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Closed Loop

Summer 2004

Articles

• DNR Makes Air Emissions Policy Change
• Strategic Goals Program
• IWRC Develops New Program to Help Salvage Yards
• DNR Urges Proper Handling of Secondary Containment Water
• Outdated Computers & Proper Disposal
• Iowa Waste Exchange News

DNR Makes Air Emissions Policy Change
By Kaylene Reilly
Iowa Waste Reduction Center

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has recently announced a policy change regarding emissions sources exhausted indoors. While the DNR has not previously required Iowa Air Quality construction permits for sources exhausted indoors, facilities that exhaust regulated pollutants that can be vented through a stack, vent, chimney, etc are required to obtain a permit or use one of the three exemptions recently created by the DNR.

This requirement to permit the equipment or cover it under an exemption is now required for most indoor venting equipment. The new exemptions that apply to this policy can be found in 567 Iowa Administrative Code 22.1. They apply to equipment that is used for nonproduction activities, vented indoors or is manually operated, and equipment that meets the definition of a small unit.

The DNR is allowing Iowa businesses 90 days starting June 1, 2004 to obtain permits or use an exemption to account for these sources, and will not pursue regulatory enforcement action during this period. If an owner or operator is uncertain about the permitting requirements for equipment at their facility, they should contact 1-877-AIR-IOWA for assistance.

The Iowa Air Emissions Assistance Program (IAEAP) at the Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) is also available to assist Iowa businesses in determining what equipment sources are impacted by this new policy change and completing the appropriate emissions applications. The IAEAP is designed to assist small businesses with air emission regulations and permitting requirements enforced by the Clean Air Act. IAEAP staff work with many industries such as dry cleaners, body shops, manufacturers, grain facilities and printers through the IWRC On-Site Review program to complete both federal and state air permit applications.

The IAEAP can assist your small business in meeting the requirements of this DNR policy change. As always, site-specific information and additional explanations are available. Please call 800-422-3109, or visit our website www.iwrc.org to set up an On-Site Review with an IAEAP specialist or to request information about any of the IWRC programs. All services of the IWRC are free, confidential and non-regulatory.

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Strategic Goals Program
By Kaylene Reilly
Iowa Waste Reduction Center

Iowa’s Strategic Goals Program (ISGP) is a voluntary program that encourages companies to go beyond environmental compliance. ISGP member companies are offered incentives, resources and a means for removing regulatory and policy barriers as they work to achieve specific environmental goals. ISGP brings the metal finishing industry together with state and local government regulators, working to improve environmental performance. As a result of this program, the metal finishing industry, as a whole, benefits by going beyond compliance.

Development of ISGP was a two-year effort by stakeholders from large and small metal finishers, the Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC), the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Through ISGP, businesses may have the opportunity to schedule a confidential assistance visit, discuss openly with city, state and federal agencies issues of concern to Iowa Metal Finishers and voice regulatory concerns. ISGP members also have greater access to compliance and waste reduction experts, more assistance in identifying and applying for low interest loans, and a possibility of low inspection priority. In some cases, businesses may have the privilege of a reduced monitoring status by POTW to Federal Minimum Levels. Participating in ISGP provides businesses with environmental benefits, including more efficient operations, reduced material consumption and operation costs and decreased energy usage, leading to greater profits!

After submitting a completed Statement of Commitment Form to the ISGP, a business will be contacted by an ISGP representative to schedule a free, non-regulatory assistance visit to identify waste reduction/resource conservation opportunities. Additional benefits for ISGP participants include advance notice of training opportunities, access to compliance and waste reduction experts and invitations to participate in ISGP workgroups.

Participants interested in receiving “higher level� benefits must complete and submit the Iowa Metal Finishing Strategic Goals Program Progress Worksheet. This worksheet is evaluated by the National Metal Finishers Resource Center (NMFRC), who calculates progress made toward ISGP goals and determines placement on a performance ladder. Information submitted to the NMFRC will be kept confidential, and most benefits will be provided upon receipt of data from the NMFRC.

If you are interested in saving money, operating your business more efficiently, reducing waste and improving environmental compliance, then ISGP is for you! With any questions or to receive the materials to participate in ISGP, a business need only contact ISGP at Pollution Prevention Services by calling 515-281-5353, or contact Sue Behrns at the Iowa Waste Reduction Center, 800-422-3109.

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IWRC Develops New Program to Help Salvage Yards
By Kaylene Reilly
Iowa Waste Reduction Center

Iowa salvage yards are required to develop and implement a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to prevent wastes and products that could contaminate storm water runoff from being exposed to rain. The term “storm water� refers to the result of rain or snow falling on a facility, picking up contaminants as it runs off and carrying these contaminants through drainage systems directly into streams, rivers and lakes. In 1987, Congress mandated that industrial sites obtain storm water permits, with the goal of reducing the amount of pollutants entering streams, lakes and rivers as a result of runoff from residential, commercial and industrial areas.

