Page 436 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

414 PLASTIC AND RUBBER MANUFACTURING

techniques to reduce or reuse wastes highlighted above, it disposed of about 290 tons
at a cost of $18,000 ($62 per ton). This was a saving of $72,000 annually (not includ-
ing the increase in disposal costs per ton) and an 88 percent reduction in total waste
volume.
In addition to reduced disposal costs, selling the used Gaylord boxes generated
approximately $36,000 annually.
Since employees saw the results of their efforts, most were committed to STARTEX’s
continuous process improvement efforts to reduce waste. A monthly newsletter to
employees included articles from the new material conservation team (formerly the
waste reduction team) that highlighted overall waste reduction successes. The articles
also showed amounts and disposal costs of wastes still produced, and encouraged
employees to find solutions to waste problems.
Customers reacted very positively to the clean shop appearance that resulted from
the waste reduction efforts and good housekeeping practices at STARTEX. Customers
from the medical industry who were required to audit STARTEX’s operation were par-
ticularly pleased with the clean results.
The most significant factors contributing to the waste reduction success at STAR-
TEX were

■ Forming a team, composed of employees from throughout the operation, to focus
on waste reduction.
■ Training employees.
■ Communicating to employees through an in-house monthly newsletter providing
updates on waste reduction efforts, recognition of company-wide accomplishments
in reducing waste and encouragement to employees to be ever mindful about reduc-
ing wastes, cutting costs, and keeping a clean shop.

31.6 Additional Information

1 www.epa.gov/cpg/
2 www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/recycle/jtr/comm/plastic.htm
3 www.epa.gov/opptintr/epp/
4 www.mntap.umn.edu/A-ZWastes/90-WasteReductTeam.htm