POLLUTION PREVENTION NORTHWEST - Electronic Version January-March 1996 Managing Editor: Kristi Thorndike Technical Editors: Madeline M. Grulich, David Leviten Electronic Version Format by: David Leviten **** ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER **** Pollution Prevention Northwest is published bimonthly by the Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Research Center (PPRC). Part or all of the newsletter may be photocopied. Articles may be reprinted or distributed electronically only in their entirety with written permission from the PPRC. Please credit the author (if any), followed by "Pollution Prevention Northwest, Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Research Center". If you would like to receive a free electronic subscription to this newsletter please E-mail your request to office@pprc.org. Please include your full name, your organization, your mailing address and phone number for our records. This newsletter contains the sections described below. Each section heading has "****" on both sides of it to make it easier to find. FEATURED TOPICS - up to three each month. These sections include in-depth articles on selected topics. PACIFIC NORTHWEST GOVERNMENT NEWSWATCH - Summaries of pollution prevention related activities occurring in the government agencies of the Pacific Northwest. POLLUTION PREVENTION DIGEST - Short items; of interest to pollution preventers throughout the U.S. P2 CALENDAR - A list of some major meeting and conferences related to pollution prevention. ABOUT THE PPRC - A brief introduction to the PPRC, including how to contact us. ****FEATURED TOPIC: EPA REGION 10 VISION*** EPA Region 10's Vision: Moving Pollution Prevention into the Mainstream of Environmental Protection by Chuck Clarke Regional Administrator U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 As a society, we are in the midst of a fundamental shift in how we protect our environment and natural resources. The concepts and principles of pollution prevention form the core of this transition and lay the foundation for the next generation of environmental protection. Through this article, I'd like to share my perspective on pollution prevention and how EPA is integrating it into its work in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Having already committed to a broad prevention-oriented philosophy, EPA is now institutionalizing this ethic throughout the organization's culture. At the same time, the agency has become an advocate for this "new way of doing business" with its tribal, state and community partners. Preventing pollution and conserving natural resources makes good business sense. Hundreds of America's top businesses have shown that it can be more profitable to prevent pollution than it is to control, manage and dispose of it after it has been generated. Companies have discovered that cutting pollution at the source results in many types of cost savings. These saving are realized from using less toxic materials, and less energy and water in the production process, and from spending less on pollution control equipment, waste disposal fees and regulatory compliance activities. While business and government agree that pollution prevention makes sense, putting the idea into action is not always easy. After several decades of combatting pollution, successful environmental institutions have been established by both government and industry that have focused on "end-of-pipe" pollution controls. As successful as this approach has been, in some cases we're finding it to be too inflexible, too costly, and often a barrier to technological innovation and pollution prevention practices. Adapting our institutions to reap the full benefits of pollution prevention is a major challenge. To be successful, both government and business need to overcome internal barriers to pollution prevention and address environmental issues more comprehensively. In government, we need to integrate the air, water and waste "media" programs, in order to think more in terms of whole facilities, whole sectors and whole communities. Likewise, environmental managers in industry need to work closely with both management and employees on the shop floor to cut the use of raw materials and reduce pollution "upstream" in the production process. Every year, more and more businesses are taking the initiative to prevent pollution and conserve natural resources. Of course, saving money is a driving force, but many companies are also committed to being both successful in the marketplace and truly environmentally responsible. Government needs to harness and amplify these market forces and reshape the regulatory system to provide incentives and reward environmental leadership. The following are some ways government is adjusting the current regulatory system to "tip the scale" in favor of minimizing waste, conserving resources and protecting the environment. Forming Partnerships As a society, we have learned that we are much more successful at finding innovative solutions to environmental problems when government, industry and the public join together in a collaborative way. EPA believes that forging working partnerships will be essential to solving environmental challenges in the 21st century. Already, EPA and the state environmental agencies are working to usher in this new era of partnership, communication and trust. This "paradigm shift," or new way of thinking, is already starting to pay dividends. Northwest state environmental agencies have invested heavily in their technical assistance programs to help companies attain compliance and integrate pollution prevention in their day-to-day business activities. On the national level, EPA's Common Sense Initiative is bringing together business leaders, environmentalists, and state and local officials to streamline regulations and build in pollution prevention incentives affecting six major industrial sectors (automobile manufacturing; computers and electronics; iron and steel; metal finishing; petroleum refining; and