Number 1

Pollution Prevention Quick Reference

Reduce - Reuse - Recycle

The following list of pollution prevention options is intended as a guide for the shipbuilding and repair industry, particularly  when conducting opportunity assessments of operations that are potential generators of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulates, hazardous wastes or toxic discharges. 


1. Leaks and spills occur during transfers through pipes, hoses or containers. 

• Check integrity of system.
• Install dry disconnects.
• Install appropriate containment around storage, transfer, loading, or process areas.
• Install double-wall containment piping for transfer of potentially hazardous fluids.

2. Paint Management 

• Establish and implement effective inventory control to reduce paint waste, including tracking date received and expiration dates. 
• Use bar-coding to control inventory.
• Grind or mix unused paint and paint solids into primer coat as product extender.
• Use water-based or less toxic coatings.
• Use solvents conforming to local volatility regulations and minimize use.  If large volumes are used, consider still for recycling.
• Increase transfer efficiency, or the amount of paint applied divided by the amount used through the use of high solids paints, special application techniques (See MERIC Technical  Brief 2).
• Use High-Volume/Low Pressure (HVLP) spray guns.
• Use spray gun cleaner.
• Use wind curtains or paint booths for large volume work.
• Improve employee training procedures, prepare or obtain copies of written procedures or guides.
• Reuse excess paint on other jobs, or sell.  Small quantities of paint can be added to primers to minimize waste.
• Recycle any excess paint through volunteer organizations.
• Recycle empty paint cans as scrap metal -  less then 1" dried residue.
• Minimize fugitive overpay through employee training and written procedure guides.
• If customer provides paint:
  • Return or have customer pick up excess paint within 90 days following completion of job.
  • Assume ownership (through contract) of excess paint and dispose of properly if left at facility greater than 90 days following completion of job.

3. Use of Solvents 

• For parts cleaning use aqueous cleaners whenever possible.
• Use solvent recovery systems or contract out solvent recovery from parts cleaners if necessary.
• Install foot operated lids on solvent parts cleaners.
• Solvents should be stored in special cabinets that are vented to the outside.  Keep solvent storage to a minimum.
• All solvent containers should be covered and/or sealed except during use.
• Segregate waste solvents to facilitate reuse by filtration or recycling.
• Reuse slightly dirty solvents in less critical cleaning operations.
• Use waste solvent as a thinner whenever possible.
• Minimize use of solvents through improved operator training and procedures.

4. Machine Shop Wastes 

• Use water soluble or synthetic cutting fluids.
• Filter and reuse cutting and lubrication fluids.
• Install filters in hydraulic systems and replace frequently to improve service life.
• Segregate scrap metals and sell at market prices.
• Segregate hazardous and non-hazardous wastes - rags, solvents, cutting fluids, etc.

5. Spills and Floor Cleaning Operations 

• Establish employee incentives program to encourage improved housekeeping and waste minimization - publish specific guidelines.
• Use secondary containment facilities and improved storage methods to prevent accidental spills.
• Establish specific spill control procedures to reduce the mixing of hazardous wastes with non-hazardous cleanup materials.
• Eliminate floor drains in areas where hazardous materials are used or stored, even when using secondary containment.
• Substitute absorbent pads/socks for "kitty litter" type absorbents.   Use wringer to reuse absorbent pads and socks.   Filter and reuse recovered fluids whenever possible.
• Use pressure washers to clean floors and equipment rather than solvents, etc.

6. Photographic Wastes 

• Reuse developer and fixer solutions.
• Recover silver from fixer solutions with resin or electrolytic systems.

7. Empty Containers 

• Use returnable drums, totes or other bulk containers.
• Triple rinse drums, crush and recycle as scrap metal or plastic.   Use rinse water to dilute water soluble products whenever possible.
• Empty metal paint containers should be drained and recycled for scrap - do not store with lid on.
• Empty aerosol cans should be disposed of after the can has been punctured and drained.  Equipment is available that will safely puncture and drain cans so that the metal container can be recycled as scrap.

8. Automotive and Engine Repair Wastes 

• Use aqueous degreasers.
• Use ultrasonic cleaning devices with aqueous cleaners or solvents.
• Use dedicated solvent sinks for parts cleaning.  Consider solvent recycling service.
• Segregate wastes - solvents, used engine oil and hydraulic fluids, lubricating oils and anti- freeze for recycling.
• Recycle aerosol cans (see above).
• Paint - see section on paint waste management.
• Use Freon recovery systems.
• For fleet service, consider anti-freeze recycling equipment.
• Use pressure washers to clean engines, large equipment, and floors.

9. General Pollution Prevention Measures 

• Use waste exchange for segregated wastes that might serve as raw material for another process.
• Advertise surplus equipment through surplus equipment exchange.
• Avoid use of aerosol cans whenever possible by using pump sprayers.
• Use shop air to atomize solvents and paints.
• Use adhesive labels instead of painted labels.
• Check with suppliers for "green" product substitutes for potentially hazardous products.

10. Aqueous Waste Treatment or Pretreatment Options 

• Oil/water separators - gravity or dissolved air flotation.
• Biological treatment - aerobic or anaerobic.
• Chemical coagulation, flocculation, and gravity separation or dissolved air flotation.
• Filtration
• Reuse water whenever possible - in process or for cleaning.

11. Occasionally Overlooked Recyclable/Reusable Wastes and Materials 

• Wood
• Coffee Cups
• Pallets
• Toner Cartridges
• Office Furniture
• Telephone Books
• Manilla Folders
• Printer Ribbons
• Telephone Books
• Refillable Pens
• Lead Acid Batteries
• Packing Material
• Fluorescent Light Bulbs
• Computer Disks
• Stretch Wrap
• Three Ring Binders
• Hanging Files

The contents of this publication reflect the views of the MERIC staff and are based on information obtained from the literature.  The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or the policies of MERIC or the Gulf Coast Maritime Technology Center.  This publication does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.  MERIC does not endorse products, equipment or manufacturers.  Trademarks or manufacturer's names appear herein only because they are considered essential to the object of this publication.