This is a list of common paint and coating manufacturing pollution prevention practices.
Elimination of Heavy Metals and Chlorinated Compounds
Chromium, Lead, Mercury-based bactericide, methylene chloride, and other heavy metals used in early paint manufacturing are eliminated. This means the use of these materials is no longer allowed.
Reformulation Into Water-Based Products
To reduce the amount of chemicals used in the production process, solvent based paints have been reformulated into water-based formulas.
Offering Mistints and Off-Spec Products to Non-Profit Organizations
Allows for the use of miscolored batches of paint be used instead of being disposed of. This includes giving of selling overages of custom colors to the customer or as donations.
Using Re-Usable and Recyclable Containers
By selling finished products in containers that are recyclable, or are made from recycled materials they reduce the production of solid waste. This also includes the storage containers of materials before they are mixed.
Clearly Indicating/Highlighting Formula Changes
It is extremely important that formula changes are made very apparent to the manufacturer. This eliminates the production of off-colored batches.
Using Re-Usable Bag, Metal, or Vortisieve Screens and Filters
This involves using reusable filters in machinery instead of disposable. These filters are manually cleaned at regular intervals and reinserted to the machinery.
Use of Sand Mills
Sand mills require less solvent for cleaning, and are more energy efficient that traditional ball mills. By dedicating mills to specific colors less cleaning is required, which means less solvent is used.
Scheduling From Light-to-Dark Products
The grinding of pigments in the mills should be scheduled from lightest to darkest.
Dedicating Equipment
As in mills the dedication of certain equipment to certain production lines reduces the need to clean the units as often. This saves the use of solvent and waste water that is being produced.
Wash the Tanks as They are Being “Let-Down”
As the finished paint is pumped out of the tank and into final packaging, it drys on the tank walls. To prevent this from occurring, a small amount of solvent is run into the tank as it drains. This prevents the need for constant cleaning between batches.
Re-Work Wash Solvent And Wash Waters
Any used solvent and wash water should be used in the formulation of future paint batches instead of being disposed of.
Manually Cleaning Tanks
By cleaning the tanks manually with squeegees or other similar tools cuts down on the amount of solvents required for cleaning.
Solvent Distillation
Instead of disposing of the waste water and solvent it can be distilled and reused. This process can be done with on-site equipment or by shipping out to distillers.
Maximize Batch Size
By maximizing batch sizes clean-out waste can be minimized.