enviro policy procedure
DESCRIPTION
A working policy and procedure outline for environmentally friendly approach to business.TRANSCRIPT
Altra Collision Center
Environmental PolicySafety & Procedures
Altra Collision Center has maintained committed to reducing our carbon footprint since the day it was opened.
Our allegiance extends to the health and safety of our employees, our neighbors, and our children.
We stay devoted to revising our policies as needed, and as better systems develop.
Altra is dedicated to advancing with new technologies while maintaining the highest quality in craftsmanship.
Our standards are high, our goals reach out beyond our grasp, and ultimately we will continue on a path of constant improvement in both reducing our impact on the environment and improving the conditions for our employees.
The Environment
ReduceBenefits of Reduction• Saves natural resources. Waste is not just created
when consumers throw items away. Throughout the life cycle of a product from extraction of raw materials to transportation to processing and manufacturing facilities to manufacture and use waste is generated. Reusing items or making them with less material decreases waste dramatically. Ultimately, less materials will need to be recycled or sent to landfills or waste combustion facilities.
• Reduces toxicity of waste. Selecting nonhazardous or less hazardous items is another important component of source reduction. Using less hazardous alternatives for certain items (e.g., cleaning products and pesticides), sharing products that contain hazardous chemicals instead of throwing out leftovers, reading label directions carefully, and using the smallest amount necessary are ways to reduce waste toxicity.
• Reduces costs. The benefits of preventing waste go beyond reducing reliance on other forms of waste disposal. Preventing waste also can mean economic savings for communities, businesses, schools, and individual consumers.
• http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/reduce.htm
Waste Reduction Approach
• Using or manufacturing minimal or reusable packaging.
• Using and maintaining durable equipment and supplies.
• Reusing products and supplies.• Reducing the use of hazardous
constituents.• Using supplies and materials
more efficiently• Eliminating unnecessary items.
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/municipal/pubs/red2.pdf
In the Office
Use both sides of paper for inner office copying
Utilize e-mail verses fax when possible
Recycle printer cartridges First in – First out system on all
stocked products Careful monitoring to avoid
overstocking
Recycle used cartridges and
earn up to $30 in MaxPerks®
Bonus Rewards.
RECYCLE
WASTE OIL ANITFREEZE CARDBOARD
METAL ALUMINUM HEADLAMPS BUMPERS
BENEFITS OF RECYCLING WASTE OIL
Recycling used oil keeps it from polluting soil and water.
Motor oil does not wear out—it just gets dirty—so recycling it saves a valuable resource.
Less energy is required to produce a gallon of re-refined base stock than a base stock from crude oil.
Used oil can be re-refined into lubricants, processed into fuel oils, and used as raw materials for the refining and petrochemical industries. Used oil filters contain reusable scrap metal, which steel producers can use as scrap feed.
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/usedoil/oil.htm#benefits
RECYCLING ANTIFREEZE
Just the FactsConventional antifreeze lasts only 2 or 3 years.About 12 percent of all antifreeze produced in the
United States is recycled each year, and that amount is increasing.
Different chemicals in extended-life coolants allow it to last 5 years or 150,000 miles. Heavy-duty, extended-life antifreeze lasts between 400,000 and 600,000 miles with the use of a one-time extender.
Antifreeze recycling involves two steps: Removing contaminants such as emulsified oils and heavy metals either by filtration, distillation, reverse osmosis, or ion exchange.
Restoring critical antifreeze properties with additives. Additives typically contain chemicals that raise and stabilize pH, inhibit rust and corrosion, reduce water scaling, and slow the breakdown of ethylene glycol.
http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/antifree.htm
SMALL BUSINESS SOLUTION
Develop Solid Systems to Control Waste at all levels
Easy access to proper waste disposal Training and education about company policy on recycling Aid in developing habits of proper disposal
Proper waste disposal is ensured through an outside waste disposal company.
Southwest Solvent Solutions picks up not only our paint waste but also our waste oil and antifreeze.
The oil and antifreeze service is of minimal cost to the company and all our liquid waste is recycled and properly disposed of.
