 |
Pollution Prevention
Paints, Inks and Other Residuals
Fact Sheet
Office of Pollution
Prevention |
Paints, inks and other organic residuals
Waste paint and printing inks may be
hazardous due to one or more characteristics. Not all waste streams from the
painting, coating or printing industries are classified as hazardous. However,
the use of paints or inks containing heavy metals and/or solvents may result in
the generation of hazardous waste due to toxicity or ignitability (having a
flashpoint of less than 140 degrees F). Metals generally of concern are lead,
chromium, cadmium and barium.
Sources of
waste
Application of paints and coatings involves the
use of solvents, thinners and various paint products containing solvents, and
some heavy metals. In addition, printing processes employ solvents and ink
products that may contain solvents as well as heavy metals. Hazardous waste
streams containing solvents and heavy metals are generated as a result of these
activities:
| Source |
Waste stream |
| Printing/publishing |
Waste inks; spent
solvents; press cleanup |
| Painting/coating |
Waste paint; overspray,
overrun paints; paint filters; paint booth stripping materials; paint
sludges from water-wash curtains. |
Waste management
options
Proper handling, storage, labeling, and
disposal/treatment of waste paints and inks will differ depending on their
characteristics. Solvent-based waste should be managed differently than
water-based wastes. Metal-based wastes should be stored and handled separately.
HAZARDOUS (solvent-based and/or metal containing)
Storage:
Separate from water-based products. Store in closed leak-proof
containers.
Labeling: Label as hazardous waste and other appropriate
labeling.
Disposal: Reformulation, incineration, fuel blending (except
chlorinated solvents).
NON-HAZARDOUS (water-based with no metals)
Storage: Separate
from solvent-based (and/or metal containing). Store in a closed leak-proof
container.
Labeling: Use appropriate labeling, if
any.
Disposal: Reuse on-site, reformulation, fuel blending or
incineration (ink).
REMEMBER
- Don't sewer waste paints or inks without the
approval of your local sewer authority.
- Don't make paints or ink types.
- Don't throw in dumpster without co-disposal
permit.
- Don't evaporate solvents.
- Don't offer chlorinated solvent-based paints to
waste oil hauler or fuel blender.
Pollution prevention opportunities
High raw material costs for paints and
inks in conjunction with increased waste disposal costs have changed the way
painters, coaters and printers look at their operations. Practicing pollution
prevention in these industries can significantly lower these costs by reducing
generated wastes. Several pollution prevention alternatives exist, depending on
the characteristics of the waste.
Recycling
- On-site:Paint recycling for electrostatic or
water-wash curtain; ink reformulation.
- Off-site: Reformulation and pigment/metal
recovery.
Product substitution
- Water-based products for solvent-based products.
- Non-metal based products for metal-based products.
- Use of high solid inks or paints.
More-efficient equipment
- Installation of electrostatic or powder coating
equipment for painting/coating.
Waste exchange
- Bulk quantities of unused paints or inks.
Non-profit groups
- Salvation Army/Goodwill.
- Studio arts, drama groups, theaters.
This pollution prevention fact sheet was reprinted with permission from
the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program. It has been modified for use in
Virginia. It is just one of the many resources available to you from DEQ. DEQ,
through its Office of Pollution Prevention, provides free, voluntary,
non-regulatory technical assistance and materials to industry, governments,
academia, non-profit organizations and the general public on how to prevent
pollution. For more information on pollution prevention strategies and
techniques, please contact:
Office of
Pollution Prevention
Virginia Department of Environmental
Quality
629 East Main Street, 5th Floor
P.O. Box 10009
Richmond,
Virginia 23240-0009
(804) 698-4545, FAX (804) 698-4346
e-mail: rtgriffin@deq.state.va.us
Updated 9/24/97