Manufacturing Publications

POLLUTION PREVENTION AT SOUTHWIRE CARROLLTON BUILDING WIRE PLANT

SUMMARY

A team of employees at Southwire Carrollton Building Wire Plant (SCBWP) continually evaluates and implements pollution prevention and waste minimization opportunities throughout the facility. Measures implemented have resulted in cost savings through reduced solid and hazardous waste, and toxic chemical use.

BACKGROUND

SCBWP, located in Carrollton, Georgia, formed a Corrective Action Team (CAT) to identify and implement waste minimization and pollution prevention opportunities throughout the facility. Team members represent each department of the facility and are led by the plant Environmental Coordinator. The CAT team meets monthly to discuss goals and action plans for source reduction, internal recycling, and external recycling.

POLLUTION PREVENTION MODIFICATIONS AND RESULTS

Toxics Use Reduction

– Replaced one preheater with a unit that does not require a canister filter. The new preheater utilizes a reusable filter bag. This reduced the number of filters being disposed of as hazardous waste.

– Discontinued the use of several hazardous materials including paint, adhesives, drawing solution, cleaners, etc. and standardized paint colors to reduce the amount of waste paint and solvents.

Solid Waste Reduction

– Installed a peroxide heating and delivery tote system in the Plastics Blending Department. Previously, di-cumyl peroxide was purchased in 55 gallon drums. Under the new system, the product is supplied in a 3,500 pound returnable “Liqua Bin.” As a result, drum disposal was reduced by 76 percent. Material handling and spills were also reduced.

– Installed a new dry dust/filter collecting system in the Plastics Blending Department. The new system collects carbon black for reuse in the manufacturing process, reducing the disposal of waste carbon black by 20 percent.

– Installed shrink film coilers to reduce the amount of material used to package conductors. The use of shrink wrap film instead of corrugated containers reduced the amount of pallets needed for shipping.

– In 1996 recycled almost 37,000 pounds of copper mud, over 530,000 pounds of PVC products, over 38,000 pounds of nylon, over 320,000 pounds of corrugated containers, over 4,700 reels, and over 34,000 pallets.