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Pollution Prevention Success Stories

Learn how companies have successfully reduced the amount of dangerous waste they produce, streamlined production processes, and saved money by implementing pollution prevention practices.

WaferTech LLC

WaferTech LLC employs over 1000 workers producing semiconductors for computer chips used in smart phones, tablet computers, digital cameras, and other electronic products.  Since 2003, WaferTech reduced their dangerous waste by more than 77%, while increasing production.

NIC Global Manufacturing Solutions

NIC Global Manufacturing Solutions saves $150,000 each year by strategic pollution prevention efforts at its Woodinville plant. Starting 2006, the company invested in a new metal cleaning process to eliminate the use of hexavalent chromium, a known carcinogen. This change resulted in a “cascade” of savings that continues today.

CellNetix

CellNetix, a pathology laboratory in Seattle, leads its industry in reducing waste and preventing pollution. The company estimates saving at least $180,000 annually as a result of their Pollution Prevention Planning, and technical assistance from Department of Ecology.

Kärcher

Kärcher, in Camas, Washington, makes industrial, commercial, and household washers. The plant employs about 230 workers to fabricate steel, paint and assemble the washers. Through a “Lean and Environment” project, the facility cut work stoppages on its metal paint line by 95 percent and reduced its annual natural gas use by 10 percent.

SunOpta

SunOpta Healthy Fruit Snacks, a food processor in Omak, set goals to improve efficiencies and cut waste in their operations. The Omak facility saves $98,000 per year, through more efficient use of cold storage space ($84,000), recycling pallets ($10,000) and replacing paper towels with efficient air hand dryers ($3,900).

Accra-Fab

Accra-Fab, Inc. performs custom metal fabrication and manufacturing.  They set a goal to reduce time and money spent handling wastewater.  Learn how they saved $179,000 annually, reduced acidic wastewater generation by nearly 95%, and chemical use by about 50%.  Accra-Fab created an award winning video explaining how they "Leaned" their process to cut waste and save money.

Decagon Devices

Decagon Devices, in Pullman, manufactures electronic sensors for the food, environmental research, and agriculture industries. In 2009, Decagon began a two-year project to reduce their use of lead and improve other aspects of their manufacturing. By 2011, they will have eliminated the annual use of 105 pounds of lead, which also avoids the costly disposal of lead-bearing hazardous waste.

Artisan Finishing Systems,

Artisan Finishing Systems, in Marysville, applies exterior architectural coatings to aluminum materials. They seek continuous improvement in all processes including metal preparation, painting, and facility management. They encourage customers to choose high performance paints. These paints produce less greenhouse gas and do not need recoating, reducing the amount of paint and solvent needed. Artisan also changed their metal preparation process to use recycled wastewater, which cut their water use by more than  75,000 gallons per day.

Crown Beverage Packaging

Crown Beverage Packaging, Inc. is a can manufacturing facility in Olympia. In 1991 they were a large quantity generator of dangerous waste. But by working with Ecology, Crown has decreased use of hazardous substances and their generation of hazardous waste, while remaining at relatively constant production levels. During the last pollution prevention planning period (2001-2006), Crown reduced hazardous waste generation by 70%.

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