WASTE EXCHANGES AND WASTE MINIMIZATION dc RECLAMATION EFFORTS
Eugene B. Jones, Walker Banning, and Roy C. Herndon Southern Waste Information Jkchanp Tallahassee, Florida
Eugene Jones is developmental representative for the Center for Biomedical & Toxicological Research and Hazardous Waste Vanapement (CRTR) at Florida State University. Mr. Jones received his R.S. in Marketing and Sales Management from Florida State Universitv. He is also Marketinp Manager of the Southern Waste Information Exchanpe (SWIX), a program within the CBTR. As Marketing Manager of the Southern Waste Information Exchanpe, Mr. Jones is responsible for the organization of solid and hazardous waste-related seminars, conferences and training courses for the CBTR.
Mr. Jones has been affiliated with the Center for Biomedical & Toxicolog- ical Research and Hazardoils Waste Management for five years, and has worked with local, state, and federal agencies, legislative and congressional committee staff, trade associations, and with the regulated community, including industries that provide services and equipment to firms regulated under RCRA, CERCLA (Superfund) and OSHA.
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WASTE EXCHANGES AND WASTE MINIMIZATION dc RECLAMATION EFFORTS
Eugene B. Jones, Walker Banning, and Roy C. Herndon Southern Waste Information Exchange P. 0. Box 6487 Tallahassee, FL 323 13
Introduction
The problems associated with the economical and safe management of industrial and commercial wastes have grown increasingly complex during the last few decades. Practical solutions to waste management problems by industry typically require a multi-faceted approach for most waste streams, particularly those containing hazardous wastes. Due to economic considerations and regulatory requirements, many companies that produce hazardous, as well as non-hazardous, wastes are beginning to explore the advantages associated with non-disposal management options such as waste reduction, recycling, and resource recovery. Land disposal has tended to be the most commonly utilized waste management practice; however, as a result of recent legislation and regulations, the liabilities and operating costs associated with land disposal have encouraged industrial waste managers to consider source reduction, on-site recycling, and off-site recycling opportunities as management alternatives to land disposal.
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Since the early 1970's, waste exchanges in North America have been assisting waste generators in the identification of off-site recycling opportunities. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has stated that when participation in a waste exchange program affects a generator's efforts to reduce the volume and/or toxicity of hazardous waste, such participation may be used to satisfy the waste minimization certification requirement contained in the 1984 Amendments to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Thus, waste exchanges not only can help generators identify recycling and reuse opportunities but they can also assist generators in establishing an environmentally sound and cost- effective waste minimization program that meets legislative and regulatory requirements.
Overview of the Waste Exchange Concept
The waste exchange concept was first implemented in Europe as a response to rising raw material cost and a scarcity of land that could be used for disposal. A number of waste exchanges, in cooperation with and sponsored by a variety of organizations, began operations in the United States in the 1970's. An important factor in stimulating the growth of waste exchanges in the U. S. was the enactment of the RCRA in 1976, which initiated the federal hazardous waste management program.
A waste exchange can be defined as an operation that engages or assists in the transfer of either waste materials or information concerning waste materials. All firms generate waste materials. Some firms generate waste materials that have a positive market value associated with the recycling or reuse of. the waste. If the attendant costs associated with the recycling or reuse of a waste are not greater than its market value, then waste transfer may be economically feasible. (The factors to be considered in judging the economic feasibility of an exchange of waste include: the relative cost of virgin raw materials, the costs associated with land disposal or treatment, transportation costs, costs of recycling or processing prior to reuse, and purity requirements.) It is up to the waste generator and the demander of the waste to evaluate these factors before a decision can be made regarding an exchange. A waste exchange can assist in the transaction by providing information to parties that may be interested in the transfer of waste materials.
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Firms of all sizes can effectively use the services of a waste exchange. Even though a company may have personnel who specialize in waste management, the feasibility and opportunities of waste reuse may go unrecognized by the company. Some companies may lack in-house personnel with the skills needed to identify waste exchange opportunities. As such, many opportunities exist for firms to lower costs and increase revenues through the use of a waste exchange.
Types of Waste Exchanges
There are two general types of waste exchanges: waste information "clearinghouses" and waste material exchanges. Those exchanges that transfer only information are labeled as "Information Exchanges". Waste exchanges that take possession of waste materials and act as brokers are referred to as "Material Exchanges." (A list of waste exchanges currently operating in North America is contained in the following table.)