printing). The initiative is designed to achieve greater environmental protection at less cost by creating pollution control and prevention strategies on an industry-by-industry basis, rather than by the current pollutant-by-pollutant approach. Giving Regulatory Flexibility In some cases, allowing companies more flexibility to comply with environmental laws can lead to better environmental results for less cost. For example, EPA and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality recently took this "win-win" approach when issuing a Clean Air Act operating permit to Intel Corporation. In exchange for up-front pollution prevention and future air emissions reductions, government provided Intel with more flexible permit conditions. Flexibility in exchange for ultimately better environmental protection is also the basic idea behind EPA's Project XL. Under this pilot program, companies have the option of waiving all or portions of existing regulations if they can demonstrate an alternative that achieves measurably better environmental protection. In the Northwest, Project XL is being used as a tool to promote pollution prevention. Harnessing Market Forces If aligned properly, market forces can be society's best ally in promoting pollution prevention to protect the environment. For example, the high cost of hazardous waste disposal is probably the most powerful motivator to prevent the generation of waste. Of course, we must also ensure that less-than-responsible companies do not use unsafe and illegal methods of disposal. EPA is currently revamping many of its regulations to add more economic incentives, such as emissions trading options and facility-wide permits, to foster private-sector innovation. There are many other creative ways to use market forces to help the environment, such as: voluntary certification programs; government purchasing requirements for "green" products; and using "information power" to affect positive change. For instance, public access to information gained through the Toxic Release Inventory and voluntary pollution reduction targets, such as EPA's 33/50 Program, have proven to be successful pollution reduction incentives for business and industry. Through the 33/50 Program, manufacturing facilities aimed to reduce releases of 17 specific toxic chemicals. The goal was 33 percent reduction by the end of 1992 and 50 percent reduction by the end of 1995. In the Northwest, business associations in Alaska and Washington communities have established forward-thinking "Green Star" programs that certify environmentally conscientious companies. On a global scale, a new set of voluntary environmental management standards set by the International Organization of Standards (ISO) has the potential to significantly improve the environmental performance of businesses throughout the world. The goals of such programs are to empower consumers, stockholders and the public to support environmentally responsible companies in the marketplace by providing information that differentiates the "green" companies from the rest. Next Steps The programs and approaches highlighted above represent some of EPA's new tools in environmental management. While this article focuses on how they apply to business and industry, the same tools of forming partnerships, offering regulatory flexibility and taking advantage of market forces also apply to individuals and communities promoting pollution prevention. Crafting good public policy - especially environmental policy - has never been more challenging. As resources slated for environmental protection diminish in the coming years, the responsibility to protect more with less will continue to increase. At the same time, government, industry and others are also experiencing an unprecedented opportunity to discover new and innovative ways to work together to protect the environment for future generations. How we rise to meet this challenge, and how we work cooperatively to integrate pollution prevention into the "mainstream" of environmental protection, will determine how successful society will be in preserving the environment for the future. For more information on EPA's pollution prevention programs, contact John Palmer at 206-553-6521. PROJECT XL - sidebar to EPA Region 10's Vision As the environmental manager for your company, you know the processes involved in making your product better than anyone else. You know all the environmental rules that apply. You can see opportunities to clean up your process, to produce less pollution, but it just doesn't seem worth it. Going "above and beyond" won't buy you any relief from all those regulations, right? Wrong! Through President Clinton's regulatory reform efforts, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency now has the ability to give regulated sources the flexibility to develop alternative strategies that will replace (or modify) specific regulatory requirements _ on the condition that the strategy produces greater environmental benefits. Project XL (short for environmental excellence and leadership), as this initiative is called, offers regulated industry the opportunity to demonstrate excellence and leadership, using flexibility to replace the requirements of the current system with an alternative strategy developed by the participating companies. EPA is now soliciting pilot project ideas that are "real world" tests of innovative strategies that achieve cleaner and cheaper results than conventional regulatory approaches. EPA has set a national goal of implementing 50 pilot projects by the end of 1996. Ultimately, these new strategies could be incorporated permanently into the agency's programs. Project XL complements other EPA regulatory reinvention activities, such as the Common Sense Initiative and the Environmental Leadership Program. If you've got an idea of how your facility could operate cleaner, cheaper and better, consider submitting a proposal for Project XL. State, local and tribal regulatory agencies are full partners in this effort. For