Waste-minimization assessment for a manufacturer of motor-vehicle exterior mirrors. Environmental Research Brief
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has funded a pilot project to assist small- and medium-size manufacturers who want to minimize their generation of waste but who lack the expertise to do so. Waste Minimization Assessment Centers (WMACs) were established at selected universities and procedures were adapted from the EPA Waste Minimization Opportunity Assessment Manual (EPA/625/7-88/003, July 1988). The WMAC team at the University of Tennessee performed an assessment at a plant manufacturing exterior motor vehicle mirrors--approximately 3 million mirrors per year. Galvanized steel and stainless steel stock undergo stamping, pressing, and cutting operations followed by degreasing. Stainless steel mirror housings are buffed, assembled, packaged, and shipped. Galvanized steel, zinc die-cast, and plastic mirror parts are washed then electrostatically primed and painted. Parts are assembled, packaged, and shipped. The team's report, detailing findings and recommendations, indicated that the majority of the waste was generated in the cleaning and washing areas but that the greatest savings could be obtained by installing an electrostatic powder coating system to reduce primer/paint overspray (100%) solvent evaporation (55%), cleaning solvent evaporation (80%), and still bottoms (80%).
- Research Organization:
- University City Science Center, Philadelphia, PA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 7236681
- Report Number(s):
- PB-92-192806/XAB; CNN: EPA-R-814903
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Sponsored by Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH. Risk Reduction Engineering Lab
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
WASTE MANAGEMENT
SOLVENTS
POLLUTION CONTROL
CLEANING
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
MANUFACTURING
MINIMIZATION
MIRRORS
STAINLESS STEELS
WASHING
WASTE WATER
ALLOYS
CONTROL
HIGH ALLOY STEELS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRY
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
LIQUID WASTES
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
STEELS
WASTES
WATER
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
540320 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)