Valspar

Year Submitted: 2003

Process: Mixing

Industry: Paint/Coating

Wastes Reduced: Solvent

Location: Beaumont TX

No. of employees: 40

Contact: F.W. Cease

Phone: (409) 832-5528

Description:

The Valspar facility in Beaumont produces solvent-based coatings for maintenance and marine use. In 1993 Valspar instituted a comprehensive program to reduce both hazardous and non-hazardous waste at the facility. As part of this effort, it recycles solvent from cleaning mixing tanks back into the next batch production. Ninety-five percent of all solvent used in the clean up process is recycled back into future batches. Valspar also takes back unused paint products to be reworked in future batches.

P2 Application:

Due to the quantity of batches (1835) and variety of products (450 formulas), Valspar implemented a computer tracking system in 1994 to maximize the opportunity for material to be reused. This system involved substantial training of the workforce and resulted in an additional 68% reduction of hazardous waste for 1995. The process is not innovative, but the pollution prevention program is. Valspar has formed a pollution prevention team with representatives from its union workers to find other ways to reduce waste. It rewards workers with up to a 2% bonus if waste reduction goals are met. Within the first month of involving line workers, the team found a way to recycle 60 gallons of additional spent solvent a week.

Environmental Benefits:

In 1995 Valspar reused 54,000 gallons of solvent and reworked an additional 44,000 gallons of returned paint. Since 1993 Valspar has reducted its generation of hazardous waste by approximately 265 tons per year. The returned paint represents another 215 tons that is not generated by Valspar's customers.

Details of Reductions

Additional Information :

The computer and training portion of the project cost $7,400. The on going monitoring and tracking costs are estimated to be $9,600. In 1995, Valspar saved approximately $69,000 in disposal fees.

Source: TCEQ