Case Study

Business Sector: Industrial / Manufacturing

Published: June 2007

Highlights

• Installed filtration inserts, removing 1.7 tons of sediment and sludge from storm drains
•  Replaced mineral-spirit parts washers with health-conscious, water-based solution 
•  Recycled more than 210 tons of  materials in less than two years
• Reduced annual disposal costs by more than $4,500

Background

A family owned company with a desire to do the right thing, Papé Material Handling commits staff time and resources to researching and understanding environmental and safety issues related to their business.

Joe Camacho, Safety and Health Specialist for the company, first learned about storm drain filtration systems when he attended a Department of Ecology workshop in 2003. “I learned how significant a role filtration systems can play in stormwater pollution prevention,” says Camacho, “and this fit right in with Papé’s desire to step up and do the right thing as a company.”

Although some of their efforts have required significant upfront investment, Papé management determined that preventing pollution, saving resources and ensuring employee health and safety is part of the cost of doing business. “The effort you make up front pays for itself because the long-term benefits are tremendous,” says Camacho.

Going Green

In a continuing effort to “step out of the norm” as Joe Camacho describes Papé’s efforts in environmental initiatives, the company’s recent environmental successes include stormwater pollution prevention, toxics reduction and recycling.

Preventing Stormwater Pollution

Papé invested in stormdrain inserts to filter sediments and sludge from storm drains. The company handles a large amount of rental equipment and manages an on-site equipment repair service. “A lot of equipment is returned to us dirty so we knew that the likelihood of our catch basins being exposed to contaminants was significant,” says Camacho.

Reducing Toxins

Papé replaced all their mineral spirits parts washer with a water-based wash solution that costs less, generates 180 gallons less waste sludge per year and is a safer alternative. “People in general believe that most products are safe to use. But if you take that same product and expose someone to it 8 hours a day and add a little complacency, you have a recipe for possible health issues,” says Camacho.

The previous mineral spirit cleaner fluid required replacement every 6 months. “This generated 200 gallons of oily sludge every year,” adds Camacho. Mineral spirit costs the company $1,300 per 55 gallon drum, or $2,600 annually.  The new water base solutions poses a much lower health risk and generated only 20 gallons of sludge per year. The cost to the company is only $250 per 20 gallon containers, for an annual savings of $2,100.

Recycling

“When Seattle started requiring recycling and limited what could be put in the normal waste stream we decided to take it one step further,” said Camacho.  Papé reduced their annual garbage bill by more than $4,400 by implementing recycling programs for tires, cardboard and office paper, printer cartridges and pallets. “Despite the growth of our business, we have reduced our waste stream through recycling,” says Camacho.  In 2004, Papé disposed of 151 tons of garbage, costing the company $12,083. In 2005, Papé implemented a full-scale recycling program and reduced their garbage to 109 tons, costing $8,740 and saving $3.342. In 2006, Papé reduced their garbage even further to only 96 tons, costing $7,663 to dispose, for a cost savings of over $4,419.  In 2006, the company recycled:

• 102 tons of tires
• 30 tons of Steel/Iron, earning
• 6.7 tons of Cardboard/office paper/Plastic
• 3.26 tons of pallets
• 107 printer cartridges

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