Case
Study
PRINTING INDUSTRY
Printing Shops: Switch to Low VOC Blanket/Roller Wash
| Company | Rocky Mountain News 5090 N. Washington Denver, CO 80216 |
|---|---|
| Person to Contact | Michael Galusha, Pressroom Mgr. Telephone: (303) 892-2024 |
| Product or Service | Rocky Mountain Newspaper Printing/Binding/Advertising |
| Number of Employees | 600 |
| Waste Stream Targeted | Blanket/Roller Wash - VOC emissions |
| Original System | VWM Met Blanket/Roller Wash for Metro presses. This product is an oil-based solvent blend with a VOC content of 7.2 lb/ gal. VWM Metwash was used with Goss Color-liner, 4-high configuration cold-Webb Offset Presses (non-heat set). Employees dispersed the cleaner from a 55-gallon drum into pint buckets without lids and the product was applied with cloth wipes to clean the blankets and rollers. |
| New System (with P2 Modifications) |
Varn Bio-News Concentrate Biodegradable Blanket/Roller Wash is a water-based detergent blanket wash for water-based newspaper inks. Contains less than 5% of the VOC content of standard washes 0.32 lb/gal. Bio- News is pumped from a 350-gallon covered, reusable tote into 5-(30) gallon stainless steel tubs on wheels. Bio-News is pumped from these containers into an empty tub with cloth wipes for cleaning. |
| Cost Savings | |
| Initial Equipment Cost | None |
| Material Cost Savings | 350 gallons of Varn Bio-News is used every 9 weeks @ $4.50/gallon or $9,100/year. Bio-News is diluted with water 6:1 while VWM is used as a concentrated solution. 350 gallon of VWM Wash was used every 4 weeks at a cost of $3.50/gallon or $15,900/year. This is a cost savings of $6,800/year! |
| Major Benefits | Cost savings of $6,800 per year! Reduced VOC emissions from blanket/roller washes by ~31,000 lb/yr or 95%! Positive business image. Improved worker health and safety. Employee satisfaction with the use of a less hazardous, low odor blanket/roller wash. Cleans better - new product removes solvent soluble and water soluble glaze. Reduced potential for accidents, spills from product transport. |
| Obstacles | Stronger solvent such as VWM is still required to clean some parts
such as ink pans. Cleaning with Bio-News requires slightly more time. |
| Source/Supplier | Varn Products Company, Inc. 14000 Westfair East Drive Houston, TX 77041 Rep: Ron Robb (303) 692-9199 |
| Time Since Implementation | 2 years (11/10/95) |
| Main Reason Implemented | Improve worker health and safety. Reduce costs. |
| Key to Success in Making this P2 Modification | Management support/commitment to P2 and efforts of Rocky Mountain
News Safety Committee. Information and assistance from vendor. |
Created by Lighthouse Communications Group, LLC.
Edited for use on this site by Ronald Lee Still and posted with
permission of CDPHE.