more information about submitting a Project XL proposal, contact John Palmer at EPA Region 10 at 206-553-6521. ****FEATURED TOPIC: INDUSTRIAL LIAISON PROJECT**** Industrial Liaison Project First Pilot: Electronics Industry Concept for the 'Industrial Liaison Project' In 1993, the PPRC developed the concept for an effort to help transfer pollution prevention techniques and information between private companies. Calling it the "Industrial Liaison Project," the organization decided to test the concept through a pilot effort to gain the results necessary for obtaining funding for additional efforts. In 1994, The Fluke Corporation became the first Industrial Liaison Industry Partner, and agreed to participate in a pilot project. The project includes: - Identifying pollution prevention technologies implemented by Fluke; - Evaluating each technology for its potential to be shared with others; - Developing communication materials to help disseminate the technologies; - Communicating with potential users of the technologies; and - Assisting potential users with implementation efforts. The first three steps were completed between February and December 1995. The last two will be taking place in 1996. Following is a summary of the information that is being made available during 1996 through the project. Introduction Due to rapid advances in technology and increased global competition, the operating environment faced by many companies in the United States has never been more fierce. Many businesses -- particularly small- to medium- size -- lack the engineering or financial resources to research alternative technologies that might actually help them become more competitive. They cannot afford to risk investments in new products or processes that may adversely affect product quality or productivity, or which may put them out of regulatory compliance. Fortunately, some companies that have invested in pollution prevention research and demonstration projects are willing to share their findings with other companies. Through the Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Research Center's (PPRC) "Industrial Liaison Project," Fluke Corporation of Everett, Wash., plans to share information on several pollution prevention technologies. Since this information comes firsthand from a company that has actually used these technologies, it is more valued than academic research, vendor recommendations or other information. And, the approaches have the advantage of being proven effective in an actual shop. The Fluke Corporation Fluke is a vertically integrated manufacturer of electronic test and measurement equipment. Included in its Everett facilities is the bare- board fabrication portion of the printed circuit board shop that was the focus of this pilot project. Bare-board fabrication produces boards containing all their circuit patterns and solder masks. Subsequent steps that include surface mounting of components, flow solder, final soldering and packaging were not included in the project. Production information for Fluke's bare-board process is shown in the chart below. Fluke is unusual in that a sulfuric acid-based smear-removal process is used, as opposed to the more typical solvent-based method. The company uses the standard electroless copper process for making holes in the board conductive. Production Information for Fluke's Bare-board Process Average Daily Production: 2,000 ft2/day (approx. 2,500 PCBs) Board Sizes Produced: 12" x 18" and 18" x 24" Number of Layers: Single (5%), Double (50%), Multilayer (45%) Primary Board Material: FR-4 Laminate Imaging Process Used: Dry-film Circuit Development Method: Subtractive Process Copper Foil Weight Used: 1/2-, 1- and 2-ounce/ft2 Production-line Employees: 72 Pollution Prevention Technologies 1. Potassium Permanganate Bath Regeneration: Fluke uses a potassium permanganate bath to remove solvated epoxy in the circuit board through- holes. The bath also textures the holes to enhance bonding of copper to the hole surface. Fluke implemented an electrolytic regeneration system on the bath that has greatly extended the life of the bath chemicals, thereby reducing waste and new chemical inputs. 2. Microetch Process Change: One of the microetch baths in the process is used to etch a thin layer of copper from the circuit board so that a completely clean, even surface is present for the electroless copper deposition process. Fluke was able to change the chemical makeup of this bath and add a chemical replenishment system that operates based on measurement of copper concentration. Together, these two changes reduced input chemicals and chemical handling requirements for production workers. 3. Electroplating General Optimization: Acid copper electroplating is used in Fluke's board shop to deposit the circuit pattern onto the board and in the through-holes. Fluke has implemented a number of smaller steps to help maximize the efficiency of this bath's operation. These include specifying plating times and amperages for each part processed, standardizing bath drain time at a full 10 seconds and shutting of air sparges used in the bath for mixing when the bath is not going to be used for more than one hour. In combination, these and other changes have prevented waste at Fluke during electroplating. Preventing Pollution at Fluke The approach used by Fluke to prevent pollution has been successful, primarily for the following two reasons: 1. Fluke has a "pollution prevention champion" for its pollution prevention projects. Like many other company projects and activities, Fluke has a project manager or coordinator who helps keep pollution prevention efforts organized and on track. While pollution prevention often takes place at all levels of an organization and is a part of the way a company does business, Fluke has found that having one or more internal champions helps keep efforts focused and active. 