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Closed Loop

Summer 2005

Articles

• Antifreeze, Sump Sludge, Floor Dry Waste: Potential Hazards to be Managed
• DEIMCO Saves Businesses More Than Just A Dime
• Manufacturing A Better Environment
• Fall Weather Brings A Burning Threat
• EPA Reclassifies Mercury-Containing Devices to Spur Recycling
• Timesaving Recordkeeping for Paint Operations
• Iowa Waste Exchange News

Antifreeze, Sump Sludge, Floor Dry Wastes: Potential Hazards to be Managed
By Joni Lindauer
Iowa Waste Reduction Center

Antifreeze, sump sludge and oil absorbent are waste materials that have the potential to be hazardous to humans and the environment if they are not properly managed. Antifreeze may become a hazardous waste due to contaminants picked up while circulating through the vehicle’s engine. Sump sludge has the potential to be a hazardous waste due to toxins from spilled products such as used motor oil, fuel, solvent or other automotive fluids. When mixed together in the drain pit, those same fluids pose a threat by adding contaminants to oil absorbent.

Managing potentially hazardous waste
Used antifreeze should never be dumped on the ground or discharged to a storm sewer or septic system because of the toxicity of the contaminants that may be present. Improper disposal of used antifreeze may result in soil, groundwater or surface water contamination. This can also lead to expensive regulatory fines and cleanup costs.

Typically, a facility will generate sump sludge from the cleaning of floor drain pits. The wastewater discharged to the floor drain carries with it grease and grime. The sump sludge that accumulates has the potential to be a hazardous waste due to the presence of toxins from spilled automotive fluids

Oil absorbents include products such as clay granules, commonly referred to by the brand name “floor dry”, and oil absorbent pads, socks or mats. Most floor dry style oil absorbents are disposable. Disposal of oily waste, such as used floor dry, is regulated due to its potential to be a hazardous waste.

Hazardous waste management standards
Since each of these wastes has the potential to be hazardous, a representative sample of each (antifreeze, sump sludge and floor dry) should be collected and submitted to an analytical laboratory for testing. The testing protocol is the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) analysis. Federal hazardous waste management standards require that a hazardous/non-hazardous waste determination using the TCLP be made for any waste with the potential to be hazardous.

Wastes need to be tested only for the toxins likely to be present. Minimal testing parameters for each waste include the eight heavy metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The TCLP test needs to be conducted only one time at a facility to make the hazardous waste determination, unless changes in the type of work or waste generated occur. Once the determination is made, the waste disposal options can be identified. Contact the Iowa Waste Reduction Center at 1-800-422-3109 for a list of the test parameters and a list of the analytical laboratories able to perform the TCLP analysis. The lab will provide sampling containers and shipping material when contacted.

If the lab test results indicate concentration levels of any test parameter to be equal to or greater than regulatory levels, then that waste must be managed as a hazardous waste, now and in the future. All hazardous waste must be stored in a sealed, labeled container and disposed of by an EPA-permitted hazardous waste management company (a list can be obtained through the IWRC). The hazardous waste must also be included in the facility’s hazardous waste inventory and managed on-site in compliance with the applicable generator regulations.

Should the test results show concentrations less than the regulatory limit for all parameters, the waste is non-hazardous and can be managed accordingly. Non-hazardous, used antifreeze discharged to sewers with permission from local wastewater authorities can be sold, recycled or disposed of as a non-hazardous waste through a waste management company. Any septic/sump sludge hauler can dispose of non-hazardous sump sludge. Non-hazardous. Used floor dry may be disposed of in the landfill, provided it contains no free liquids and a Special Waste Authorization is obtained from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulates non-hazardous solid waste disposal. Contact the IWRC with any questions or for more information about making a waste determination for any waste generated. The IWRC may be reached at 319-273-8905 or visit us on the web at www.iwrc.org.

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DEIMCO saves businesses more than just a dime
By Joni Lindauer
Iowa Waste Reduction Center

Promising the fastest quotes and shortest delivery times in the finishing industry, it is no surprise that Deimco Finishing Equipment remains at the top of their game. Since opening their doors in 1983, Deimco (with a new office located in Tama, Iowa) has made it their personal quest to become the first choice supplier of engineered finishing solutions and equipment. The company builds a wide variety of equipment for the wood, metal finishing and plastic industry.

Recognizing the need for tailored engineering systems has helped Deimco become a staple designer and manufacturer. It is their capability to meet specific requirements set forth by their clients that makes them so unique. Better yet is their ability to serve the industry in such an individualized manner while maintaining affordable prices for their products.

One of the main specialties of Deimco is their powder booth paint systems. These powder booths allow small manufacturers to make the switch from liquid paint lines to powder coat lines and reap the benefits that come with the switch. Powder coating provides consumers, businesses and the industry with one of the most economical, long lasting and color-durable finishes available.

Powder coating is considered to be very friendly to the environment as well. Compared to liquid finishing systems, powder coating contains no solvents and releases only a slight amount (if any) of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere. Also, most powder coating overspray can be retrieved and reused, thus eliminating the waste that is common in liquid finishing processes. Finally, powder coating has proven to be very cost effective. The elimination of VOCs into the atmosphere and reduction of paint wasted from overspray saves its users money and helps companies comply with U.S. EPA regulations. From an economic standpoint, Deimco powder booths also eliminate the need for heated air replacement units as the air can be recycled back into the plant for reuse.

In the wood finishing industry, Deimco has become the pioneer in state-of-the-art lineal finishing lines. Working with an innovative oven design has enabled Deimco to create a product that produces results never thought possible. Before Deimco, the curing mill-treatment process on pine took days. With Deimco equipment, the process took minutes, allowing the manufacturer to apply water-based primer in line. Stacking of water-based sealers often requires parts to dry on racks and each piece to be double handled. After Deimco hit the scene, the stacking of water based sealers took minutes. Lastly, before Deimco’s development of a lineal finishing system, there were no turn-key systems available that could completely finish water based coatings on substrates (from staining to packaging) in line. Through innovations at Deimco, the entire process that once took days to complete could now be finished in 16 minutes!

The coating and wood finishing industries are just a few of the many that benefit from the services Deimco has to offer. This is mainly because of Deimco’s willingness to customize and tackle problems that no one else will handle. From bowling pins to silicone breast implants, Deimco applies powder, paint, glue and other coatings to a wide variety of surfaces.

Adding to the many great services they provide to small businesses, Deimco also builds all of their own UL-labeled panels and writes all of their own programming, which is extremely uncommon in their industry. Merging this advantage with their knowledge, Deimco is able to pre-assemble, test and optimize every piece of equipment built on their own floor, prior to shipment. This allows them to understand and meet specifications to the best of their ability while building peace of mind for their client.

For more information on Deimco and their products, contact Kirk Shirar, general manager, or Marv Cooley, sales manager, at (641) 484-8806 or visit www.deimco.com.

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Manufacturing A Better Environment

When it comes to business operations, there are a variety of components that each business has to take into account in order to remain competitive. Whether it is proper training or safety and environmental concerns, there are resources in Iowa to help keep businesses up-to-date and compliant. One such option is a workshop called Manufacturing a Better Environment, which is set for September 22, 2005 from 9:00-11:45am in Ankeny, Iowa.

This workshop, sponsored by the Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC), Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), Small Business Compliance Alliance and the U.S. Small Business Administration, is targeted at Iowa’s manufacturing industries. Representatives from DMACC and the IWRC will be giving presentations and answering questions concerning solid waste, hazardous waste, air and safety.

To gain your competitive edge on this market, register to attend this workshop today! Registration fees are $10 per person and the deadline for registration or cancellation is September 19, 2005. The workshop will be held at DMACC Business Resources Center, 2006 South Ankeny Blvd., Building #18, Room 1. Please call DMACC at 515-964-6464 to complete your registration. For further information regarding the content of this workshop, please contact the Iowa Waste Reduction Center at 319-273-8905.

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Fall Weather Brings a Burning Threat
By Joni Lindauer
Iowa Waste Reduction Center

Fall weather brings many things to the state of Iowa. Among those are cool days, falling leaves and colorful scenery. With the beautiful fall weather also comes a tradition that is outdated, unhealthy and illegal in many communities. That tradition is the practice of open burning – the burning of materials and waste (garbage, leaves, etc.) on residentially owned property. Despite alternative practices to open or backyard burning, many Iowans continue this bad habit.

While open burning may seem like the most economical way to get rid of unwanted materials and waste, this quick fix can wreak havoc on our environment and personal health. In 1975, Iowans faced one of their biggest health concerns ever when hospital admissions for respiratory conditions were connected to air quality violations caused by leaf-burning. As a result, a leaf-burning ban was established in Des Moines and other surrounding communities.

What makes this practice so hazardous is that the pollutants from open burning are emitted directly into the atmosphere without being treated or filtered. Smoke resulting from such burning contains air pollution levels much greater than automobiles and industry combined. Carbon monoxide and other chemicals work together to produce the visible smoke containing tiny particles that penetrate and imbed themselves in the deepest portions of our lungs. When inhaled over time, this particulate matter decreases lung capacity, constricts the airways and can lead to serious respiratory ailments.

