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Top Pollution Prevention Tips for Chemical Blending
The following ideas have been used by chemical blenders to prevent pollution.
- Use the rinsate in the product. Use only 90% of the water volume required to mix a given batch of
product; then use the remaining 10% to rinse the mix tank, and add the rinsate to the final product. The
rinsate will dilute the initial blend to the proper concentration.
- Save the rinsate for use in subsequent batches of the same product or a different, but compatible,
product.
- Use dedicated containers for certain product lines. Always use the same product in the same container
(totes or drums) to reduce or eliminate rinsing containers between successive shipments. (This practice is
currently used in the pesticide industry.)
-
Mix products directly in the shipping container (tote,
drum, tank).
-
This practice can reduce or
eliminate the use of the batch tank, and the associated need for rinsing that tank.
-
Reduce the volume of rinsate generated.
- Use low volume spray equipment or fog nozzles.
- Maximize batch size to reduce rinsing between batches.
- Rinse first with "dirty" rinsate, then with fresh.
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Reduce drips and spills of raw materials.
- Use drip catchers under dispensing valves.
- Place clear plastic bags over sacks of dry ingredients from which portions will be
dispensed.
- Clean up spills promptly, using dry methods such as granulated absorbant, instead
of hosing down.
- Reduce bad batches through quality control.
- Double check measurement and selection of batch ingredients.
- Analyze causes of bad batches, and correct the problem; reformulate products,
if necessary.
- Test raw materials before accepting from supplier.
- Clearly highlight formula changes.
- Rotate stuck to prevent out-of-date materials. Use less toxic ingredients. Use the services of an
industrial materials exchange to find a home for unused stock.
- Reduce container waste by asking suppliers to take back containers.
- Reuse or rework off-spec batches. Bring off-specification batches up to specification, relable for
sale as a different product, or use in-house.
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