On the flipside, manufacturers also discussed the many challenges they are facing. One major issue facing local manufacturers is compliance with the European Union’s Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) program. Companies that sell chemical-based products to Europe will soon be required to disclose risk management measures and human and environmental safety measures to achieve comprehensive information and management systems for chemicals. Being in a global market means more energy must be expended to comply with the requirements of those countries. 

Another issue facing local manufacturers is the lack of outlets for recycling materials. Certain materials such as cardboard, paper, and metals are readily recycled by many vendors. However, with other process wastes such as sand and sawdust, it is sometimes more difficult to find a recycling facility that will accept these materials in the quantities and conditions generated by the manufacturing facilities. The Ohio EPA’s Office of Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention (OCAPP) website provides a number of recycling companies for various materials. In addition, there are material exchanges where businesses can post an advertisement for unwanted materials or can search the database for companies that are requesting certain unwanted materials. The Hamilton County Solid Waste Management District’s (District) materials exchange program, The Interchange, is available for free to local businesses for posting unwanted materials. Visit www.hcdoes.org/sw/interchange.htm to list unwanted materials or inquire about listed materials.

The best approach to waste is to apply pollution prevention techniques to reduce or eliminate the waste before it is generated. After all options are exhausted, only then should recycling be considered. The District provides free solid waste assessments, and TechSolve provides pollution prevention assessments to help local business discover new methods to reduce or eliminate waste. Pollution prevention not only helps to reduce waste, but can also:

• Eliminate hazardous materials from the business;

• Reduce operating costs associated with waste disposal, handling, managing, testing, and storage;

• Minimize company liability, particularly for hazardous materials; and

• Provide a safer workplace and assist businesses in their green journey.

Businesses are encouraged to examine the wastes that are being disposed in an average year and the associated costs with disposing those wastes. Often times the business is surprised by the amount of waste being generated and the actual costs incurred to dispose of them. The actual cost of waste not only includes the disposal costs, but also ancillary costs such as labor used to process the waste, loss of raw materials, and the process energy lost in the generation of scrap product. According to a fact sheet published by Ohio EPA entitled “Waste: What Is It Really Costing You?” only about 15 percent of the actual waste cost is the disposal cost. So when calculating your business’ annual waste costs, add an additional 85 percent and determine how much the waste is actually costing the company. It may surprise you. For more information, visit http://www.epa.state.oh.us/ocapp/recycle.html.