Main Menu

Closed Loop

Spring 2003


Articles

  • Program to Enhance Environmental Recordkeeping Available Online
  • Tier II Reporting Accessible on the Web
  • Process Training Offered Every Month
  • News Briefs
  • Save the Date-Tech Days
  • Iowa Waste Exchange News

Program to Enhance Environmental Recordkeeping Available Online
By Kristi Petersen and Chris Horan
Iowa Waste Reduction Center

During the last five years, Internet growth has made web-based software more cost effective than older methods in the delivery of information to interested parties (such as technical service providers and small businesses). Recognizing this trend, the IWRC, in addition to creating a stand alone computer program, has devised a web-based version of Program to Enhance Environmental Recordkeeping (PEER) to further adapt to the changing communication environment.

PEER, constructed to help simplify and improve small business’ recordkeeping practices, has two main waste inventory components: waste and air emissions. With PEER online, the waste inventory component asks a company to input its quantities of wastes generated, storage amounts and times, and disposal methods for all of their hazardous, non-hazardous, and uncharacterized waste streams. The resulting waste inventory report provides the company with an overview of its hazardous waste generator status. Additional reports from the waste inventory data include Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan needs, wastewater, and emergency response posting. The air emissions component aids the company in maintaining its recordkeeping for possible air permit(s) purposes.

The new web-based PEER is located at www.iwrc.org/newpeer. This website has been piloted and reviewed by IWRC staff, and is ready for use by technical service providers and small businesses. The biggest advantage to a web-based product is the speed of delivery and modification. While PEER is currently ready for use, modifications and improvements will be made in the future to maintain and increase PEER's applicability.

In addition, a PEER User Guide is currently being designed as an instructional aid and will be available soon. For more information on PEER or the PEER User Guide, please contact Kristi Petersen or Chris Horan of the IWRC at 1-800-422-3109.

Back to top

Tier II Reporting Accessible on the WEB

The March 1 deadline for State Reporting of Tier II chemicals to the Iowa Emergency Response Center, Local Emergency Response Center, and local fire department has passed, but the information and forms are easily accessible from the Iowa Workforce Development at www.iowaworkforce.org/labor/serc.htm.

The forms, directions, resources such as lists of chemicals or LEPC contacts, and links to electronically submit your facility's information are available at this website as well as frequently asked questions.

Back to top

Process Training Offered Every Month

Each month the IWRC's Process Training program offers a free 2 1/2-day, "hands-on" training course covering a variety of painting and coating processes. As indicated in the course agenda (see information box), topics addressed range from pretreatment to liquid application to powder coating. If interested in attending, please contact Brian Gedlinske or John Whiting at (800) 422-3109 for training dates. For convenience, businesses are also welcome to send representatives to select portions of the training program.

Back to top

News Briefs

EPA TRI Workshop
By Lisa Hurban
IWRC Waste Reduction Specialist

The US EPA will be hosting a Compliance Assistance Workshop on May 1, 2003 regarding Toxic Release Inventory Form R. The one-day workshop will be held from 8 to 4:30 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel in Cedar Rapids, IA. Reservations are necessary and a minimal fee will be charged.

This workshop will help businesses understand and accurately complete the Toxic Release Reporting required annually on July 1 for subject industries. Section 313 of the Emergency Preparedness and Cleanup Responsibility Act requires specific businesses that use toxic chemicals above reporting thresholds and employ more than ten full-time employees (or the equivalent) to file an inventory form and identify pollution prevention measures to reduce the amount of the toxic chemicals released.

Please call (913) 551-7680 or (866) 844-4460 or visit www.mckinzieconstruction.com to register. Contact Lisa Hurban at the IWRC at (800) 422-3109 if you wish to know more about TRI reporting. If you have questions about the TRI workshops, please call Steve Wurtz, EPA Region 7, at (913) 551-7315.

Back to top

Recent Awards

This winter, the Department of Toxic Substances Control recognized the IWRC for its exemplary work in promoting pollution prevention. Specifically, Rick Klein, a senior Research Technician at the IWRC, was commended for his key role in spray technique analysis and research for automotive refinishing spray technicians. This "National Prevention Week 2002 Award" was given to the IWRC in appreciation of the Center and Rick's efforts.

