Pollution Prevention Case Study

Industrial Towel & Uniform

Replaced disposable sorbents with reusable sorbent material which diverts hazardous waste from landfills
Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Industrial and Commercial Laundering Service/7218
Type of Waste Hazardous waste oil and nonhazardous sludge cakes
Strategy Product development and process modification
Company Background Industrial Towel and Uniform (ITU) is an industrial service providing shop towels, work garments, entrance mats, supplies, cleaning materials, and industrial laundering services to regional businesses and industries. ITU has been in business for over 60 years providing services in Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.
Original Process Disposable paper wipes and washroom towels were used by client companies for cleaning purposes and as absorbents.
Motivation ITU has sought to be a good corporate citizen in the communities it serves by protecting the environment through proper waste handling.
Pollution Prevention Process ITU provides reusable textiles as an alternative to disposable paper wipes and washroom towels. ITU launders these textiles which are soiled with a variety of industrial materials. ITU designed a system for the removal of contaminants from these textiles and then turns them into recyclable liquids, liquids for incineration, or solids for harmless landfill disposal. As part of this system, ITU installed a water filtration and treatment system that purifies water used in the laundering process and allows for its reuse. Extracted oil is refined and reused as a secondary fuel. ITU has been able to reduce the amount of chemicals used to treat the water by using new technology and the water treatment system. By using less chemicals, (even though the same amount of sludge is generated) less filter aid is added to press the sludge which thereby reduces the end amount of sludge.
Material/Energy Balance Original Process
Feedstock
Disposable absorbents containing clay, sawdust, or cellulose.

Waste
Solid waste: disposable absorbents saturated with liquid rust inhibitors, cutting oils, stamping lubricants and coolants.

Disposal
Saturated disposable products were landfilled or drummed for incineration. Fluids were discharged to a Publicly-Owned Treatment Facility (POTW).

Pollution Prevention Process
Feedstock
The liquids and industrial applications remain the same.

A specially designed reusable absorbent (SorbItsŪ) is used to control and contain the fluids.

Waste
None. The soiled products are laundered by ITU to remove waste fluids. The laundered (SorbItsŪ) are returned to the client for reuse. Wastewater is treated and recycled.

Disposal
ITU's AbsorbTech service eliminates 250 tons of non-hazardous landfillable waste previously generated by disposal absorbents. SorbItsŪ eliminates the solid waste of the absorbent itself (approximately 50,000 cubic yards of wastepaper per year) and ITU's water pretreatment process captures the fluids for recycling or thermal destruction as a high BTU value secondary fuel.
Economics Capital Costs
ITU has installed approximately 1.5 million dollars of equipment at its New Berlin and Neenah facilities. The AbsorbTech service requires no capital investment for clients.

Operational/Maintenance Costs
The AbsorbTech service functions with minimal inventory and requires less labor to achieve a cleaner facility. The cost of collection and proper disposal (for equal amounts of fluid) is lower using the AbsorbTech system than with the previous system. Operation of the water pretreatment equipment requires continuous monitoring by a licensed operator. A portion of this cost is recovered by the ability to reuse treated water.

Payback Period
When compared to thermal destruction of disposable absorbents, the AbsorbTech service can save roughly 40% of waste disposal fees. A payback period for the SorbItsŪ product is calculated to be less than one year of normal use. The payback period for the pretreatment equipment is dependent upon the success of the SorbItsŪ service. An increased volume of SorbItsŪ business will provide a faster return.
Benefits Client users can reduce their costs of compliant disposal by using the launderable absorbents which are cost-competitive with disposable absorbent products.
Problems Encountered Flammables or excess liquids: training is an important part of ITU's program. ITU trains customers on the proper use and storage of wipes and absorbents to keep customers alert to potential hazardous waste issues.
Additional/Minimization Efforts ITU recycles hangers, paper, cardboard, pallets, metal, plastic drums and buys recycled products. ITU also recycles used textiles into automotive hood linings and upholstery.
Company Address Industrial Towel and Uniform
945 Apple Blossom Drive
Neenah, Wisconsin 54956-4511
Contact Person Joe Mattson
414/729-6100
Pollution Prevention Resources Free, On-site Technical Assistance
University of Wisconsin Extension
Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center
Milwaukee area: 414/475-2845
Remainder of state: 608/262-0385

Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Hazardous Waste Minimization Program
608/264-8852, 608/267-9523 or 608/267-3763
DNR Logo


Bureau of Cooperative Environmental Assistance
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 7921
Madison, WI   53707
608/267-9700

PUBL-TS-024 94