Contacts for the Printing Industries Association

Contacts

Trade Associations
Printing Industries Association	(213) 728-9500
Department of Health Services
Main Number	(213) 620-2380
Alternate Technology	(916) 324-1807
Hazardous Waste Haulers	(916) 324-2428
Agencies with Waste Reduction Programs
County of Los Angeles - Health	(213) 744-3223
County of Los Angeles - Public Works	(818) 458-3561
City of Santa Monica	(213) 458-8228
California Waste Exchange	(916) 324-1867
Used Oil Recycling Program	(800) 553-2962
Small Quantity Hazardous Waste Generator Information and Technical Assistance Clearinghouse	(800) 458-5886
Small Business Assistance Loans
U.S. Small Business Administration	(213) 894-6852
State Department of Health Services	(916) 324-1807
Hazardous Waste Reduction Loan Program	(213) 382-4300 or (213) 739-2999
Hazardous Waste Reduction Facts
General Commercial Printers
City of Santa Monica Department of General Services	(213) 458-8228

It's a proven fact you will save money by reducing the amount of hazardous waste your business produces. Cost savings result from:

• Reduced waste disposal expense and liability
  
• More efficient use of process materials

When you reduce hazardous waste, you help protect the public's health and the environment.

Typical hazardous wastes generated by commercial printing shops are wastewater sludges containing heavy metals, silver, ink, and solvents.

• Train employees on proper hazardous materials management and waste reduction.
  
• Keep your shop clean and orderly to eliminate spills and leaks.
  
• Label all containers with contents and use information.
  
• Keep lids on containers to reduce evaporation.
  
• Wipe excess ink off before cleaning equipment with solvents.
  
• Check for and repair all system leaks and spills.
  
• Control solvent use during equipment cleaning; use only what you need.
  
• Segregate wastes to allow for easier recycling.
  
• Designate a press exclusively for inks with hazardous pigments or solvents.

• Investigate ways of recycling waste paper from bad production runs.
  
• Reduce excess inventory by arranging with vendors for periodic delivery of ink products.
  
• Don't leave excess chemicals on films and plates to extend the life of developing solution.
  
• Use water-based inks instead of solvent based inks to save money.
  
• Try to use less toxic solvents on press wipes.
  
• Use non-heavy metal-based pigments when possible.
  
• Use ultraviolet curable inks to speed up drying times.
  
• Develop a working relationship with a single vendor to facilitate "deals" on bulk purchases and to return old, off-specification products.
  
• Return liquid ink to supplier to be recycled as feedstock.
  
• Apply for Small Business Assistance Loans for funding waste reduction equipment.
  
• Recover solvents with an on-site, small scale distillation unit.
  
• Install solvent hoods to recapture solvent losses from presses.