Georgia Metal Finishing Initiative

Background

Metal finishing can encompass a wide variety of cleaning processes, surface treatments, plating processes, as well as painting and other organic coating systems. The Pollution Prevention Assistance Division (P²AD) has established metal finishing as a priority industrial sector for outreach and technical assistance because of the significant dollars these companies continue to invest for the management and control of regulated wastewaters, hazardous wastes and air pollutant emissions.

P²AD believes that a high percentage of companies in Georgia within the following standard industrial classifications (SIC) perform some degree of metal finishing:

SIC 34 Fabricated Metal Products – 977 companies
SIC 35 Industrial Machinery – 1,287 companies
SIC 36 Electrical & Electronic Machinery, Equipment & Supplies – 303 companies
SIC 37 Transportation Equipment – 257 companies

Source: 2003 Georgia Manufacturers Directory

Initiative Objective

The main objective of the Metal Finishing Initiative (MFI) is to assist businesses in evaluating and implementing pollution prevention (P2) practices that can help them maintain or go beyond compliance at lower operating costs, higher process efficiencies, and with better process or product quality. P2 is defined by the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 as the use or modification of processes or practices that reduce or eliminate the creation of pollutants or wastes at the source and, when pollutants or wastes can not be prevented, utilizing environmentally sound in-process or closed-loop recycling. P2 also includes practices that increase efficiency in the use of energy, water, or other natural resources through conservation.

MFI Special Projects

P²AD believes that for a company to move from understanding that P2 is a good idea to implementing a recommended practice in their facility, a few important issues need to be addressed. The company needs to verify that the P2 practice has worked for other businesses, find out what is actually achievable for environmental improvement and cost savings, assess whether there are any process or product quality risks, and learn how to properly implement and operate the P2 practice.

To help accelerate the implementation of P2 practices in metal finishing operations P²AD is partnering with proactive industry leaders in Georgia and special projects are being developed to:

Evaluate the overall performance of innovative and proven P2 practices through lab-scale testing and on-site pilot studies,
Demonstrate the cost effectiveness and environmental benefits of innovative and proven P2 practices through case studies and training sessions, and
Relay the “how-to” knowledge needed for implementation and operation of innovative and proven P2 practices through case studies and training sessions.

Funding through the Pollution Prevention Incentives for States (PPIS) USEPA Grant Program is available to support MFI special projects.

MFI General Services

P²AD and its university partners, Georgia Tech’s Economic Development Institute and the University of Georgia’s Engineering Outreach Service, also offer the following services through the Metal Finishing Initiative:

” On-site assessments and team facilitation for resource use efficiency improvements (water, energy, and raw materials), wastewater volume and load reduction, closed-loop and in-process recycling, solid and hazardous waste reduction, solid waste recycling and reuse, and pollutant emissions reduction.

” Customized on-site training and group workshops for resource use efficiency improvements (water, energy, and raw materials), wastewater volume and load reduction, closed-loop and in-process recycling, solid and hazardous waste reduction, solid waste recycling and reuse, and pollutant emissions reduction.

” Environmental management systems training, program development and team facilitation.

MFI Questionnaire

By filling out the Metal Finishing Initiative Questionnaire (Word, 161KB), you can let P²AD know what pollution prevention practices would be the most valuable for your company. From there, P²AD can help you to cost-effectively reduce or recycle waste (i.e., product scrap and other solid wastes, hazardous wastes, wastewaters, and air pollutant emissions), and improve resource use efficiencies (water, energy, and raw materials).

MFI Participation

If you are interested in partnering with P²AD for a special project, are looking for assistance with a specific environmental improvement opportunity, or would simply like more information about MFI, please contact P²AD at 404-165-5120.

Partners

The American Electroplaters and Surface Finishers Society, Inc. (AESF) Southeastern Branch