2. Pollution prevention activities have been integrated into Fluke's total quality program. Therefore, pollution prevention has a total quality team, and pollution prevention goals must be set. These goals, and progress toward accomplishing them, are reported to management. This integrated approach to pollution prevention has helped make it an integral part of business at Fluke, and has prevented pollution prevention activities from taking a back-burner to day-to-day management and manufacturing issues. Fluke's pollution prevention team has prioritized chemicals used for reduction. In addition, the team investigates each process step in the manufacturing process on an ongoing basis. Alternative processes that could completely replace the current process and eliminate priority chemicals are evaluated. If it is determined that an alternative process or step is not technically or economically feasible, five options are investigated: 1. Chemistry Change: Is there a chemical alternative to the existing prioritized chemistry that uses the same process equipment? 2. Extend Bath Life: Can the time between bath replenishment and/or hangout be increased? 3. Reduce Operating Concentration: Can the concentration of the priority chemical in the bath be reduced? 4. Reduce Bath Depletion: Are the bath control systems and drag-out prevention steps optimized so that depletion of the bath is minimized? 5. Recovery/Recycle: Can the priority chemical be recovered or recycled to a greater extent? Once again, ideas identified are evaluated for technical and economic feasibility. Alternatives that look attractive are tested (if necessary) and implemented. This approach has helped Fluke maximize opportunities for chemical use reduction and recycling in the facility. Industrial Liaison Project Report The full project report includes a more detailed account of the information discussed above, as well as other pollution prevention approaches used at Fluke. The report also offers information on using a simple economic analysis tool called "total cost assessment" to evaluate future pollution prevention projects, and a customized pollution prevention resource appendix for Northwest circuit board manufacturers. Through mid-February, the PPRC will be collecting names of individuals who would like to be added to a mailing list to receive the report. Those on the initial mailing list, as well as individuals from Northwest circuit board shops, will receive it free of charge. After the initial distribution of the report, the cost will be $6. To be added to the list, contact Eric Creighton at the PPRC at 206-223-1151. Pollution Prevention Workshop A pollution prevention workshop specifically for circuit board manufacturers, which was initially planned for December 1995 (see Pollution Prevention Northwest Sept/Oct 1995), will be held on March 20. The workshop will provide an in-person opportunity to learn more about the Fluke pilot project results and the results of a total cost assessment technique tested at Precision Circuits, a Lynnwood, Wash., circuit board manufacturer (see Pollution Prevention Northwest July/Aug 1995). Contact David Leviten at the PPRC at 206-223-1151 (d_leviten@pnl.gov) if you are from a circuit board shop or closely related business and are interested in attending. Future Industrial Liaison Efforts The PPRC's success to date with the Industrial Liaison concept promises to lead to more efforts in the area of company-to-company information transfer. To find out more about Industrial Liaison activities, contact David Leviten. ****POLLUTION PREVENTION ON THE INTERNET**** P2 Resources on the Internet: 'Content Guides' Make Finding Information on the Internet Easier by Scott Butner Battelle Seattle Research Center One of the first (and the largest) world wide web sites to focus specifically on pollution prevention is Enviro$en$e (http://wastenot.inel.gov/envirosense/) developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. With more than 1,500 documents ranging from case studies to vendor lists and regulatory guidance documents, the site contains a wealth of information for anyone interested in implementing a pollution prevention program. But, just as you can have "too much of a good thing," the sheer size of the Enviro$en$e site has sometimes posed a problem for those who are seeking industry-specific information. Even with the keyword search capabilities of Enviro$en$e, finding the one document that you want among the many hundred possible candidates is often daunting. So EPA, in cooperation with researchers at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, have developed the first in what is hoped will be a series of industry-specific "Content Guides" to Enviro$en$e. The idea behind the content guides is simple - by focusing on a single industry (for example, printing) it is possible to give users a "guided tour" of the Enviro$en$e site, focusing on those documents that are most relevant to the industry. The content guides use a variety of techniques to help users find files, including "frequently asked questions" lists, subject indexes and a "core documents" listing of priority reading. Content guides have been developed for the printing industry, electronics industry, metal finishing, and iron and steel foundries. Users can check out the guides at http://www.seattle.battelle.org/es-guide/, or through the Enviro$en$e home page. The developers will be collecting comments through March 1, to help further improve the guides. To provide feedback, complete the online feedback form available at the site, or contact Scott Butner. Scott Butner is a researcher in the Environment and Society group at Battelle Seattle Research Center in Seattle, Wash., 206-528-3290 (butner@battelle.org). P2 Information on the Internet Educational Programs and Training Opportunities The National Pollution Prevention Roundtable, European Roundtable on Cleaner Technologies and Products, and the National Education and Training Association have started an online pollution prevention discussion service, P2TRAINER. P2TRAINER is an Internet e-mail based discussion group (i.e. listserv) designed to encourage the exchange of