Cardboard-Metal-Aluminum Recycling
• Altra Collision is involved in a common practice among collision shops in the valley of recycling the metal and aluminum through an independent scrap metal dealer.
• At no charge he collects the scrap metal which he intern get cash value for recycling.
• Then he splits the profit of the aluminum with the company.
• On top of this he also takes our cardboard, once compressed, into the recycling center for cash value.
Benefits of this system include: A no cost system of recycling Recycling becomes an economic benefit Reduced waste costs Limited time invested
Other Creative Recycling Methods
• Headlamps and Bumpers for Reconditioning
Two additional things that keep waste costs down by minimizing the waste produced.
Two methods of recycling that offer an economic benefit to a multitude of companies.
Used Oil Filter RecyclingUsed oil filters are exempt from federal hazardous
waste requirements as long as the filters:
• Are not terne-plated. Terne is an alloy of tin and lead. The lead in the terne-plating makes the filters hazardous.
• Have been properly drained (i.e., hot-drained) of used oil.
• According to federal regulations, a facility can dispose of filters as solid waste (in some states) provided that the filter has been hot-drained to remove residual used oil. This means that no matter what draining option is used, one should remove the filter from a warm engine and drain it immediately.
– Four distinct methods of hot-draining can be used: • Gravity Draining: When the filter is removed from the
engine, it should be placed with its gasket side down in a drain pan. If the filter has an anti-drain valve, the “dome end” of the filter should be punctured with a screwdriver (or similar device) so that oil can flow freely. Then allow the filter to drain for 12 to 14 hours.
• Crushing: Crush the filter by using a mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic device to squeeze out the used oil/fuel and compact the remaining filter materials.
• Disassembly: Separate the filter into its different parts using a mechanical device. This allows most of the used oil/fuel to drain from the filter, and the metal, rubber, and paper parts of the filter to be recycled separately.
• Air Pressure: Place the filter into a device where air pressure forces the used oil/fuel out of the filter.
• Used oil filters storage containers must be protected from wet weather by a cover, either indoors in the shop, or if outdoors, in a shed or lean-to. In addition, make sure the container can hold any used oil that seeps from the filters.
http://www.ccar-greenlink.org/vshops/vshop1/checklists/check-f.html
Proper Spill Procedure
Battery Acid• Since acid residue from a battery is corrosive
and may contain other toxics, such as lead, it is hazardous waste. In case of an acid spill, neutralize the acid (with baking soda or lime) and dispose of as hazardous waste.
http://www.ccar-greenlink.org/faq/index.html
Oil & Antifreeze• Use the dust pan to collect access fluid and
place in the waste drum• Use a mop to collect access• Finish cleaning with a rag• Dispose of rag in the waste rag bin
Use of Kitty Litter• When absorbents must be applied to a spill,
collect the absorbent in an empty container.• Mark the container and place with the waste
materials
Waterborne Basecoat
PPG’s Envirobase PaintEnvironmental & Safety Information and VOC Rules
Using PPG's waterborne paint helps improve the environment.
• Since waterborne contains lower VOC than solvent, it is easier to control the air quality inside a shop or spray facility.
• While standard safety equipment is still required, you can virtually eliminate the harsh odors associated with using solvent borne paint throughout your facility.
Environmental Benefits• Reduces production of volatile organic compounds (VOC) • Improves air quality • Promotes health and safety of employees • Achieves performance and quality
Environmental Health & Safety—What you need to know• As with all refinish products, it is recommended to use the standard
personal protection equipment:• Air-fed mask • Gloves • Safety glasses or goggles
Waste Disposal of Waterborne Paint Use• Solid sludge collected from the treatment process is classified as
controlled waste and should be disposed of in accordance with your local regulations.
• The filtrate produced from the waste treatment process should also be treated as controlled waste and not be disposed of into a public sewer without official authorization by your local authority.
• Remember that sewage is treated and renewed to be used as your area's water supply. Responsible management of waste helps to improve the quality of not only local waterways, but of the water you use every day for cooking and drinking.
PPG Refinish Approvals