C2764 - Accord Industries Ltd - Metal Compounds Manuf. - Auckland Region

Summary
Scrap metal and other materials are recycled, reducing disposal costs.

Business Profile
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Type of Project
Manufactures metal components from brass, aluminium and steel for whiteware and similar products. The company employs 100 staff.

Reasons for Project
Recycling of scrap metal as it is recognised as a valuable and useable resource.

The Project

Packaging returned to suppliers or sold

DetailsPackaging such as drums, pallets and boxes are returned to the supplier or sold to others. Accord Industries' operation demonstrates that building relationships with suppliers of materials ensures resources are not discarded needlessly.EconomicsNo costs involved.BenefitsFewer resources are being wasted. Reduced disposal costs.

Metal recycling DetailsSurplus metals are cleaned and returned to the supplier so they can be remelted.EconomicsThe business is able in many cases to receive an income from the materials.BenefitsBy recycling metals, valuable resources are not being wasted.

Oil recycling DetailsOil is used throughout the brass and aluminium processes is recovered by centrifuge and reused indefinitely. Oil from steel scrap is collected as it drains off the completed product, stored in a closed bin, and taken by the supplier at no charge.EconomicsSavings on the purchase of oil is estimated at 25%.BenefitsReduced cutting oil waste. Reduced costs of cutting oil.

METAL CLEANING PROCESSES

Water soluble cleaning agent DetailsA water soluble cleaning agent, "Enforce", is being trialed by Accord Industries as an alternative to kerosene for washing steel components. "Enforce" lasts at least twice as long as kerosene as the collected oil can be skimmed off the surface. With kerosene the oil becomes part of the mixture and cannot be removed. However, "Enforce" can cause steel components to rust and therefore a rustproof agent is also being tested in the cleaning agent to overcome the problem.

Economics

The price of the two cleaning agents is comparable. Therefore using "Enforce" could halve cleaning costs for most components manufactured. BenefitsIn addition to financial savings, the health of the workers would also be improved as "Enforce" is not as damaging if it comes in contact with their skin.

For additional information contact:
Rodger Batkin,
Accord Industries,
P0 Box 51-395,
Pakuranga,
Auckland
Ph 09 5768014
Fax: 09-5766019

For further information about Cleaner Production in the Metal Industry see:

Opus International Consultants (September 1997): Cleaner Production Guide for the Metal Industry- Minimising waste, reducing costs and caring for the environment.