Page 207 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

CASE STUDY—MAJOR WASTE STREAMS 185

Since much of the company’s disposal is done on an on-call basis, the hoppers are
most likely full at disposal. It is critical that this practice remains in order to most
economically dispose of material. However, scheduled pickups are generally less
expensive than on-call pickups. This would require the company to adequately esti-
mate frequency of pickup. Volumes should be monitored from time to time to ensure
that the hoppers are full when serviced. Also consider negotiating scheduled pick-
ups with the waste haulers and requiring them to note the percentage the hopper is
full per pickup on the invoices.
Also, investigation of source reduction and in-plant reuse of materials might provide the
means to further reduce disposal costs. Currently, the company has three end-disposal
receptacles (plus a collection of drums and OCC bales). The capacity requirements of these
containers and alternatives for end-disposal receptacles are presented below.

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1 Steel hopper—OmniSource Corporation provides a 20-yd hopper for steel free of
rental charge. OmniSource pulls the hopper on an on-call basis about 3 to 4 times
per year. The charge for pulling the hopper is $105 per pull minus the market value
of the steel. There is also a hopper for old machinery that is provided and pulled by
OmniSource. However, this hopper is said to be temporary. After investigating
other possible avenues of steel removal, it became apparent that OmniSource
remains the ideal steel-removal service for the company’s current situation. All
either do not handle scrap steel or require a faster turnaround than the manufacturer
can provide. Six recyclers were contacted during this investigation.
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2 Wood hopper—There is a 40-yd hopper for wood, rented from BFI for $50 per
month. BFI pulls the hopper an average of 2 times per month at $260 per pull. If
the manufacturer requires more than two pulls in a month, the charge further
increases to $320 per pull. The hopper is kept free of most contaminants. Nails and
screws are left in the wood and represent the only contaminants in the hopper.
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3 Compactor—A 42-yd compactor for general waste is rented from BFI for $118.45
per month. BFI pulls the compactor 5 to 6 times a month on an on call basis for a
charge of $297.93 per pull. The components of the general waste stream are food,
pop cans, office paper, paper towels, boxboard, and others. Of the waste in the
stream, office paper, aluminum pop cans, and plastic are readily recyclable. The
paper towel volume can be reduced by installing electric hand dryers. Removing
the office paper, aluminum cans, film plastic, and paper towels from the waste
stream would reduce the number of pulls per month by 2.4 pulls, equating in a
reduced pull charge of $715. Also, the company can contact another local vendor
who provides general waste hauling services and compactor rental.
4 Baled OCC—OCC is currently baled and then recycled through Lake Erie
Recycling. The terms are that in exchange for the OCC, Lake Erie provides
60 marshmallow boxes which are worth $5.00 per box to the manufacturer, plus the
revenue obtained from the sale of the baled OCC at market price. Lake Erie picks
up the OCC generated by the manufacturer. The pickups are on-call when 40 bales
(1100 lb each) are ready. This generally occurs every 2 to 3 weeks.
5 Drums (lead waste)—Many of the materials generated as waste on the plant floor
are sent to a smelter due to the lead contamination inherent in the process. These