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Closed Loop

Winter 2006

Articles

• New Environmental Technologies for Small Business- NETSB
• Empty Container and Used Oil Management
• Emission Inventory Questionnaires Go Online
• Dry cleaner’s Compliance Calendars Available
• Iowa Waste Exchange News

New Environmental Technologies for Small Business- NETSB
By Chris Horan and Joni Lindauer
Iowa Waste Reduction Center

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. The IWRC would like to implement the following environmental technologies into additional small businesses.

RASERS
The Reverse Ambient Solar Energy Reclamation System (RASERS) has been developed to save energy. RASERS technology works by absorbing thermal energy from surrounding ambient air or by absorbing thermal energy from a heat reclamation application, such as wastewater or hot air exhaust. The captured energy is then transferred efficiently into a liquid such as water. The heated fluid can then be used in diverse applications such as space heating for the industrial space, heating potable water, preheating water in Laundromats, car washes and commercial applications such as facility cleanup and pre-washing for painting applications, etc.

Dry Cleaning AlternativesA dry cleaning alternative such as Green Earth solvent is comprised of cyclic siloxane. The cyclic siloxane formulation provides quality improvements, worker health and safety improvements and reduced toxicity of wastes. Cyclic siloxane, an inert chemical, does not react with the clothing but acts as a carrier allowing the detergent to remove suspended dirt and oil from the clothing. Colors remain bright, intact and the fabrics are soft and gentle to the touch, with little wrinkling. The solvent is safe for all buttons and trim making it easier to process special clothes and reduce damage. Cyclic siloxane is also less toxic -- wastes are not hazardous and worker exposure to toxic fumes is reduced.

CO2 dry cleaning machines utilize the nature of CO2 (a liquid under pressure, a gas at atmospheric conditions) to replace perc or petroleum solvents without compromising cleaning quality. Liquefied CO2 allows the detergent to remove dirt and oils from the clothing. In the gas phase, CO2 is recovered for reuse leaving clean clothes and removing soils. The solvent is non-toxic, non-flammable and water-soluble with no residual odor.

The basic benefits of CO2 dry cleaning come from the elimination of perc. There are no residual fumes retained within the clothes, reducing exposure to perc for workers and customers and the wastes that are generated are not hazardous.

Lead-Free Alternatives
Electronic devices make up a large percentage of lead waste that is landfilled. As a result, the electronic assembly community is investigating the use of lead-free solder for its industry. As lead is beginning to be eliminated from electronic assembly, manufacturers need to be aware of the solder alloy choices available to them and the fact that not all alloys share the same characteristics.

The tin-silver-copper family of alloys has become a prime candidate for replacing tin-lead solders. In general, this family of alloys demonstrates relatively low melting points, good reliability characteristics and somewhat reasonable costs. However, there are several different alloy formulations within the tin-silver-copper family. Production-specific information is necessary to determine which alloy is best suited for the broadest range of applications.

Ag-Based Lubricants and Fluids
In the present day, interest in bio-based products continues to grow, especially those produced from renewable resources that help agribusiness. Ag-based lubricants and fluids are no exception.

Environmental Lubricants Manufacturing, Inc. is the leading provider of such bio-based lubricants and greases in the United States. These products are based on exclusive biotech-based technology, formulated with renewable, biodegradable USA-grown vegetable oils. These lubricants, greases and metalworking fluids are environmentally friendly and meet or exceed industry standards. Soy based cutting fluids produce less smoke, less mist and contain no chlorine or sulfur, which are common characteristics of petroleum-based cutting oils. Also, because of the superior lubricity of soy-based oils, tool costs are greatly reduced and production gains are achieved because of increased feed rates and improvement in part finish. With the introduction of soy-based lubricants, grinding applications have actually shown a 50 percent reduction in wheel costs. Soy-based oils currently match the price and performance of petroleum or semi-synthetic oils, and its future is very encouraging.