Information Exc h an ge (Clearing h ouse)
The information or clearinghouse waste exchange typically operates as a non-profit organization. Its function is to provide information to waste generators and waste users on the availability of and demand for waste materials. The primary clearinghouse service is to publicize the availability of and demand for waste materials. This is accomplished by publishing a catalog which contains listings of wastes wanted and wastes available. The catalog is distributed to potential generators and users of these wastes. Waste materials listed in the catalog are typically assigned a code number so that the identity of the listing company can be kept confidential. A company interested in a material listed in a particular waste exchange catalog will send a letter of inquiry to the clearinghouse. The clearinghouse will forward the letter to the listing company who, in turn, will contact the inquirer to initiate the negotiation process. Once the information is provided and an initial contact between generator anc! user is established, the clearinghouse usually plays no further role in the transaction. All further negotiations concerning the ?xchange of waste materials are handled directly by the companies.
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Waste Exchanges Operating in North America
Alberta Waste Materials Exchange Indiana Waste Exchange Ms. Karen Beliveau Ms. Karen E. Evans 4th Floor Terrace Plaza P. 0. Box 1220 4445 Calgary Trail South Indianapolis, IN 46206 Edmonton, Alberta (317) 634-2142 CANADA T6H 5R7 (403) 450-5461 Industrial Materials Exchange Service Ms. Margo Siekerka California Waste Exchange 2200 Churchill Road, IEPADLPC-24 Mr. Robert McCormick Springfield, IL 62706 Department of Health Services (217) 782-0450 Toxic Substance$ Control Division 714 P Street Industrial Waste Infromation Exchangc Sacramento, CA 958 14 Mr. William E. Payne (916) 324-1807 New Jersey Chamber of Commerce 5 Commerce Street Canadian Inventory Exchange * Newak, NJ 07102 Mr. Phillip LaRoche (201) 623-7070 900 Blondin Ste-Adele, Quebec Manitoba Waste Exchange CANADA JOR 1LO Mr. James Ferguson (5 14) 229-65 1 1 c/o Biomass Energy Institute. Inc. 1329 Niakwa Road Canadian Waste Materials Exchange Winnipeg, Manitoba Dr. Robert Laughlin CANADA R2J 3T4 Ontario Research Foundation (204) 257-3891 Sheridan Park Research Community Mississauga, Ontario Montana Industrial Waste Exchange CANADA L5K 1B3 Mr. Don Ingles (416) 822-41 11 Montana Chamber of Commerce P. 0. Box 1730 Enkarn Research Corporation * Helena, MT 59624 Mr. J.T. Engster (406) 442-2405 P.O. Box 590 Albany, NY 12202 Northeast Industrial Waste Exchange (5 18) 436-9684 Mr. Lewis Cutler 90 Presidential Plaza, Suite 122 Georgia Waste Exchange * Syracuse, NY 13202 Mr. Michael Wheekes (315) 422-6572 clo America Resource Recovery P. 0. Box 7178, Station A Ontario Waste Exchange Marietta, GA 30065 Mr. Brian Forrestal (404) 363-3022 Ontario Reserach Foundation Sheridan Park Research Community Great Lakes Regional Waste Exchange Mississauga, Ontario . Mr. William Stough CANADA L5K 1B3 470 Market Street, S. W., Suite 100-A (416) 822-41 11 Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 451-8992 (Continued on Next Page) 81
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Waste Exchanges Operating in North America (Continued)
Resource Recovery of America ** h4r. Robert 0. Kincart P. 0. Box 75283 Tampa, FL 33675-0283 (8 13) 248-9000
Southeast Waste Exchange Ms. Mary McDaniel Urban Institute UNCC Station Charlotte, NC 28223 (704) 547-2307
Southern Waste Information Exchange Dr. Roy C. Hemdon P. 0. Box 6487 Tallahassee, FL 32313 (904) 644-55 16
Tennessee Waste Exchange Ms. Sharon Bell Tennessee Manufacturers and Taxpayers Association 226 Capitol Blvd., Suite 800 Nashville, TN 37219 (615) 256-5141
Wastelink, Division of Tencon Associates * Ms. Mary E. Malotke P.O. Box 12 Cincinnati, OH 45174 (513) 248-0012
Western Waste Exchange Dr. Nicholas Hild ASU Center for Environmental Studies Krause Hall Tempe, AZ 85287 (602) 965-1858
Zero Waste Systems ** Mr. Trevor Pitts 2928 Poplar Street Oakland, CA 94608 (415) 893-8261
* For-Profit Waste Information Exchange ** Material Waste Exchange
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Material Exchange
The material exchange is in many ways similar to a clearinghouse exchange. The major differences between the clearinghouse and the material exchange are the extent to which the waste exchange becomes involved (i.e.', takes possession) with the waste material and the organizational structure of the exchange (Le., profit or non-profit). The material exchange acts as an agent or broker, seeking a buyer or seller for a particular material. Material exchanges usually take possession of the waste material and perform whatever processing is required to make the waste marketable. Unlike the information exchange, the material exchange typically operates to earn a profit, and generally is financially self-sufficient. Chemical analysis, processing, packaging, and transportation are either subcontracted to other companies or performed by the exchange's own staff.
