C2769 - Greens Industries - Tapmakers - Waikato
Region
Summary
Greens Industries has examined opportunities for recycling and reducing waste
from its foundry and powder coating operations. Solvents are now being recycled,
accumulated sand has been removed from the site and graphite is now being
dewatered.
Business Profile
Greens Industries is a foundry operation specialising in the production of
tap ware. A significant part of the business includes the production of wheelbarrows.
Type of Project
Energy efficiency, recycling and site management.
Reasons for Project
Greens Industries have a strong commitment to integrating environmental management
into sound business practice. By establishing procedures to monitor and reduce
energy and material consumption, the company can significantly reduce its
operational costs thereby improving its competitive position.
The Project
Electricity
| Details |
As a
foundry operation Greens is a major energy consumer. Electricity
use is now monitored continuously. |
| Economics |
The installation
of a continuous energy monitoring system has cost $1800 with
a pay back period of 18 months. |
| Benefits |
Peak energy demand
has been lowered allowing for a competitive tariff to be
negotiated with the local electricity supplier. |
| Problems |
Energy demand must
be effectively managed to avoid incurring high costs associated
with exceeding negotiated levels. |
Site management
| Details |
Used
sand and other by-products of the foundry process had been
accumulating in an unmanaged fashion in the yard area. Some
600 tonnes of sand and other material were removed from the
site. The area was then grassed and planted with trees. |
| Economics |
The cost of material
removal and disposal is estimated at$7500 |
| Benefits |
Staff now have a
pleasant place to have lunch and hold summer social functions.
The company benefits from an aesthetically pleasing environment
and a system for effectively managing wastes. |
Solvent Recovery
| Details |
The
company uses tricholorethane as a solvent for precleaning
in the painting operation. A local solvent recycling operation
had been established and the solvent was able to be refined
and returned or use. |
| Economics |
The cost of recycled
solvents is the same as that for a new product. However the
company would have been eventually faced with the cost of
dealing with the stored solvent. |
| Benefits |
The company no longer
has to store used solvent and the supply of recycled solvent
is regular. |
Further projects
| Details |
Greens
is currently evaluating two further projects. One involves
the dewatering of the graphite solution, with the reuse of
the water on gardens. The second project involves identifying
potential uses or users for spent powder from the powder
coating process. |
| Economics |
It is expected that
some cost savings will result although no figures have been
identified. |
Applicability to other businesses
Some of these projects could be adopted by other businesses in the foundry
industry. The energy and recycling projects have wider applicability.
For additional information contact:
John Lewis
Greens Industries
279 Kahikatea Drive
HAMILTON
Telephone: (07) 846 0850
Fax: (07) 846 0867
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