Additional NETSB Information
The NETSB project is actively seeking small businesses to implement selected environmental technologies. NETSB has available technologies such as the energy system Reverse Ambient Solar Energy Reclamation System (RASERS), dry cleaning alternatives, lead free alternatives and Ag-Based Lubricants and fluids to be implemented into new or existing small businesses.

If your small business or region has small businesses who could benefit from the financial and technical resources available through the NETSB project, please review the NETSB website (www.netsb.org) and/or contact Chris Horan at 319-273-8905 at the Iowa Waste Reduction Center (www.iwrc.org) for additional information.

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Empty Container and Used Oil Management
By Joni Lindauer and Jim Olson
Iowa Waste Reduction Center

Empty containers and used oil both present hazards to the environment and human health when not managed properly. As abandoned containers become weathered or corroded, the hazardous contents that were being contained are released into the environment. In the case of oil, for example, hazardous toxic metals and additives have the potential to contaminate ground water supplies when not properly disposed. This is particularly important in Iowa because ground water is the source of drinking water for nearly 100 percent of our rural areas and 80 percent of our urban areas. To help prevent these health threats, the following are guidelines to consider in order to ensure the proper management of empty containers and used oil.

Empty Container Disposal
Disposing of old, unused containers can be a difficult task faced by Iowa’s small businesses if the business is unaware of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) hazardous waste disposal regulations. Exempt from EPA regulations are those containers (paint cans, aerosol cans and other containers) that meet the definition of “empty.� Containers are considered empty when they contain less than three percent of the original product’s weight. Aerosol cans must be empty and at atmospheric pressure before disposal.

Before properly disposing or recycling, all containers should be classified as empty. Whenever possible, recycling is a better option than disposal. Businesses are encouraged to recycle empty paint cans through their local scrap metal dealer. However, because it is sometimes difficult to find recyclers for empty containers, it is wise to encourage product suppliers to use returnable containers. As a last resort only, should containers that meet the EPA’s definition of “empty� be landfilled.

Refillable spray cans eliminate the need to dispose of aerosol cans in the landfill and the bulk product containers may be reused or recycled for scrap metal once they are emptied. The benefits of this technique include the elimination of waste management problems that come with defective aerosol cans that cannot be emptied and/or depressurized and therefore become hazardous waste.

Containers that do not meet the three percent weight requirement and are in need of disposal must often be managed and disposed of as hazardous waste because of their contents.

Used Oil Management
To protect our groundwater and prevent improper and illegal dumping of used oil, hundreds of used oil collection sites have been established throughout Iowa. These collection sites were established with the help of the Waste Management Assistance Division of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), in conjunction with many Iowa retailers, recyclers and landfills.

Used oil is regulated under Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and DNR regulations. Businesses that sell new oil on a retail basis must post notices informing customers of the hazards associated with used oil and either accept used oil from their customers for recycling or provide notification of area used oil collection sites. This law assures that consumers are aware of the need to recycle used oil and are provided with convenient recycling locations.

Businesses that generate used oil have the following management options:

• Provide the oil to a commercial oil recycling company (marketer).
• Provide it directly to a burner, in which case the regulations governing marketers apply.
• Burn it on site in a space heater.
• Self-transport the oil to a state-recognized used oil collection site (in quantities less than 55 gallons).

If the used oil generator decides to burn used oil as a fuel on site, the following rules apply:

• The oil burned must be generated on site or collected from do-it-yourself mechanics.
• The heater must be designed for combustion of used oil and have a maximum BTU capacity of no more than 0.5 million BTU/hr.
• The combustion gas from the heater must be vented outdoors.

Containers storing used oil, including drip pans and roll around containers used during oil changes, must be in good condition, have no leaks and be clearly labeled "Used Oil."

Do-it-yourself mechanics who generate less than 25 gallons of used oil per month may utilize the used oil collection sites without restriction, provided the used oil has not been contaminated with gasoline, solvents or other hazardous materials.

