AT&T Power Systems

Year Submitted: 2003

Process: Circuit Board Soldering

Industry: Electronics Manufacturer

Wastes Reduced: Hazardous waste

Substance: Lead

Equipment: Nitrogen Blanket

Location: Mesquite TX

No. of employees: 2200

Contact: Les W. Goekler, P.E

Phone: (214) 284-2405

Description:

A Quality Improvement team has addressed the reduction of solder dross generated by the solder machines and solder pots in the manufacturing processes at AT&T Power Systems. Solder dross is considered as a hazardous waste and is transported to a permitted site in California for recycling. Due to the weight, transportation costs are very high. Therefore, the Quality Team was formed to reduce the dross generated which has reduced both the wastes generated and the amount of new solder purchased. Reductions were achieved through the following programs:
1. Education of solder engineers on awareness issues of solder dross as a hazardous waste.
2. Review and changing of daily procedures in handling and collecting solder dross.
3. Use of nitrogen baths to reduce the formation of solder dross in solder machines. Application by ELECTROVERT (Supplier of solder Machine).

Environmental Benefits:

The project reduces the solid wastes left over fromthe manufacturing solder process.

Details of Reductions

Additional Information :

Reductions in transportation costs and reduced purchase of new solder will recover costs.

Source: TCEQ