The American Technical Education Association has named Raleigh Downey, instructor of Auto Collision Repair Technology at Western Tech Community College in Iowa, as the 2002 Northern Plains Region Outstanding Technical Teacher. Recognized for his outstanding achievement as an innovator, Raleigh worked with the IWRC on an experimental project that utilized a brand-new laser spray-painting technology. As a result, students enrolled in Raleigh’s program have been exposed to some of the most advanced technology in the auto spray-painting industry.

Back to top

New Dry Cleaner Manual Coming Soon
By Kristen Smart
Waste Reduction Research Assistant

The Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC), at the University of Northern Iowa, is updating their dry cleaning manual for distribution to all dry cleaning facilities in Iowa. In 1996, Dry Cleaning in the 90's, was published by the IWRC and distributed to interested dry cleaning businesses in Iowa. The Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) has partnered with the IWRC in developing an updated, revised and user-friendly version of this manual.

During the revising stage, all applicable hazardous waste and air emissions regulations will be inserted pertaining to perchloroethylene users (commonly known as perc), petroleum users, and environmentally free, GreenEarth users. In addition, a 24-month compliance calendar will be included in the manual. This easy to use calendar will allow a facility to calculate perc purchases, record the condenser temperature log, and will provide a checklist for monthly inspections. Dry cleaning facilities will be able to utilize this calendar for compliance with EPA and IDNR requirements for two years.

Once the manual is complete, it will be distributed to all Iowa dry cleaning facilities, free of charge. Dry cleaning facilities can look for the manual during the Fall 2003.

Back to top

Save the Date-TechDays
Sponsored by Parker Ionics, Dove Equipment, Co., and the IWRC’s Process Training Program

A Tech Days event, featuring powder coating equipment manufactured by Parker Ionics, will be held on May 7th and 8th at the IWRC's Painting & Coating Process Training facility. The two-day event is an opportunity for businesses to visit with industry experts, attend powder coating technical presentations, and review the latest powder coating equipment offered by Parker Ionics. Whether you are presently powder coating or thinking about starting a powder coating operation (metal or wood substrates), this event is sure to provide technical information beneficial to your process. For more details, contact Brian Gedlinske or John Whiting of the IWRC at 800-422-3109.

Back to top

Iowa Waste Exchange News

Reuse Rocks West Des Moines
By Dennis Hayworth
IWE Resource Specialist, Area E

Dennis Hayworth
Dennis Hayworth

Jessie Currie from the Delavan Inc. in West Des Moines was updating the company's computer equipment. During this process, Delavan, Inc. had accumulated 75 computers and monitors in storage that the company did not want to landfill. While searching for an outlet, Metro Waste Authority referred them to the Iowa Waste Exchange at DMACC Business Resources. Dennis Hayworth, the area resource specialist, did an on-site assessment of the computer equipment.

While discussing the options for reuse, Dennis suggested the company do an internal posting of available computers. He also suggested Central Iowa Computer User Group or R.O.C.K. (Recycle Old Computers Kindly), a non-profit group that recycles old computers to other non-profit groups, might be interested in the equipment. By using both methods, Delavan was able to save $200 in hauling and disposal costs while freeing up much needed storage space, and was able to get the computers into a reuse opportunity.

Back to top

Quick Thinking Creates Match
By Bill Pendgraft
IWE Resource Specialist, Area H

Bill Pendgraft
Bill Pendgraft

Recently, Michelle Roberts, Shipping and Receiving Manager of Fresco Systems USA in Red Oak, Iowa, called Bill Pendgraft, the IWE Area Resource Specialist for southwest Iowa to discuss the waste audit that Bill had performed at the company site in July. While reviewing the file for Fresco Systems, Bill remembered two recent calls from firms that were looking for products.

One firm was MX Pallets of Shelby, Iowa and the other was Rainbow Services of Ottumwa, Iowa. MX Pallets, a re-builder of wood pallets, could utilize the 41,600 lbs. per year of a special design pallet that Michelle had been disposing of. Bill contacted Jeff Long, owner of MX Pallets, who was willing to accept all of Michelle's wood pallets. Bill then called Rainbow Services concerning steel drums that Michelle also had, and was able to match about 14,400 lbs. per year between the two companies. Thus, in a matter of a few days, three firms were happy with the outcome and we were able to keep nearly 56,000 lbs. of material from entering the landfill.