As always, site-specific information and additional explanations concerning proper management of empty containers and used oil are available through the IWRC. Please call 800-422-3109 or visit our website www.iwrc.org to set up an On-Site Review or to request information about any of the IWRC programs. All services of the IWRC are free and confidential.

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Emission Inventory Questionnaires Go Online
The Minor Source Emission Inventory Questionnaire (MSEIQ) is a tool used by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to estimate air pollutants throughout the state. In 2006, small and medium-sized businesses with air emissions located in the western third of Iowa will be completing this mandatory reporting. But reporting methods have changed. The Emissions Inventory Questionnaire in now on-line. Businesses are encouraged to use this web-based program to submit their MSEIQ to the DNR. The DNR will host training workshops to assist businesses in creating secure accounts, establishing facility administrators and using the web-based program.

The Iowa Air Emissions Assistance Program (IAEAP) will continue to assist businesses with fewer than 100 employees that are minor sources of air emissions complete and submit their emissions inventory. This assistance includes providing a means for those that do not have web capabilities or are uncertain about using web-based reporting to use the new system. Businesses in the western part of the state can expect to be contacted by the IAEAP about the inventory and available workshops in mid January.

For a detailed list of counties affected by the inventory or for more information regarding the IAEAP services, contact Dan Nickey at 1-800-422-3109 or visit www.iwrc.org.

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Dry Cleaner’s Compliance Calendars Available
The new 24-month compliance calendar for perc dry cleaners is available. The calendar provides a monthly reminder of regulatory requirements and a centralized location for records. The calendar provides a place to record and calculate perc purchases, condenser temperatures and a checklist for monthly equipment inspection. These items are specifically required under a National Air Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) and use of the calendar will aid a facility in complying with state and federal regulations. The calendar will be distributed to Iowa dry cleaners through the Iowa Nebraska Dry Cleaners Association. Dry Cleaners that do not receive a calendar by the end of the month should contact the IWRC at 800-422-3109.

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Iowa Waste Exchange News

From Fossils To The Playground:
Rubber Stretches A Long Way
By Sarah Craft
IWE Resource Specialist, Area H

Over a three-month period, the University of Northern Iowa Museum hosted roughly 45,000 people from all over Iowa and a variety of surrounding states, as they flocked to the city of Cedar Falls for a glimpse of a 42-foot long dinosaur named SUE. SUE is an enormous, traveling T. Rex skeleton created by The Field Museum, Chicago and made possible by the generosity of the McDonald's^® Corporation. The display, officially titled, "A T. rex Named SUE" is an exact replica of the largest Tyrannosaurus Rex ever discovered.

In planning for a successful event, the UNI Museum developed several interactive stations, including an excavation pit where kids pretended to be paleontologists and hunt for fossils. The fossil replicas lay beneath 1,000 pounds of crushed black rubber made to look like dirt. After three months of "oohs" and "ahs" and after the 42-foot long SUE left Cedar Falls, clean up began for the UNI Museum. With clean up came the question of what to do with the 1,000 pounds of crushed rubber.

Deb Fedeler of the UNI Museum thought it best to look for someone who could reuse or recycle the rubber rather than putting a good quality material into the landfill. As part of her reuse search, Deb contacted the Iowa Waste Exchange. After a few phone calls and a little coordination, the City of Evansdale was able to take all 1,000 pounds of the crushed rubber for use as playground material.

In the end, the UNI Museum avoided paying disposal and transportation fees while providing the perfect cushiony material to ensure Evansdale children remain safe while at play.

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IWE Wishes Rick the Best
By Jeff Beneke
Iowa Waste Reduction Center

Rick Meyers has helped businesses in Linn County reuse and recycle by-products for the past seven years. Recently, he accepted a position as Recycling Manager for the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His responsibilities will include management of the city’s residential recycling program. Rick has been instrumental in many solid waste and recycling issues over the years for the Iowa Waste Exchange and will be truly missed.

On behalf of the Iowa Waste Reduction Center, Recycle Iowa, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Waste Exchange Area Resource Specialists, I would like to thank Rick for his years of service with the Iowa Waste Exchange program and wish him and his wife the best in Milwaukee.

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Harmony House Creates New Use For Styrofoam
By Sarah Craft
IWE Resource Specialist, Area H

Harmony House in Waterloo, Iowa is an asset to Eastern Iowa in many ways. The organization provides assisted living services to patients suffering from brain injuries while creating a safe and healthy environment to aid in patient recovery. One of the most vital services provided is that of rehabilitation. To further the possibilities of patient rehab and to benefit the community and its businesses, Harmony House has developed a hands-on recycling program. The organized work-training program, with no sub-wage, teaches patients in-seat behavior, attention to task and how to use maladaptive behavior in a functional manner. Created several years ago, the program continues to help patients relearn important life skills such as hand-to-eye coordination and similar functions.

Since the program's inception, and still today, Harmony House seeks out clean, recyclable materials such as office papers, newspaper, plastics, aluminum and tin food cans and Styrofoam. Participating businesses bring their recyclables on-site and patients, depending upon the severity of their injuries, learn how to sort and break down the materials.

One particular material accepted by Harmony House is a material that no other recyclers accept, Styrofoam. As it stands today, there are no alternative reuse options for Styrofoam. One cannot melt the material to create a new product and the product is difficult to recycle. Imagine for example that a television store gives you its Styrofoam to package family heirloom figurines. The Styrofoam would be too large to safely encase a small figurine. However, from this dilemma came an idea. Jean Creighton, Pre-Vocational Coordinator, with Harmony House, came up with the idea to tear/cut the Styrofoam into pieces similar in size to that of packing peanuts. After transforming the Styrofoam into packing peanuts, Harmony House offers the material to companies for shipping purposes thereby allowing companies to save money from not purchasing the peanuts as raw material.

Most recently, Harmony House has worked with Ectotherm, a Cedar Falls business that makes reptile pet food and distributes its products throughout the United States. Ectotherm is an environmentally conscience company that not only recycles many of their by-products and waste materials, but also prefers to use recycled material for shipping and storage whenever possible. The two companies found one another via a visit by Iowa Waste Exchange specialist, Sarah Craft. Ectotherm expressed a need for packing peanuts, bubble wrap, Styrofoam coolers and clean pallets and ironically enough, Harmony House had these exact materials available for reuse.

Through continued assistance with the Iowa Waste Exchange and a bit of coordination, these two companies continue to work together to make reuse and recycling a priority.

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Foundry Sand Provides Cover
By Jim Reimer
IWE Resource Specialist, Area G

Fansteel Wellman Dynamics of Creston, Iowa in Union County generates thousands of tons of spent foundry sand every year. Since inception, they have been using their own on-site monofill to discard their spent foundry sand.

After a couple of years of encouragement from Jim Reimer of the Iowa Waste Exchange and negotiations with the Prairie Solid Waste Agency landfill and foundry representatives, an agreement was reached. The landfill agreed to waive any tipping fees and the Fansteel Wellman Dynamics agreed to deliver the spent foundry sand to the landfill at their expense.

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Linseed Oil Helps Preservation of Civil War Rifles
By Fred Kesten
IWE Resource Specialist, Area B

For sometime Fred Kesten with the Iowa Waste Exchange has been using linseed oil for the cleaning and preservation of wood stocks on his Civil War rifles. While the oil takes two to three days to properly dry, it is the best product he has used to preserve the rifles.

Recently, Fred was contacted by Cindy Garza, Environmental Specialist with the Mason City Iowa Department of Natural Resources Field Office. She had been contacted by a retired couple in Fort Dodge who had two, half-used gallon containers of raw and boiled linseed oil. The couple had contacted the local landfill and recycling center, but unfortunately did not have a mechanism for collecting potentially hazardous materials.

After being notified of the available linseed oil, Fred contacted the couple and made arrangements for pick-up.

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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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