information about up-to-date pollution prevention educational programs and training opportunities. The intention of P2TRAINER is to encourage listing of educational and training curricula, and upcoming seminars, workshops and meetings. To subscribe to P2TRAINER, send a message requesting to subscribe containing your name, address, phone number and organization to: 102262.2671@compuserve.com. Questions about the service should be addressed to Tyrone L. Foster at the previous e-mail address or to the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable at 202-466-7272. Printing-related P2 and Compliance Information Two new listservs, PRINTECH and PRINTREG (similar to P2TECH and P2REG), have been established on the Internet by the Printers' National Environmental Assistance Center for the printing industry. Direct access to industry experts is provided by technicians from the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation and Printing Industries of America. PRINTECH focuses on the discussion of technical issues regarding environmental compliance and pollution prevention for printers, offering advice on alternative cleanup solvents, inks and fountain solutions. PRINTREG provides information on regulatory issues affecting printers, such as the development and application of rules and the enforcement status of self audits. To request to subscribe, send an e-mail message to Wayne Pferdehirt at: pferdehi@epd.engr.wisc.edu. Please specify the listserv to which you wish to subscribe (you may subscribe to both) and indicate your name, organization, phone number and e-mail address. **** PACIFIC NORTHWEST GOVERNMENT NEWSWATCH **** ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION Automotive Service Program The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is teaming up with industry representatives to provide a voluntary, nonenforcement program aimed at working with automotive repair businesses to reduce, recycle and properly manage solid, hazardous and other waste streams in their shops. The program _ called Pit Stop _ will promote a cooperative relationship with businesses to address waste management problems. It will include a hazardous waste and used oil management training session, on-site assistance visits, guidance documents and positive recognition for participating businesses. For more information, contact Lisa Rozmyn at 907-269-7581. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Industries of the Future Program The Department of Energy's Industries of the Future Program, a collaborative industry-government program for new technology planning and development, seeks to stimulate the development and use of technologies that increase energy efficiency and lower the costs of environmental protection and regulatory compliance. The program has grown out of the DOE's Office of Industrial Technologies and targets seven industries (forest and paper; steel; aluminum; metal casting; glass; chemicals; and petroleum refining), because these account for 81 percent of energy consumed and 80 percent of waste generated in manufacturing in the United States. For more information, contact Denise Swink at 202-586-9232. Alaskan Village to Use Wind Energy for Power Generation A wind energy project in Deering, Alaska, has been designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for funding under the Environmental Technology Initiative. Partners in the project will use specially designed wind turbines to supplement the current diesel fuel-powered generation system in the remote village. Switching to wind energy, a renewable resource, will decrease the need for diesel fuel to be shipped and stored in the village, which is nearly inaccessible in winter. Presently, fuel is shipped by barge during summer months, stored in tanks, and used throughout the winter for power generation and space heating. This project will demonstrate a control system to link the power of wind generation with diesel generators and the heating system for the village to optimize efficiencies. A successful demonstration could be replicated in as many as 65 other remote sites in Alaska. The Ipnatchiaq Electric Company, the village-owned utility; Kotzebue Electric Association; the Alaska Department of Community and Regional Affairs/Division of Energy; and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory are partners on the project. A grant was awarded through an interagency agreement between the U.S. EPA and the U.S. DOE. For more information, contact Roxanne Dempsey at 206-553-2155. KING COUNTY, WA Joint Advertising Campaign A transit campaign advertising the logos for four "green" business recognition programs - Green Works, Business Partners for Clean Water, Businesses for Clean Water and EnviroStars - is underway in Seattle, Wash. Sixty bus boards ran in November and December, and will continue on a space-available basis in January and February, encouraging consumers to look for these programs' logos, and patronize "green" businesses. The campaign is a joint effort of the King County Solid Waste, the City of Bellevue, King County Surface Water Management and the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program. For more information, contact Laurel Tomchick at 206-689-3063. OREGON DEQ Director to Advise National Radio Program on Environment Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Director Langdon Marsh has been asked to serve on an advisory committee for the Environment Show on National Public Radio. Produced in Albany, N.Y., the program is broadcast on the Public Radio satellite by WAMC Public Radio and ABC Network Radio, and is carried by 192 stations nationwide. The mission of the program is to "inspire thought and reflection about the fact that the biosphere and all its components are interdependent; that nature is to be celebrated and protected; that biological and cultural diversity are fundamental characteristics of nature; and that the community of life is affected by the actions of each of us." For more information, contact Sandy