other publications, spreading environmental awareness to businesses throughout the state. If you have any problems downloading these articles, please contact the IWRC webmaster by choosing "Website" on our contact page. Please contact us by choosing "EnviroWire" on our contact page or by calling 319-273-8905 with any questions or comments about the EnviroWire.
Iowa Environmental Regulatory Workshops for the Construction & Demolition IndustryThe Iowa Department of Economic Development along with the Iowa Waste Reduction Center, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Small Business Compliance Alliance will be holding five workshops in March and April throughout the state to educate the construction industry and other related industries about requirements for asbestos, Brownfields, lead, radon, floodplains, open burning, contractor registration and safety and health.Pollution Prevention (P2) Impacts
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As awareness of pollution prevention (P2) expands in the business community, many owners are still hesitant to implement these practices. Hesitation could be caused by the fact that owners are unaware of the impact these practices have on their business environmentally and economically.Cleaning Up Environmental Regulations for Drycleaners
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In June 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency issued new rules that impact perchloroethylene (perc) drycleaners. While there are numerous changes for new or relocating drycleaners after December 20, 2006, most current small drycleaners believe the most significant change is monthly leak detection using a halogenated hydrocarbon (perc) detector.Free Energy with the RASER System
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Waters Hot, Inc., located in Orange City, Iowa, has developed an energy collection and reclamation system. The Reverse Ambient Solar Energy Reclamation (RASER) System is a combination of several existing technologies with radically new implementation and patent pending hardware.EPA Requirements for Cathode Ray Tubes
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Electronic devices such as televisions and computer monitors contain a video display component known as a cathode ray tube (CRT). Glass CRTs typically contain lead, which causes the electronic devices to be considered as an environmental hazard.Mercury Switch Removal
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Automakers began installing mercury switches in automobiles over 30 years ago. The mercury is now considered a hazardous waste and needs to be removed from vehicles that are being salvaged.Soy-based lubricants - A machinist's dream
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Traditional metal working fluids are safely used by hundreds of thousands of workers, yet problems can still develop when petroleum fluids are used or when fluids are not properly managed or maintained.LaserPaint
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Spray painting is not only a time consuming process but also includes excessive amounts of materials, costs and wastes. With this in mind, the Iowa Waste Reduction Center developed the LaserPaint".Fluorescent bulb management
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As the use of fluorescent bulbs continues to grow among businesses and industries, it becomes important to know the environmental regulations regarding proper disposal of the spent lighting bulbs.New Environmental Technologies for Small Business (NETSB)
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The New Environmental Technologies for Small Business (NETSB) project at the University of Northern Iowa helps Iowa small businesses with technical and financial assistance in implementing environmental technologies into their business operations.Workshops offered by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Pollution Prevention Services
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Pollution Prevention Services is hosting a workshop on how pollution prevention (P2) techniques and environmental management systems (EMS) can assist food processing facilities in improving both environmental compliance and their bottom line.Environmental advice for all Iowa businesses
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Environmental regulations are a fact of life that must and can be dealt with. These regulations were established to protect our health and environment. This challenge is best met through a basic understanding of what environmental regulations exist, a determination of whether they apply to a specific business or situation, and how compliance can best be obtained and/or maintained.NETSB Explores Lead Free Solder
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Electronic devices make up a large percentage of the hazardous lead waste that is landfilled. As a result the electronic assemble community is beginning to investigate the option of lead free soldering for its industry.Sump Sludge: Caution May Be Hazardous
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Shop floor drains and wash bays frequently have a sump to trap debris from being flushed down the drain with the wastewater. The wastewater discharged to the floor drain carries with it grease and grime from the cleaning process. Over time, sump sludge accumulates and requires removal and disposal.Contaminated Antifreeze
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Used antifreeze may become hazardous due to the presence of any one of the heavy metals or volatile organic compounds. Only a testing protocol called the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) can be used to make the determination.Managing oil absorbent waste
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Most automotive dealerships generate used oil absorbent on a regular basis. Oil absorbents include products such as clay granules commonly referred to by the brand name floor dry and oil absorbent pads, socks or mats.Mercury thermostat recycling
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Whether a current mercury thermostat is no longer being used or is being replaced due to renovations or malfunction, consider providing customers the option of recycling through the Thermostat Recycling Corporation when it comes time for disposal.Empty Container Disposal
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Empty containers with residue of its product may be hazardous waste unless they meet the definition of "empty." While at first thought the product may not seem to pose a hazardous threat, once the product and its container are no longer used, the probability of chemical release increases.Hazardous waste classification
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In Iowa, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the management of hazardous waste. A facility must determine whether its waste is hazardous or non-hazardous to make an accurate waste disposal decision. Hazardous waste must either be a listed hazardous waste, or it must exhibit a hazardous characteristic, then called a characteristic hazardous waste.The best kept secret of www.iwrc.org
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When it comes to your environmental issues, you just want to know what must be done and who can help you do it. By visiting www.iwrc.org/tools/tools.cfm or selecting the Small Business Tools from the IWRC home page, small business owners can take advantage of two helpful resources.Used Oil Management
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Contamination by hazardous toxic metals and additives found in used engine oil is a frequent threat to Iowa's water supply. It takes only one pint of used oil to form a football field sized slick on a lake or holding pond.Fluorescent bulbs considered universal waste
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Fluorescent light bulbs are common business waste products that are potentially hazardous due to the presence of mercury. Because of their extensive use by businesses, fluorescent bulbs were added to the less stringent Universal Waste Rule in 2000 to facilitate recycling opportunities.New Collection and Recycling Permits
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The Environmental Protection Commission recently adopted new permit rules for Cathode Ray Tube Device Recycling under Iowa Administrative Code to insure that the discarded CRTs are recycled in a manner that is safe for human health and the environment.IWE: Working Toward a Closed Loop
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The IWE is a recycling cooperative with a goal to divert recyclable byproducts from landfills to other industries within the state for reuse. Ten regional representatives across the state provide Iowa industries with smart waste management alternatives and business assistance services.Golf courses provided with valuable environmental assistance
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Even though golf courses are usually not thought of as a major pollution producing industry, there are several environmental issues they need to keep in mind. Following environmental regulations can help avoid penalties and fines, while keeping a good public image.IWRC: An Answer to Small Business Worries
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Understanding environmental regulations can be a challenge for small businesses. The Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) at the University of Northern Iowa was created to help Iowa small businesses understand waste management at no charge to the business.Environmental advice for all Iowa businesses
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While few of us relish the idea of complying with the multitude of environmental regulations that may affect our business, it is important to understand what regulations exist and how they apply to your business.
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© Copyright 2007 Iowa Waste Reduction Center
A Service of Business and Community Services at the
University of Northern Iowa
Suite 113, BCS Building
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0185
phone: 319.273.8905
fax: 319.273.6582