Case
Study
WOOD PRODUCTS/FURNITURE MANUFACTURING
Wood Products & Furniture:
Product Substitution to Low or No-HAPs Coatings/Coating Solvents
| Company | Design Fabricators, Inc. 555 Aspen Ridge Drive Lafayette, CO 80026 |
|---|---|
| Person to Contact | Bob Coleman, Principal Telephone: (303) 661-9800 |
| Product or Service | Custom Retail Store Fixtures |
| Number of Employees | 115 |
| Waste Stream Targeted | Coating-related waste, HAPs emissions |
| Original System | Solvent-based Lacquers/Lacquer Thinners. Typical coatings/coating solvents contain methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, toluene, and xylene. Many of these chemicals are considered Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and/or Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs). |
| New System (with P2 Modifications) |
Low or No-HAPs Lacquers/Lacquer Thinners, contain low amounts of or
no listed hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Low-HAPs products used in
this case: 1. T-6 Lacquer Thinner (Product # 900-0406). 2. Low HAPs Water-White Sealer (# 900-0406-01). 3. Low HAPs Precatalyzed Lacquer (25 Sheen, # 571-0377- 25 and 40 Sheen, # 571-0377-40). 4. No HAPs Wipe Reducer (# 590-0156). |
| Cost Savings | |
| Initial Equipment Costs | None. |
| Material Cost Savings | There is little or no cost savings associated with this improvement. Low or no-HAP coatings/coating solvents are, in general, more expensive to purchase than conventional coatings/coating solvents (one is less expensive). Similar quantities are required; therefore costs are slightly higher overall. |
| Waste Disposal Costs | There is no waste disposal cost savings associated with this improvement. |
| Major Benefits | Reduced HAP emissions from 21.9 tons/year to 8.7 tons/year, a
60% reduction. Improved worker health and safety, reduction in associated liabilities. Improved business image. |
| Obstacles | Low or No-HAPs Lacquers/Lacquer thinners still contain VOCs. |
| Time Since Implementation | 1 year. (1/23/96) |
| Source/Supplier | Guardsman Products Larry Moore, Rep. 13535 Monster Rd. South Seattle, WA 98178 Telephone: (719) 532-3107 |
| Main Reason Implemented | Reduce HAP emissions. Improve worker health and safety and reduce associated liabilities. |
| Key to Success in Making this P2 Modification | Working with vendors to find less hazardous products. |
Created by Lighthouse Communications Group, LLC.
Edited for use on this site by Ronald Lee Still and posted with
permission of CDPHE.