Detrimental and hazardous effects to the environment and public health are the primary reasons open burning is not recommended and in most cases prohibited by state law. For example, under no circumstance can tires be openly burned in Iowa. However, there are several rule exemptions where open burning is generally allowed. These exemptions include: trees and trimmings, landscape waste, residential waste, disaster rubbish, training fires, paper or plastic pesticide containers and seed corn bags and agricultural structures. Each of these exemptions has their own specific guidelines as to how they can be burned. Also, not all Iowa communities accept these exemptions as local ordinances have placed further restrictions. In any case, it is always best to check with local government authorities.

In efforts to eliminate this practice, there are several alternatives to open burning. When possible, recycling the materials or waste is always the preferred solution. Additionally, composting your waste is a simple, cost effective alternative to open burning that is also a great additive to lawns and gardens. Other alternatives that are safe, healthy and save money include mulching, chipping and municipal recycling/disposal.

The Iowa Waste Exchange (IWE) was developed from branching efforts of the Iowa Waste Reduction Center, Recycle Iowa, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Community Colleges, Local Council of Governments and Iowa Solid Waste Agencies. The IWE’s primary goal is to reduce waste and reroute materials away from landfills by concentrating on material reuse and recycling.

For more information regarding open burning or any other environmental issue, please call the Iowa Waste Reduction Center at 800-422-3109, or visit our website www.iwrc.org. All services of the IWRC are free and confidential.

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EPA Reclassifies Mercury-Containing Devices to Spur Recycling

Federal environmental regulators have added mercury-containing equipment to the universal waste rule, saying it will encourage recycling and reuse.

The change will make it easier for generators to recycle mercury products. It reduces recordkeeping, storage and transportation requirements that have served as barriers to recycling, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Stringent federal hazardous waste management requirements for final disposal or recycling remain unchanged, according to the agency.

Mercury-containing devices that are included to encourage recycling are thermostats, barometers, temperature and pressure gauges and mercury light switches which are from automobiles.

The EPA finalized the rule change July 27. The agency has posted additional information online at www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/recycle/electron/crt.htm For information on proper disposal, please contact the Iowa Waste Reduction Center at 319-273-8905.

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Timesaving Recordkeeping for Paint Operations
By Kaylene Reilly
Iowa Waste Reduction Center

Many air quality permits require consistent and accurate records to be kept of emissions emitted from various sources. These recordkeeping practices can be difficult to calculate and are sometimes easy to let slip out-of-date. To help stay current with these requirements, businesses can call on the resources at the Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC), such as the paint emission recordkeeping worksheets.

To be available soon on the IWRC website, the Iowa Air Emissions Assistance Program (IAEAP) has created two worksheets to provide a simple method for facilities with a painting permit to record and calculate how much product they spray and the emissions it creates during a 12 month rolling period. In accordance with compliance regulations, these worksheets calculate how many gallons of paint are used per month and the emissions expelled with the use of the paint.

These worksheets will provide a very efficient way for paint operations to monitor and account for the paint they use as well as the emissions they vent in accordance with their permit specifications. At the request of the DNR, a business could simply present this document to show compliance.

These worksheets are expected to be available for download at the IWRC website at www.iwrc.org or through request of a disk from the IWRC sometime this fall. If you have any questions about whether or not these recordkeeping requirements apply to your business or how these worksheets could benefit you, please contact the IWRC at 800-422-3109.

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Iowa Waste Exchange News
IWE Welcomes Tim Rollinger

The Iowa Waste Exchange (IWE) would like to welcome Tim Rollinger as the new IWE Area Resource Specialist for the Sioux City area.
Tim has a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology from Iowa State University. Previously, he has worked at MidAmerican Energy for 26 years - the last 16 with the Environmental Services Department.

In 2001, Tim went to work at Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC) under an EPA Brownfield Educational Grant. He currently is an adjunct instructor for HAZWOPER and an asbestos worker at WITCC.

Tim will reside out of the WITCC office in Sioux City and join other IWE Area Resource Specialists in providing Iowa business and industry with waste management alternatives and assistance resulting in both economical and environmental benefits.

Nine counties (Area A), including: Cherokee, Ida, Lyon, Monona, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux, and Woodbury will be under Tim’s direction. Feel free to contact Tim at (712) 274-8733 Extension 1305 or email him at rollint at witcc.edu.