Gurkewitz at 503-229-5918. Hyundai Wetlands Certification The Oregon DEQ issued a water quality certification dredge and fill permit to Hyundai for a dry prairie wetlands fill in Eugene for a proposed chip manufacturing facility. The permit requires Hyundai to receive Toxics Use Reduction consultation for pollution prevention. This is the first time pollution prevention language has been included in a dredge and fill permit. The DEQ has worked closely with the Nature Conservancy to ensure the viability of neighboring wetlands. For more information, contact Barbara Priest at 503-229-5945. PACIFIC NORTHWEST LABORATORY Pollution Prevention Design Tool for Chemical Processes Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) will begin work on a new software tool to help chemical engineers incorporate pollution prevention into the design of new and retrofit processes. Through a partnership involving the Center for Clean and Industrial Treatment Technologies (CenCITT) at Michigan Technological University and the Center for Waste Reduction Technologies under the auspices of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, PNNL will expand its P2EDGE software to include design guidelines for chemical processes. The chemical processes include reactor design, separations design and other unit operations common to the chemical process industry. The software will be developed as part of the Clean Process Advisory System (CPAS), a suite of design tools being developed by CenCITT. Funding for the project is provided by the U.S. EPA. For more information, contact Scott Butner at 206-528-3290 (butner@ battelle.org). Additional information about the CPAS suite of tools can be found on the Internet at http://cpas. mtu.edu/. Environmental Decision Tools To enhance the environment and reduce the price of textiles, a government- industry collaboration, the American Textile (AMTEX) Partnership, is developing software tools to aid in making environmental decisions. The tools will be used to screen each step of the process from fiber to fabric for waste reduction opportunities. PNNL is part of the AMTEX Partnership and, along with the Institute of Textile Technology in Charlottesville, Va., will lead the development of the environmental decision tools. The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, and numerous fiber, textile and apparel companies will also participate. Presently, PNNL is seeking input from the various sectors of the integrated textile complex to meet these challenges. To access the AMTEX home page on the Internet, go to http://apc. pnl.gov:2080/AMTEXWWW/amtex. html. For more information, contact Tapio Kuusinen at 509-372-4234 (tl_kuusinen@pnl.gov). WASHINGTON Training Planned for Writers of Innovation-friendly Regulations In an article published in the September/October 1995 issue of The Harvard Business Review, titled "Green and Competitive - Ending the Stalemate," authors Michael Porter and Claas van der Linde state that companies must focus on resource productivity to remain competitive in the 21st century. The article describes resource productivity as a step beyond pollution prevention, which includes the opportunity costs of pollution - wasted resources, wasted effort and diminished product value to the customer. Environmental regulations, they say, can be "innovation friendly or unfriendly," depending on how they are designed. Innovation-friendly regulations drive people to focus on resource productivity issues and can achieve strict environmental standards at a lower cost. Eleven criteria or aspects of innovation-friendly regulations are listed and described. The Washington Department of Ecology is organizing a training session for individuals who write regulations based on the criteria for innovation- friendly regulations. To submit ideas or to obtain more information, contact Tom Eaton at 360-407-6086. Ecology plans to have examples collected and the course ready for delivery this spring. P2 Planning Effectiveness Study The Washington Department of Ecology recently completed a six-month study to assess the effectiveness of pollution prevention plans from the perspective of facilities required to prepare them under the Hazardous Waste Reduction Act of 1990. The study included an assessment of the factors that may contribute to implementation of prevention opportunities, benefits experienced and the impact of Ecology's technical assistance program. The study was conducted by an independent contractor and consisted of a written mail-in survey, one-on-one interviews and two focus-group discussions. Overall, the results indicate the planning process has been effective in helping to identify prevention opportunities, has contributed to improved environmental management at many facilities and most facilities have experienced benefits. To receive a project report, contact Lynn Helbrecht at 360-407-6760 (lhel461@ecy.wa.gov). **** POLLUTION PREVENTION DIGEST **** Pollution Prevention Software Industry-specific Pollution Prevention Cost Analysis Software The Tellus Institute in Boston, Mass., which created P2/FINANCE, has begun to develop industry-specific, menu-driven software programs. Based on the concept that companies may unfairly reject pollution prevention options on financial grounds because the costs and savings are inaccurately characterized or omitted from the profitability analysis, Tellus is trying to make the evaluation process easier. The institute has developed software for the screen printing industry (P2/FINANCE-SP), and has received funding to develop similar applications for lithographic printing (due to be released in April), and flexographic printing, metal fabricating and finishing, and printed wiring board manufacturers (due to be issued over the next two years). For more information and to order copies of P2/FINANCE or P2/FINANCE-SP, call 617-266-5400. Environmental Analysis Software for Production Design, Processes Sandia National Laboratories is developing EcoSys, a computer software environmental analysis tool that