| Substitution of the Custom Blended Paints used for Recliner Chairs | United States | Published in 1989 | Full scale |
MANUFACTURE OF FURNITURE;MANUFACTURING N.E.C. # 7
Background
This case study illustrates cleaner production measures at a furniture manufacturing industry. The case study is a part of core collection of case studies from North Carolina, USA and was originally abstracted for the US Environmental Protection Agency's Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse.
Cleaner Production Principle
Material substitution
Cleaner Production Application
A custom-blended paint was earlier used on the metal part. This paint was replaced with a paint that utilizes the light oil residue on the part as a "plasticizer" to impart flexibility to the coating. Substitution of a custom-blended paint eliminated the need for a pre-dip tank used for removing an oil layer.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
The project resulted in following benefits,
| Reduction of waste in terms of 1,000 gallons lacquer thinner every 3 months. This corresponds to a savings of $22,000/yr in waste transportation and disposal costs. |
| The quality of the product was improved because of reduced trapped moisture, caused by flash, under the paint layer. The trapped moisture had led to rust problems earlier. |
| Material and disposal costs associated with the lacquer were eliminated. Rejection and rework of parts decreased due to reduction of trapped moisture under the paint layer, caused by flash. |
Constraints
None reported.
Contacts
"Case Summaries of Waste Reduction by Industries in the Southeast", Schecter, Roger N., Hunt, Gary, July, 1989.
Review Status
This case study underwent a UNEP IE funded technical review in 1994 for quality and completeness. It was edited for the ICPIC diskette in July 1995.
Subsequently the case study has undergone another technical review by Dr Prasad Modak at Environmental Management Centre, Mumbai, India, in September 1998.