Toxics Use Reduction Case Studies
Silver Hanger Cleaners, Bellingham, Mass. - Eliminating the use of toxic chemicals in dry cleaning
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| The Toxics Use Reduction Institute has been working with the dry cleaning sector for over ten years — focusing on the ultimate goal of replacing the use of perchloroethylene (PCE) in this sector with safer and feasible alternatives, particularly professional wet cleaning. In 2008, the Institute provided a matching grant to Silver Hanger Cleaners in Bellingham, Massachusetts to convert their operations from perchloroethylene-based to water-based processes. Two years of data have been collected from the facility, reflecting one year of solvent use and one year of dedicated professional wet cleaning. The analysis of the data is presented here, including capital costs, performance metrics, operational costs, and resource use and associated costs. Download PDF file (2.98 MB) |
Cleaning urethane, ink and paint manufacturing vessels. 1997.
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| In 1995, Raffi and Swanson, Inc. received a $20,000 grant from the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) to examine alternatives to toxic solvents in the company’s cleaning operations. Raffi and Swanson set a project goal of reducing chemical use and byproducts from these cleaning operations by 50%. Raffi and Swanson met this goal, reducing chemical use and emissions by roughly 50% (roughly 46,000 lb.) and chemical byproducts 50% (roughly 200,000 lb.). These reductions were achieved through the implementation of over thirty worker-identified changes to cleaning practices. These changes included redesigning equipment and procedures to eliminate the need for solvent cleaning, methods to increase solvent reuse, and more careful management of solvent distribution and application throughout the site. These changes have saved Raffi and Swanson approximately $18,000/yr. During the course of the project, Raffi and Swanson worked closely with the TURI Surface Cleaning Lab to evaluate alternatives to N-methyl pyrrolidone in the company’s urethane reactor vessel cleaning operation. The Surface Cleaning Lab evaluated seven aqueous cleaners and four semi-aqueous cleaners as replacements for N-methyl pyrrolidone. Two semi-aqueous cleaners were the most promising substitutes but the inability to recycle the cleaners makes them cost-prohibitive. Download PDF file (1.34 MB) |
Ophir Optics, North Andover, Mass. - Incorporating Toxics Use Reduction into Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma, 2011.
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| Ophir Optics uses lean manufacturing to achieve significant VOC reductions Download PDF file (322.30 kB) |
Ace Cleaners in North Andover, Mass. - Eliminating the use of toxic chemicals in dry cleaning
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| Professional wet cleaning has been identified as one of the most promising alternatives to perchloroethylene in the dry cleaning industry. The Toxics Use Reduction Institute at UMass Lowell provided a matching grant to Ace Cleaners in North Andover, Massachusetts, to help the small business convert its operations from perchloroethylene-based to water-based processes. The analysis of two years of data is presented here, including capital costs, performance data and associated costs, operational costs, and resource use and associated costs. The bottom line? During their first year of operation as a wet cleaner, Ace Cleaners realized $1,844 of savings and a 15% reduction in electricity use. Download PDF file (956.95 kB) |
Best Neighborhood Care Dry Cleaner - Eliminating the use of toxic chemicals in dry cleaning
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| This case study includes 12 months of data from Best Neighborhood on its capital costs, performance, resource use, and operational costs as a dedicated professional wet cleaner—the data also include costs of resources associated with laundering shirts (electricity, oil, water, and sewer). Download PDF file (1.63 MB) |
Independent Plating, Worcester, Mass. - Trivalent Chromium Plating Conversion Case Study, 2012.
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| Traditionally, metal finishing relies on the use of a number of toxic chemicals to achieve the performance requirements of its customers. Independent Plating recently converted a nickel plating line to accommodate a new technology that substitutes trivalent chromium for hexavalent chromium, a Higher Hazard Substance. This case study documents the company's decision-making process and the business case for making the change. Download PDF file (543.70 kB) |
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