Back to top

From Wood Waste to Valuable Compost
By Rick Meyers
IWE Resource Specialist, Area F

Rick Meyers
Rick Meyers

In August, Rick Meyers of the Iowa Waste Exchange, spoke with Ron Wickman, Production Manager of Lebeda Mattress Factory in Marion, Iowa, about the company's wood waste. Lebeda manufactures mattresses and sells them out of their adjoining retail stores. The mattress manufacturing process results in the generation of some scrap wood, consisting mostly of pine. Lebeda also accumulates broken pallets and other wood waste. Upon inquiry, it was determined that pallet recyclers were not interested in any of the materials. Meyers suggested that Lebeda could divert all of its wood waste from the landfill by contracting with a waste hauler for a separate roll-off container to be designated solely for compost material. It could then be taken to the Bluestem Solid Waste Agency compost site for a $15 per ton tipping fee instead of the $35 per ton charged at the landfill.

Wickman took the idea and ran with it, contracting with Absolute Disposal for a 20-cubic yard container for all of Lebeda's wood waste. Lebeda has since averaged one pickup per month, thus diverting 20-cubic yards of wood each month from the landfill to the compost site. This diversion equates to 36 tons of wood waste per year turned into a valuable compost product and an annual saving to the company of $720 in avoided disposal costs. Lebeda is thrilled that the Iowa Waste Exchange could solve its wood waste problem.

Back to top

IWE Welcomes Sarah Smith
By Iowa Waste Reduction Center

Sarah Smith
Sarah Smith

The Iowa Waste Exchange (IWE) would like to welcome Sarah Smith as the new IWE Area Resource Specialist for the Waterloo area. Sarah joins other IWE Area Resource Specialists in providing Iowa business and industry with waste management alternatives and assistance that results in both economic and environmental benefits.

Sarah earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from University of Northern Iowa, and her Master of Arts in urban and regional planning, with an emphasis in environmental planning, from University of Iowa. For the past year, she has worked for the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization in Urbandale, Iowa. Sarah looks forward to working with everyone within the organization and assisting businesses to find landfilling alternatives.

Sarah will be responsible for six counties (Area I) including Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Chickasaw and Grundy counties out of the Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments (INRCOG) office. Feel free to contact Sarah at (319) 235-0311.

Back to top

Partnership Saves Companies Over $238,000
By Jim Reimer
IWE Resource Specialist, Area G

Jim Reimer
Jim Reimer

The recycling, reuse and reduction partnership between the Eddyville Industrial Complex located on the Des Moines River at Eddyville, Iowa and the Iowa Waste Exchange is over ten years old. The combined effort of the neighboring businesses has resulted in at least 14 different waste streams being diverted from Iowa landfills.

Through the efforts of Gary Dill, the first Iowa Waste Exchange Area Resource Specialist located at Indian Hills Community College, and his successor Jim Reimer, Eddyville businesses have placed over 454,870,000 pounds of various by-products and waste items with other companies. Since 1992, 34,000 pounds of chemicals, 51,360 pounds of drums, 36,000 pounds of paper, 20,000 pounds of wood, 9,528,000 pounds of filter aid and 445,200,000 pounds of organic waste have been diverted from the landfill. This diversion represents three Eddyville Industrial Complex companies savings of over $738,000.00 in avoided disposal costs and related savings. Additional savings were reaped by new company start-ups that avoided purchase costs of virgin materials and instead made use of available by-products as raw materials.

The partnership between the Iowa Waste Exchange and representatives from several Eddyville Industrial Complex companies continually strives to improve our environment and reduce operating costs.

Back to top

The Iowa Waste Exchange is a cooperative effort of Recycle Iowa/ Iowa Department of Economic Development, the Iowa Waste Reduction Center, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Community Colleges, Local Councils of Government and Iowa Solid Waste Agencies. The Exchange will not determine what may constitute a hazardous substance or create a hazardous situation. The Exchange will not make judgements with respect to any legal requirements, particularly for the storage, transportation, treatment or disposal of what may be defined as hazardous substances. For information about hazardous waste reduction and/or proper disposal, call the Department of Natural Resources Energy and Waste Management Bureau at (800) 367-1025 or the IWRC at (800) 422-3109.

Back to top



© 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