can aid designers, process engineers, managers, and other decision-makers in the environmentally conscious selection of production designs and processes. It has been designed to work with either Design for Environment or Life Cycle Impact Analysis decision-making support tools. EcoSys allows users to determine their own set of environmental weighting factors, and can quickly be customized to reflect an organization's environmental views. Sandia National Laboratories is beta testing its product. Companies interested in aiding in bringing EcoSys to market should contact W.T. Wheelis at 505-845-9298 (wtwheel@sandia.gov) for more information. Grants The Washington Technology Center has initiated its highly competitive Research and Technology Development Grant funding cycle. The center plans to award approximately 10 market-driven projects, each approximately $80,000, to university researchers. Only companies with manufacturing facilities and state universities are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to proposals that emphasize commercial applications in Washington state teaming university researchers with companies and entrepreneurs, and focusing on advanced materials and manufacturing; biotechnology and biomedical instrumentation; computer systems and software; human interface technology; or microelectronics. Full proposals are due March 29, and award recipients will be notified June 28. For more information or to order the 1996 Request for Proposal application packet, contact Laura Dorsey at 206-685-4809 or Keith Ritala at 206-616-3098. NOTE: Information on more than 25 other pollution prevention grant opportunities is available through the PPRC's RFP Clearinghouse, which can be found on the Internet at: gopher://gopher.pnl.gov:2070/1/.pprc. Storm Drain Stenciling: Part of Your P2 Plan Careless dumping of solvents, used oil and toxic chemicals down storm drains can be a major pollution problem in urban areas. Often it occurs because people do not realize the connection between the drain grates and their local stream, lake, bay or ground water aquifer. As many communities and businesses in the Northwest are discovering, storm drain stenciling is one way to involve and educate people about protecting local watersheds. And, the stencils can help protect businesses from potential hazardous waste enforcement actions resulting from uninformed citizens dumping wastes down nearby drains. Stenciling next to the drain grate alerts others to the fate of water runoff and the materials carried with it. One commonly seen stencil reads: "Dump No Waste, Drains to Stream," and pictures the outline of a fish. Storm drain stencils for a river, lake, bay, ocean or ground water are also available. Stencilers are encouraged to work with and obtain permission from their local government public works or storm water office, which can help businesses choose the right message for the drainage and acknowledge efforts to help protect water quality. For more information, contact Earthwater Stencils at 360-956-3774. For citizens in Washington state, some versions are available free by calling the Department of Ecology at 1-800-RECYCLE. 'Green' Accounting at AT&T The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Accounting Project published a case study of "green" accounting at AT&T, hoping to encourage other companies to begin developing methods to account for environmental costs. Environmental Accounting Case Studies: Green Accounting at AT&T describes how AT&T created a senior management position to oversee technology and environmental issues, ranging from product design to incorporating green accounting mechanisms into established management practices. AT&T also assembled a green accounting team, which the company hopes will help avoid potential environmental liabilities, reduce costs and minimize the company's impacts on the environment. For a copy of the report, contact the EPA's Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse at 202-260-1023. For more information, contact Jeannie Wood at 513-445-2660 (smtp!jeannie.wood@ daytonoh.attgis.com). Waste Disposal & Recycling Practices at Refineries Since 1987, the American Petroleum Institute (API) has tracked waste and residual management practices in the refining segment of the petroleum industry. Documenting pollution prevention activities in 30 different waste streams, the API has collected data of the first six years of its surveys. The results suggest a 40 percent increase from 1987 to 1993 in recycled materials and a significant reduction of material managed in land treatment and by disposal. The API has produced Generation and Management of Residual Materials: 1992-1993 to illustrate new practices emphasizing pollution prevention tactics. To order a copy of the publication, contact API's Publications Department at 202-682-8375. For more information, contact Karen Vaucrosson at 202-682-8319. P2 Yellow Pages 1995-96 The National Pollution Prevention Roundtable has released The Pollution Prevention Yellow Pages 1995-96 edition, which is designed to serve as an update to the 1994 directory. The book was compiled from a comprehensive mail and telephone survey effort conducted by the roundtable. Surveys were sent to all known state and local government pollution prevention programs. To order a copy of the directory, contact the roundtable at 202-466-P2P2. The directory is $25 for roundtable members and $50 for nonmembers. 