Pollution Prevention Reuse Strategies Fact Sheet Office of Pollution Prevention

Reuse strategies for local governments

Many source reduction and recycling strategies include reuse. Simple economics is one of the most persuasive justifications for employing reuse strategies. Reuse techniques help local governments: conserve precious landfill space; reduce dependence on costly hazardous waste management practices; avoid long term liability associated with the mismanagement of wastes; protect workers and the public; and enhance public image.

Reduction through reuse may be achieved through four basic strategies. The first method is inventory management and improved operations. Specific measures included in this category are: inventorying and tracing all raw materials; instituting purchasing controls that favor reusable materials or chemicals over non-reusable ones; and improving material receiving, storage, and handling practices.

The second category of opportunities includes modifying and redesigning equipment to enhance recovery and reuse. Several measures considered to be production process changes are also available to local governments and include substituting non-hazardous for hazardous materials; segregating waste for recovery and reuse; and separating hazardous and non-hazardous wastes to enhance recovery and reuse.

Finally, reuse may be achieved through the establishment of an internal clearinghouse for excess materials and chemicals and the use of waste exchanges.

The concept of waste exchanges warrants special consideration by local governments. Waste exchanges operate on the principle that "one person’s trash is another person’s treasure." For the most part, waste exchanges are non-profit organizations that publish catalogues listing available wastes and wastes needed. Waste exchange link waste generators with waste users. For example, a solvent that is slightly off-specification may be unsuitable for a research laboratory but completely suitable for a less discriminating user in the manufacturing sector.

Some opportunities for local governments to reduce their waste generation through reuse are listed below. These measures may be applied to both non-hazardous and hazardous waste streams.

General reuse opportunities

Management strategies

Purchasing and inventory controls

Operating practices

Offices

Motor pools and automobile repair

Pesticides

Community assistance

Office of Pollution Prevention
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
629 East Main Street, 5th Floor
P.O. Box 10009
Richmond, Virginia 23240-0009
(804) 698-4545, FAX (804) 698-4346
e-mail: rtgriffin@deq.state.va.us

Updated 9/8/97

Establish a pollution prevention policy with full support from top management and elected officials to operations supervisors.

Establish an employee training program that emphasizes the importance of pollution prevention and efficient materials handling practices.

Establish an employee incentive program that rewards employees for their pollution prevention efforts and their suggestions on ways to reuse materials.

Require that all capital improvements be reviewed by pollution prevention program staff.

Document chemical use and waste streams to identify opportunities to reuse materials.

Create an internal clearinghouse for excess inventory, old chemicals, and recoverable waste.

Use a waste exchange.

Plan ahead to avoid both over-purchasing and the purchase of materials found in the internal clearinghouse or available through a waste exchange.

Label containers properly to encourage reuse and to avoid misuse of materials.

Establish well organized storage practices.

Segregate waste streams to prevent cross-contamination of waste and to enhance reusability.

Keep hazardous wastes and waste oil separate from solid wastes.

Route documents rather than distribute copies to each employee

Respond to inter-office communications on the document rather than prepare a new letter or memorandum.

Use office paper that has been used on one side for draft documents, note taking, and copying in-house materials.

Use out-of date-stationary for note taking.

Reuse file folders that have not been damaged.

Purchase reusable beverage cups for visitors and meeting attendees.

Use the lids of copier paper boxes to collect office paper for recycling.

Save rubber bands binding letters and packages from the post office for reuse.

If office staff uses a cafeteria or snack bar, encourage the facility to allow staff to bring their own beverage containers.

Encourage office staff who purchase their lunches at restaurants and cafeterias to eat at the location to avoid excessive disposable take-out packaging.

Install drip trays to drain cleaned parts; return drainage to parts washing equipment.

Use drip pans when working on damaged vehicles or changing fluids.

Utilize solvent sinks; purchase solvent recovery equipment.

Eliminate use of absorbents and rags.

Have laundry services launder rags used in cleaning small spills.

Store and reuse rinse water or absorbent.

Collect spills for product reformulation (e.g., sweep floors).

Reuse or recondition drums (e.g., rinse with minimum amount of water).

Buy returnable or refillable bulk tote bins.

Develop and/or participate in educational programs to assist local generators in identifying pollution prevention opportunities.

Establish local waste audit teams to assist area businesses in finding areas in which to reduce waste.