Page 397 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

CASE STUDY 375

27.5 Implementation and Approach

Tips for implementing solid waste reducing in the wood-processing industry:

■ Work with suppliers to provide raw materials that generate less waste, including
lumber that better meets production requirements, so less scrap is generated.
■ Establish relationships with other organizations that may use the wood by-products
as a raw material.

27.6 Case Study

In 2001, The University of Toledo waste minimization team conducted a solid waste
audit for a manufacturer of ready-to-assemble furniture. The company employed 230
people and generated $49 million in annual sales. A review of waste records and an
on-site audit indicated that the company generated 4000 tons of solid waste per year
with an annual disposal cost of around $86,000. Figure 27.1 displays a portion of the
workroom floor for this facility.
Its key challenges were to reduce solid waste generation, increase material reuse,
and increase recycling levels. The company set additional goals to increase visibility
on execution processes, improve manufacturing flow and efficiency by following a

Figure 27.1 Woodworking application.