Life cycle approach to effective waste minimization

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/08940630.1987.10466318· OSTI ID:5212178

Hunter, J S; Benforado, D M

In the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984, Congress declared the objective of the national waste policy to be to promote the protection of health and the environment and to conserve valuable material and energy sources. Further, Congress stated that this would be done by minimizing the generation and land disposal of hazardous waste by encouraging process substitutions, materials recovery, proper recycling and reuse, and treatment. This paper presents the approach used by 3M to find innovative ways to minimize the amount of hazardous waste which ultimately must be disposed by landfilling. The life cycle of waste is examined, looking at how it can be reduced or eliminated starting with the point of generation in the manufacturing operation, to its processing, treatment or ultimate disposal as a residual hazardous waste. Case histories are used as examples of how waste can be minimized in each stage of the life cycle, with emphasis on innovative alternatives that have arisen out of the 3M program.

• Research Organization: 3M, St. Paul, MN (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5212178
• Journal Information: J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States) Vol. 37:10; ISSN JPCAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
510200* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
GROUND DISPOSAL
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MATERIALS RECOVERY
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SANITARY LANDFILLS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING