Whenever you want to "throw something away," remember that there really is no "away." No matter where you dispose of an item, it is going to have some impact on the environment.

Have you ever stopped to think about what happens to the waste oil, anti-freeze, paint, solvent, pesticide and the like, that is poured down a drain or runs into a curb drain? Well, it ends up in the city's municipal wastewater treatment plant to be treated prior to being discharged into a nearby river or lake.

The problem is, of course, much larger for industry. Each year billions of pounds of waste are generated in the United States. It makes good business sense to improve the processes and practices that contribute to wastefulness. WMRC can provide environmentally responsible cost containment and quality improvement ideas, and assist with implementation. WMRC experts can help businesses and organizations reduce all types of solid waste as well as toxic releases into the air or water.

WMRC's services typically begin with a free assessment to develop strategies and set priorities for addressing issues. WMRC staff assists companies to develop and implement processes that are more environmentally friendly and less wasteful. Services can include pollution prevention, energy efficiency, water purification and conservation, and testing of alternative technologies. No matter the size of the project, WMRC can provide a sustainable solution! Some recent highlight project include:

Energy efficiency and pollution prevention
WMRC worked this year with the Koppers plant in Stickney, IL to identify and implement opportunities that simultaneously reduced operation costs, waste generation, and emissions. Koppers produces chemicals, carbon compounds, and treated wood products. During the process, 11 pollution prevention opportunities were identified, evaluated and prioritized. Koppers determined its highest priority item and implemented it in March 2005. The company was able to monitor the compressed air feed to its phthalic anhydride reactors and reduce the airflow during low production periods. The compressed air project has resulted in a reduction of phthalic anhydride emissions by an estimated 1,400 per year. This also will mean a reduction of energy consumption of 4,200-kilowatt hours per year, and an annual savings of $263,000 for Koppers.

Municipal environmental management

Managing the environmental issues of a large municipality isn't easy. Issues such as the use of large fleets of vehicles, numerous construction projects, and a cornucopia of environmental inputs of citizens, businesses, manufacturers and industries can all add up to an environmental "sticky-wicket." Establishing an Environmental Management System (EMS) aligned with the International Environmental Standard - ISO 14001 - creates the framework to efficiently and effectively address and manage a city's environmental aspects. In 2005, the Illinois cities of Rock Island and Moline, with the help of WMRC, took the first steps to establish a management system to help control their environmental affairs. Both of the cities established an Environmental Policy; then identified the environmental aspects of their departments; established goals, targets and programs; and created a system for preventive and corrective action of any outstanding environmental issues. The cities' plans were structured to provide the most efficient method to identify and manage environmental issues ranging from citizen complaints to water and electrical usage. The cities no only will save money but may also provide citizens a greater piece of mind knowing that Rock Island and Moline are not pollution sources to the great Mississippi River.

A safer cleaner
Dynamic Manufacturing, Inc. in Melrose Park is a family-owned and operated transmission remanufacturing business. Dynamic currently operates at nine locations. In the past year, the company turned to WMRC to find a way to improve its organic solvent cleaner systems. WMRC hooked the company up with a water-based (aqueous) parts washing system to replace the system that used harsh chemicals. The aqueous cleaner eliminates the odor of the old system, operates at lower temperatures, and is not a fire or explosion risk. This system also reduces Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), reduces chemical and maintenance costs, and improves employee morale and working conditions. The total amount of organic solvent eliminated by using ten aqueous cleaners is estimated at some 198,000 pounds per year. The associated cost savings of using the safer parts washers is estimated to be more than $50,000 per year.

Cleaning up wastewater

WMRC this year helped the Nestle USA Corporation to reduce the amount of waste it discharges to the local sanitary sewer. The Jacksonville Nestle plant was discharging over three million gallons of wastewater with excess CoffeeMateâ at an annual cost of over $190,000.00. Through a pilot project funded by the Nestle USA Corporation, several technologies were investigated to determine if the CoffeeMate could be removed from the wastewater and used as a secondary feed source for livestock. Using an industrial filter press in combination with a microfiltration system provided the greatest return for Nestle. The equipment not only removed the excess CoffeeMate in a dry solid form but also lowered the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) of Nestlé's waste stream by 82 percent. Nestle is currently considering the various options for implementation that WMRC has provided to them.

It's Raining Computers and Cell Phones
Computers and Cell Phones are everywhere - the disposal of old and used electronic equipment is at an epic proportion. They're literally everywhere! HOBI International of Batavia is trying to improve this situation by collecting old and used electric equipment and refurbishing it to like new condition. The refurbished equipment is then sold to international markets through the IBM, Motorola, and Nokia companies. HOBI wanted to show that it practiced what it preached -- environmental responsibility. The company turned to WMRC to develop a certified ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS). In the past year, HOBI developed an environmental policy and identified its environmental aspects. HOBI is currently completing the framework to implement an environmental system to help reduce its environmental footprint.

Green Construction and Development
The WMRC Pollution Prevention Program has developed a new assistance program to help residential and industrial developers and construction companies in Illinois learn about Green Construction and Design, energy and waste management, and recycling and reuse of construction materials. WMRC engineer Ken Barnes has developed a program that addresses WMRC's role as a "resource for environmentally sustainable construction and development." The program's goal is to provide knowledge on green concepts and principles, promote construction best management practices, and form partnerships with builders, architects, and planners. WMRC also wants to help Illinois manufacturers by providing opportunities for pollution prevention and energy efficiency in building materials such as carpet, paint, and baseboards.

Biodiesel from waste
WMRC will make a big effort in the upcoming year to explore making biodiesel from waste products. Plans are to use waste oils to make a 100% biodiesel fuel to power the WMRC diesel truck. The project will be expanded to include school buses and other uses.

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Contents

WMRC Overview Governing Officials Director's Message Mud to Parks Where our Funding Comes From ADOP2T Clean Air Counts GIS Services 2004 Governor's P2 Awards

Greening Schools Information Sharing Projects Laboratory Services Library & Clearinghouse Materials & Energy Efficiency for SMEs Publications and Presentations Research Program Technical Assistance WMRC Staff