Guidelines for industrial solid waste minimization

Abstract

Population and technology are growing fast, and the EPA regulation in reference to solid waste are becoming more restrictive, leading to less landfill space. Therefore, there is a cry for an efficient, feasible solution to this problem. The answer to this cry is solid waste minimization. The Ohio legislature passed a bill that created solid waste management districts. The Mahoning County Solid Waste Management District took charge of the solid waste issues in the metropolitan area of Youngstown, and started studies on the amount of industrial waste generated within its boundary. As a follow-up, the district founded and contracted YSU-Technology Development Corporation to take charge of an industrial waste minimization program that would enlighten and encourage companies to minimize their waste. This thesis addresses this topic,and attempts to present a guide to waste minimization and recycling. After a brief introduction and background information on the solid waste district and industrial waste generation, minimization approaches and examples for specific industries were discussed. Then YSU-TDC waste audits for selected industries were reviewed and areas where additional information is needed were identified. Finally, a decision make's guide to waste minimization was presented for each industry. An attempt was made to investigate all the feasible solutions to waste minimization, however, the investigation should not be considered conclusive due to limitations in the information available.