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Last updated:
May 03, 2001
Schroll Cabinets
Address - 821 Bradley Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82001
Phone: (307) 632-4278, FAX 634-7537
Contact - John Schroll
Product or Service - Custom wood cabinets for residential and commercial use
Number of Employees - 75-100 employees operating five days/week, two shifts/day
Waste Stream Targeted: Lacquer finish
Summary
- Schroll Cabinets evaluated their finishing processes and implemented changes in the application of their finish coats to be more efficient, environmentally sound and compatible with their new HVLP equipment.
Waste Reduction Activities
- Schroll implemented a major change in their finishing processes by converting to the highest quality HVLP equipment from the standard, less environmentally sound spray equipment they had used previously. One of the concerns in converting to HVLP equipment is in the transfer efficiency and the amount of drying time required with the new process. After the conversion to HVLP equipment, Schroll decided to convert from ta precatalytic lacquer finish to a conversion varnish finish to further enhance the implementation of the HVLP process.
Major Benefits
- Two coats of finish are applied rather than the three previously applied
- Better finish-harder than previous application method
- Faster drying time with new finish
- Reduced hazardous waste
- Positive business and environmental image
Cost Savings
- Not calculated
- Cost savings on less finish applied in labor time and materials cost
Obstacles
- Staff training time to adapt to new equipment
Key to Success in Implementing Pollution Prevention Modification
- Management support and commitment to progressive environmental practices and sound business principles.
Waste Stream Targeted: Lacquer Thinner
Summary
- Schroll Cabinets manufactures custom wood cabinets. Schroll instituted centralized dispensing of lacquer thinner (used in finishing) in addition to installing a Binks solvent still for recovery of useful toluene. They reduced their toluene usage by 67% and saved more than $2,000.
Waste Reduction Activities
- Solvent based lacquer thinners are used to clean paint equipment such as spray nozzles, guns, etc. Typical lacquer thinners are organic solvents which contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) such as toluene, xylene and methyl ethyl ketone. Spent lacquer thinner was disposed as a nonhazardous waste via solvent-covered rags. No formal management practices existed for control of amount dispensed or used. Formal management practice was instituted appointing one person as control for usage. A Binks solvent still was purchased and installed to reclaim, purify and reuse the solvent component of the lacquer thinner and catalysts.
Major Benefits
- Reduced amount of lacquer thinner used form one 55-gallon drum every three weeks to one drum every two months
- Reduced cost of lacquer thinner
- Reduced waste by controlling allocation
- Reduced hazardous waste generation, disposal costs and associated liabilities
- Positive business and environmental image
Cost Savings
- Reduced cost of toluene. Toluene costs $180 per drum
- Yearly savings of $2,040 or 67% reduction in costs
Obstacles
- None
Key to Success in Implementing Pollution Prevention Modification
- Management commitment to environmental and good management practices
- Financially feasible and quick turnaround time
Waste Stream Targeted: Sawdust and wood scraps as solid waste product
Summary
- Schroll Cabinets is planning a major plant expansion in the next one to three years and are examining their production efficiencies for environmental application in terms of recycling sawdust and wood scraps, by-products of their cabinet production.
Waste Reduction Activities
- Sawdust and wood scraps from production of cabinets are currently disposed of in the landfill as solid waste. While there is not a significant cost associated with land filing the shavings, management wants to be more efficient in their use of by-products as well sound. Efforts to recycle, sell or give away shavings have been unsuccessful in the past. A major plant expansion is in the planning stages for the next one to three years, further increasing the amount of production scheduled and shavings produced. Existing plant space is limited for storing or recycling shavings. With the increased plant size, the installation of a waste-wood-fired heating system is strongly being considered. A DECTON industrial solid fuel heating/incineration system is under consideration due to its large capacity and firing ability. The sawdust and wood scraps will be fired in the waste wood system for space heating purposes throughout the plant and for additional heat for the finishing area which will enhance the finishing process.
Major Benefits
- Reduce solid waste volume by up to 95%
- Reduce or offset natural gas costs for heating purposes
- Reduce waste by controlling allocation
- Provide additional heat in finish room; will assist in curing finish quicker
- Positive business and environmental image
Cost Savings
- Not quantified as yet. Management is aware of the capital outlay necessary to install a fuel heating and incineration system. However, they are considering the efficiency and recycling benefits against the capital outlay.
Obstacles
- Space requirements for system
- Operator training required
Key to Success in Implementing Pollution Prevention Modification
- Management support for pollution prevention efforts