ESCO Elevators

Year Submitted: 2003

Process: Painting/Coating

Industry: Metal Fabrication

Wastes Reduced: Solvent

Equipment: Water Based Paint

Location: Fort Worth TX

No. of employees: 225

Contact: Roger Bowyer

Phone: (817) 478-4251

Description:

Improving of the environment by: 1) Reduction of VOC; 2) Reducing hazardous waste; 3) Improving the health effects to employees; and 4) Reducing liabilities.

P2 Application:

After locating a waterborne coating that would meet the quality standards set forth by ESCO Elevators, Inc. ESCO met with the Fort Worth Water Department to ask if waste from the waterborne system could be injected into the City Water System. Testing was conducted by the City of Fort Worth Water Department and the results from the testing were positive, noting that the waste would help raise the pH level in the sewer system. The City of Fort Worth then permitted ESCO to dispose of its waste into the sewer system. The next step was to find out if the dust associated with the waterborne coating could pass the T.C.L.P. test. The results from that test has allowed ESCO Elevators to dispose of the paint dust and paint filters into the landfill.

Environmental Benefits:

The changing from solvent base coatings to waterborne coatings has allowed ESCO Elevators to reduce its VOC by 10,764 lbs. per year. Further reductions are expected to equal or surpass this total.

Details of Reductions

Additional Information :

A savings of $20,000 to $30,000 dollars per year will be felt due to the elimination of hazardous waste that would have been shipped off-site. Cost reductions of coating per item range around $5,000 dollars per year. Additional cost savings came from reductions in fire insurance premiums and a reduction in reporting to EPA and to the TACB.

Source: TCEQ