Waste Reduction Strategies

Case Studies in Waste ReductionPresented by

Conestoga-Rovers & Associates

Mindy Tasich-Koyani

2014 Missouri Hazardous Waste Seminar November 4, 2014

CRA Waste Reduction Case Studies

Some examples of how CRA’s Waste Services group supports our clients with waste minimization strategies:

Haz Waste Minimization Practice in Field Petroleum Contact Water Reclamation Tank Sludge Oil Recovery and Treatment Path to Zero Landfill

Haz Waste Minimization Practices

Monitoring well installation – field and contractor guidance

Well drilling utilizing grout - potential for high pH sludge and water residuals

Many monitoring wells are installed at CESQG and SQG locations

Prior to drilling project, CRA provides the project manager and client with hazardous waste minimization guidance

Haz Waste Minimization Practices

Grout using a Tremie pipe instead of grouting through the augers (as approved by the specific county) 

Mix limited amount of grout to avoid any excess Separate any solids in the decontamination water from

liquid Record pH of decontamination water once it is drummed Record pH of decontamination water prior to pick-up at

site Limit the quantity of decontamination water as applicable

to project to maintain CESQG or SQG status

Monitoring Well Installation

Petroleum Contact Water Reclaim

Generation of water containing crude oil, gasoline, jet fuel, or diesel products Characteristic concerns – flammability, benzene

Contact water is shipped as commercial chemical product for reclamation

Exempt from solid waste regulations per 40 CFR 261.2(c)(3)

Same exemption applies to fuel product impacted debris & absorbents

Petroleum Contact Water Reclaim

Some states regulate maximum percentage of water present as requirement of exemption – check with MDNR for guidance

Tank Cleaning Project – Oil Sludge

Tank cleaning project at crude oil pump station Original project estimated 30 roll off containers 113 roll off containers of oily sludge generated RCRA hazardous for benzene Estimated T&D = $2.2M

Alternative proposal to treat sludge on site, recover oil and reduce waste generated

Tank Sludge On Site Oil Recovery

First, completed bench testing to ensure treatment process would be successful

On Site Treatment Requirements (CA): Temporary Treatment Unit (TTU) Permit 30-day extension for hazardous waste storage

Contractor mobilized equipment and set up processing in one week of permit approval

Processed sludge and process water tested non-hazardous (CA state regulated waste)

Tank Sludge Oil Recovery Impacts

2,070 barrels of oil reclaimed from sludge Estimated value of $207,000 Sludge volume reduced from 113 to 30 roll

off bins (75%) 100% RCRA hazardous waste reduction Total T&D cost savings = $433,000 Total cost savings (including oil) =

$640,000

Tank Sludge Project – Next Time

Treatment directly from tank during cleaning process Eliminates hazardous waste generation No TTU permit requirement ($12K savings) No storage issue Eliminates need for open top bin rental and

cleaning costs ($300K savings)

Tank Sludge Project - Photos

Tank Sludge Project - Photos

Path to Zero Landfill

Audit current recycling and trash generation Verify effective container placement and

labeling Are materials handled from production to

proper disposition locations within facility? Complete landfill waste audit – dumpster dive!

Create baseline in order to measure and monitor improvements

Path to Zero Landfill, cont.

Adjust recycling/reuse programs: Ensure containers are easily accessed by

employees Ensure containers are labeled – clear, color

coded, consistent throughout facility Transparent bags in multiple colors can help

with location and material type differentiation Ensure material handlers are trained and have

reference document • Material type flow diagram

Path to Zero Landfill, cont.

Waste Audit Conduct trash audit on site, or coordinate audit at

landfill or transfer station Measure trash constituents by volume/weight Develop base metrics and improvement goals

Employee Engagement Ask for suggestions, implementation assistance,

establish incentives, and celebrate achievements Provide regular updates & make readily available

Path to Zero – Examples

Path to Zero Landfill, cont.

US Zero Waste Business Council www.uszwbc.org Certification for Zero Waste Requirements

• 90% diversion from landfill/incineration for non-hazardous wastes

• Zero Waste Policy in place• Data documented for base year and on-going

monitoring• Submit data to USZWBC annually• Recertification every three years

Questions?

For additional information on CRA’s waste minimization and zero landfill programs,

please contact:

Mindy Tasich-Koyani

317-291-7013

mtasichkoyani@craworld.com