The activities of a material exchange tend to concentrate on a specific list of waste types. The material exchange attempts to profitably acquire, process, and sell its wastes. Poor purchasing decisions may result in the accumulation of an inventory that is difficult to sell. Unlike the information exchange, the material exchange may incur substantial losses or gains from their acquisitions.
The Role of Waste Exchanges in a Waste Minimization Program
With the passage of the RCRA in 1976, the federal government implemented a regulatory program for hazardous waste. This regulatory program has resulted in a significant increase in the operating costs and liabilities for firms who generate, transport, treat, store, or dispose of hazardous wastes. As a result of the increase in both the costs and liabilities associated with waste management, there is a significant incentive for firms to either eliminate or reduce the volume and/or toxicity of waste generated.
The federal Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 (HSWA), which amended the RCRA, contain many new requirements that affect companies that produce, transport, recycle, and dispose of hazardous waste. The federal government now regulates approximately 150,000 smaller firms that generate between 100 and 1,000 kilograms of hazardous waste in a calendar month. Prior to
83 Qovernment Institutes. Inc. 0 1987 Waste Minimization passage of the HSWA, only firms producing more than 1,000 kg/month were fully regulated. One of the mandates included in the HSWA pertains to waste minimization not only for the generator, but also for those that treat, store or dispose of hazardous wastes.
One of the new requirements for smaller generators involves a certification of waste minimization. This certification requires that generators sign Item 16 on the Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest which reads: "If I am a large quantity generator, I certify that I have a program in place to reduce the volume and toxicity of waste generated to the degree I have determined to be economically practicable and I have selected the practicable method of treatment, storage, or disposal currently available to me which minimizes the present and future threat to human health and the environment OR if I am a small quantity generator, I have made a good faith effort to minimize my waste generation and select the best waste mariagement method available to me which I can afford."
The HSWA requires waste minimization certification by generators on the Uniform Manifest as well as in their biennial reports and for on-site treatment, storage, and disposal permits. In the biennial report a generator must include the following information: 1) a description of the efforts undertaken during the year to reduce the volume and toxicity of waste generated; and 2) a description of the changes in volume and toxicity of waste actually achieved during the year in comparison to previous years to the extent such information is available for years prior to 1984.
In a letter dated January 17, 1986 to the Secretary of the Maryland Hazardous Waste Facilities Siting Board from the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Solid Waste Management and Emergency Response, U.S. EPA, it was stated that: "Waste exchanges provide an excellent mechanism for information transfer and have the ability to realize actual increases in the use of recycling as a waste management alternative." It was further stated that, "The strides taken by waste exchanges in recent years have helped to reduce the threat that these wastes would have otherwise posed to public health and the environment."
In addition to meeting regulatory requirements, active participation in a waste exchange program provides the generator with the opportunity to explore alternative waste management options as well as the opportunity to implement a cost-effective
84 Qovernment Instttutes. Inc. 0 1987 Waste Minimization method of waste minimization. Waste exchanges can also influence the use of manufacturing "by-products" as raw materials and/or energy sources. Waste exchanges have proven effective in increasing recycling and resource reuse as a waste management alternative. Waste exchanges can be an important part of a company's overall strategy to manage waste in an environmentally sound and cost- effective manner.
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