To be in compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit, facilities are required to prepare a SWPPP. These plans are often difficult to understand and create. To assist with this task, the Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC), a service of the University of Northern Iowa, has developed a computer program to develop SWPPPs for Iowa Auto Salvage Yards (SIC 5015). This program walks the client through the development of a SWPPP by asking questions about wastes that are contained at their facility and the handling and storage of materials within the facility.

The SWPPP computer program is broken down into several simple sections that must be answered truthfully by a knowledgeable employee; the responses are then compiled into a completed SWPPP. The entire program takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. The only other requirement for the NPDES Permit is to include a hand drawn site map, identifying where potential contamination may occur and showing the direction in which storm water runoff flows and leaves the property.

All salvage yards throughout the state of Iowa should expect to receive a SWPPP CD program in July or August of 2004. If you would like more information about this program, or would like to receive a copy of the SWPPP program, please contact Sue Schauls at the Iowa Waste Reduction Center by calling 800-422-3109. You may also visit the IWRC website for additional information at www.iwrc.org.

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DNR Urges Proper Handling of Secondary Containment water Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Recent heavy rains are causing stormwater to accumulate within secondary containment structures at cooperatives and agricultural chemical facilities across the state. The DNR is encouraging owners of these facilities to handle the high water levels appropriately.

Pumping water out of the containment basins, which are above-ground tanks that normally contain liquid fertilizer, is strongly discouraged, as it can create environmental hazards. The stormwater accumulated in the basins usually contains levels of ammonia and nitrates that can be toxic to fish, wildlife and crops if not properly land-applied.

"In the past, pumping secondary containment water over the side of basins has caused major fish kills in Iowa," said Kathy Lee, an environmental specialist with the DNR’s emergency response unit.

In 1998, more than 400,000 fish were killed in a 14.7-mile stream segment in northwest Iowa when nitrogen fertilizer from a secondary containment structure was pumped into a storm sewer. The kill ranked as one of the largest fish kills ever recorded in Iowa, with damages to aquatic life totaling over $55,000.

Two options for properly dealing with rising water levels include land-applying the excess water at agronomic rates, or using it as makeup water for fertilizer and pesticide solutions.

For more information, contact Kathy Lee at (515) 725-0384.

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Outdated Computers & Proper Disposal
By Jeff Beneke
Iowa Waste Reduction Center

Technology is constantly changing, and in order for businesses to keep up with the new, they must get rid of the old. Businesses must be particularly conscious of what happens to old computer equipment once it is discarded. Computers and computer equipment, along with their individual components, are sources of hazardous waste. This is because computers are made up of a number of potentially toxic materials, many of which are EPA-classified hazardous wastes.

Since used computers and other forms of office equipment may be considered hazardous wastes, businesses needing to dispose of these items may not be able to rely on their municipal sanitary landfill. A computer can be disposed of in a sanitary landfill only if a business has tested the piece of equipment or has thorough knowledge that it is not hazardous. It is the responsibility of the business to determine how to dispose of old computers and electronics. However, thorough knowledge of a computer’s non-hazardous nature is difficult.

A typical computer includes such hazardous materials as cadmium, lead, mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). For example, on average, the cathode ray tubes (CRTs) found in computer monitors can contain more than three pounds of elemental lead.

Fortunately, there are environmentally friendly ways to dispose of computers. For instance, computers can be demanufactured, a process that essentially breaks down the components of the computer so they can be reused or recycled. By contacting the company that manufactured the products initially, it is usually found that they can facilitate this process and give additional information to post-purchasers. In most cases, demanufacturing and recycling are the only acceptable outlets for outdated computers, unless they are disposed of as a hazardous waste in a manner consistent with the Environmental Protection Agency’s hazardous waste disposal guidelines.

Another outlet for computers and related equipment is the donation of electronics to non-profit organizations. Many times, computers that are too old or slow for a business to continue to use are perfectly suited for the less strenuous and exacting needs of local service or community groups. Usually, a donation of this kind can be a tax deduction for the donating institution.

In addition to computers, printer ink cartridges can also be recycled or reused. Most printer cartridge companies offer some kind of recycle-by-mail program for their products that is available either free or at a minimal charge to their customers. Otherwise, there are products on the market that allow for the refilling of printer cartridges.

In July, the Iowa Environmental Protection Commission is expected to approve new rules regulating electronic recyclers/demanufacturers. The purpose of Administrative rule “Chapter 576-122� is to implement rules for the recycling of discarded electronics and the disassembly and removal of toxic parts from electronics in a manner that is safer for human health and the environment.

If you have questions about demanufacturing your facility’s computers or related equipment, contact the Iowa Waste Reduction Center at (800) 422-3109, or search our vendor and electronics demanufacturer database at http://www.iwrc.org/newvendor/index.cfm. We can connect you with recyclers around the state that deal with and reuse the components of computers and office equipment. The IWRC is a service of the University of Northern Iowa, providing free, confidential and non-regulatory environmental assistance to small businesses.