7th Annual Environmental Forum for Business On April 10, Paul Hawken, an international authority on Industrial Ecology and the author of The Ecology of Commerce, will be the keynote speaker at the 7th annual Environmental Forum for Business at the Inland Northwest Pollution Prevention Expo '96 at the Spokane Convention Center in Spokane, Wash. The exposition will feature a broad range of exhibitors and speakers, and five seminar tracks (medical; heavy industry and manufacturing; automotive; general business; and safety). For more information, contact Lucy Gurnea or Kathy Miktuk at 509-326-6885. P2 Methods for Metal Finishing The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) recently published Metal Finishing in Arizona: Pollution Prevention Opportunities, Practices and Cost Benefits. The guide describes 40 pollution prevention methods, and provides pros and cons, case studies and cost-benefit information. It also describes the use of the pollution prevention plans on file with the Arizona DEQ. To order a free copy of the report, contact Gerald Towne at 602-207-4210. National P2 Center for Higher Education Issues Reports The National Pollution Prevention Center for Higher Education (NPPC) recently published A Comparative Study of Perchloroethylene Dry Cleaning and an Alternative Wet Cleaning Process. Written by University of Michigan graduate students, the report details five life-cycle criteria (environmental impacts, human health impacts, performance, economics and regulations), and includes recommendations for industry, government and consumers. The prepaid cost of this report is $31 ($1.50 for the executive summary). The NPPC also published a concise resource for people new to pollution prevention: Pollution Prevention Concepts and Principles. This publication, which costs $3 prepaid) discusses how government and the private sector perceive and implement pollution prevention measures. To order a report, call 313-764-1412 or send an e-mail message to: nppc@ umich.edu. Challenge to Showcase Environmental Technology As part of a multi-partner coalition, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has launched the Environmental Technology Leadership Challenge. The grassroots, action-oriented national project began with a kickoff event January 9 in Portland, Ore., and hopes to promote the expanded use of environmental technologies and practices. Government agencies and companies are encouraged to issue challenges to businesses and organizations with whom they interact, to further the use of environmental technologies. The challenge will foster leadership and environmental excellence by showcasing environmental technologies, practices and leaders; demonstrating the interconnection of environmental protection, cost savings and jobs; and creating networks of partners to use environmental technologies. At least 50 challenges will be tracked by an independent evaluation team over a two-year period, which will then assess environmental improvements and cost savings. Participants will be showcased as "success stories" and leaders in sustainable actions. For more information, contact Krishna Roy at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation at 202-857-0166. Report Highlights Indicators of Sustainable Community Sustainable Seattle has built upon its 20 indicators report published in 1993 to form a more complete survey of key, long-term trends affecting the Seattle area's ability to at least maintain its current quality of life and move some of its weaker indicators toward sustainability. The survey, Indicators of Sustainable Community 1995, includes 40 indicators selected and researched by more than 250 citizen volunteers covering cultural, economic, environmental and social issues. These indicators are designed to measure the city's real progress, identify key problems and priorities, and help citizens understand the changes needed to ensure the community's well-being over time. Sustainable Seattle's goal is to challenge Seattle-area citizens to reconsider their priorities to explore the linkages and causal connections between these trends, and to change their personal and collective behavior in ways that will steer the community on a more sustainable course. For more information or a copy of the report ($15), call Sustainable Seattle at 206-382-5013. Energy & the Environment Conference & Exposition On April 3-4, the Association of Energy Engineers and the Public Service Company of Colorado will present GLOBALCON '96, a conference and exposition on Energy and the Environment in the Colorado Convention Center, located in Denver, Colo. The agenda offers engineers, managers and business professionals an integrated approach to solving energy management, environmental compliance and maintenance problems. The program includes three preconference two- day seminars, five concurrent conference tracks featuring 60 speakers, a networking reception, two luncheons and a 250-booth exposition. To receive an information packet containing preregistration discounts and explaining preconference concurrent seminars, call 770-447-5083, ext. 210. Anyone interested in exhibiting should contact Debbie Fernandez at 770-279-4388. **** P2 CALENDAR **** National Pollution Prevention Roundtable Fall Conference, National Pollution Prevention Roundtable, Florida DEP and Dade County P2 Programs, December 6-8, Miami Beach, FL, 206-466-7272. **** ABOUT THE PPRC **** Pollution Prevention Northwest is published by the Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Research Center (PPRC). The PPRC is a non-profit organization formed to identify and overcome obstacles to pollution prevention in the Pacific Northwest. Headquartered in Seattle, Wash., the PPRC serves Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. Financial Support for the PPRC is broadbased, with contributions from the US EPA, US DOE (Idaho and Washington operation offices), the states and provinces served, and prominent Northwest corporations, including: The Boeing Company, ARCO, Weyerhaeuser Company, American Electronics Association, Ross & Associates, Westinghouse Hanford Company, British Petroleum, and Intel. Significant in-kind support has been provided by: Hewlett-Packard, Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Battelle Seattle Research Center, Microsoft Corporation, and Perkins Coie. The PPRC accepts environmental settlement moneys to further its work on pollution prevention. Created by the Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Research Center, phone: (206) 223-1151, fax: (206) 223-1165, e-mail: office@pprc.org WWW address: http://www.pprc.org