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Iowa Waste Exchange News

IWE Shines Light on Iowa Businesses
By Shelly Codner
IWE Resource Specialist, Area C

In January 2004, Shelly Codner, IWE resource specialist for area C, was contacted by Holly Fokkena, Butler County Auditor. Fokkena had recently been awarded a bid to update the lighting system within the Butler County Courthouse in Allison, Iowa. After the new lighting system was installed, Fokkena was left with fifty useable fluorescent tubes. Because these lights had several hours of life remaining, Codner worked with IWE Specialist Sarah Smith, who began searching for a home for the bulbs.

On an unrelated site visit, Codner had met with staff members of Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa, and had mentioned the bulbs in conversation. Staff members later contacted Smith and stated they would be interested in obtaining the bulbs.

Both parties were extremely pleased with the match. “I would highly recommend the Iowa Waste Exchange’s invaluable service to all businesses within the state,� Fokkena stated. “Any program that lowers our bottom line, and in turn, saves our residents money is a great program! Both Sarah and Shelly should be commended on a job well done. Before I talked to them, I didn’t know the Iowa Waste Exchange existed; you can bet I will call upon them again for any future problem materials.�

Staff members of Ellsworth were equally impressed. “These bulbs saved us from having to buy new bulbs. With our budget being so tight, we are always looking to save wherever we can,� stated Nancy Slife, biology and conservation instructor.

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IWE matches save money
By Dennis Hayworth
IWE Resource Specialist, Area E

Innovative Pallet receives bulk bags in Gaylord boxes from a client company, and because they do not use the boxes for shipping of processed bulk bags, they began to accumulate in their plant. Instead of being a market outlet for bulk bags, this time Innovative Pallet is a generator of a business by-product, generating 140 standard size Gaylord boxes per quarter. Most of the boxes are in good condition, but when space is limited they must dispose of them.

Mike Bailey contacted Dennis Hayworth, the Iowa Waste Exchange Area Resource Specialist at DMACC for advice. Dennis explained the options for recycling the cardboard locally, but he felt the boxes would be of adequate quality for reuse. Dennis contacted companies in the database who might be interested in reusing Gaylord boxes, and found Bob Mestdagh with Plastic Recycling of Iowa Falls, who will use the Gaylord boxes for plastic storage in their operation. Resulting from the referral, both companies were able to benefit, freeing up plant space and avoiding disposal costs for Innovative Pallet, and saving Plastic Recycling the costs of purchasing new boxes.

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Odds & Ends
By Rick Meyers
IWE Resource Specialist, Area F (Linn County)

The Iowa Waste Exchange (IWE) most often helps companies recycle common materials such as paper, cardboard and plastics, and finds other businesses to reuse a company’s unwanted packaging and shipping items such as pallets and drums. However, the IWE is by no means limited to these common materials when it comes to the types of items for which businesses request assistance with finding a recycler or end user. The IWE is relied upon for assistance with a wide variety of items, ranging from chemicals to computers to rubber to wood to food by-products and more. Consider, for example, some recent exchanges facilitated by IWE specialist Rick Meyers for Linn County clients:

• 280 pounds of magnetic tapes sent to Superior Special Services for recycling
• 2,406 pounds of videotapes sent to GreenDisk for reuse or recycling
• A 55-gallon drum of a metalworking lubricant sold to an Iowa manufacturer through a non-profit thrift store called My Lucky Day
• 40 one-gallon containers of expired soybean oil to Livestock Services for incorporation into animal feed
• 25,000 pounds per year of unrepairable bulk bags matched to a recycling processor, City Carton Recycling, who will sell the plastic to overseas recycling markets.

Most of these exchanges involved no cost to the company disposing of the material, and in the case of the last example, the company achieved a considerable economic benefit. Bulk Bag Services had been landfilling more than 200 cubic yards of bulk bag scraps per year. By finding a recycling market for the material, Meyers helped Bulk Bag Services realize significant savings by significantly cutting back on its trash dumpster service.

The IWE helps companies conserve the Earth’s resources by facilitating exchanges of excess or scrap materials to avoid wasting them. IWE efforts often result in companies saving money through reduced disposal costs and gained floor space for those getting rid of the materials, and reduced purchasing costs for those receiving valuable materials. Some materials have readily available markets, while for others no markets exist, requiring some resourcefulness to find landfill alternatives. Whether common or peculiar, few items are too challenging for the Iowa Waste Exchange to take on.

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Finding A Needle in a Haystack
By Sarah Smith
IWE Resource Specialist, Area I

Throughout its 100 years of business, Powers Manufacturing has created athletic uniforms for sports teams all over the nation. The Waterloo fabric manufacturer takes great care in the production of its garments, and strives to remain environmentally minded.

Greg Becker, purchase manager for Powers Manufacturing, contacted Sarah Smith of the Iowa Waste Exchange with the hope of finding a company that may make use of 20 boxes of brand new sewing machine needles. A little research and several phone calls later, My Lucky Day Store in Fairfield, Iowa accepted the needles.

At approximately one and one-half pounds per box, the total weight in needles was a mere 30 pounds. Although the pounds diverted from the landfill were small, the successful match converted the waste item into a reusable material. 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.

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.

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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