Pollution Prevention

Spray Guns -- Reduce overspray and the amount of product used:

Properly train to operators to hold gun perpendicular to the surface and trigger gun at the beginning and end of each pass.

Use air-assisted airless spray guns in place of air-spray guns.

Use high volume/low pressure (HVLP) spray guns.

Catalysts -- Reduce emissions and product use:

Use benzoyl peroxide (BPO) in place of MEKP.

Use higher amounts of cobalt & DMA in place of MEKP.

Use higher amounts of inert filler.

Engineering Controls -- Reduce product use:

Install gel coat timing equipment.

Reduce laminate thickness to engineered minimum.

Use heaters in production area to improve process efficiency.

Alternative Processes -- Reduce emissions and product use:

Convert from open molding to a closed-mold system (infusion, vacuum, or resin transfer molding).

Install an impregnator system.

Install resin rollers.

Use ABS-backed acrylic sheets in place of fiber lay-up.

Employ optimal materials, methods and equipment to minimize use of raw materials.

Heat the resin to reduce viscosity.

Alternative Resins -- Reduce emissions and product consumption:

Use resin with lower styrene content.

Convert to UV cure resins to reduce resin waste and cleaning requirements due to hardening of the resin from air exposure.

Use vapor-suppressed or vinyl toluene resins.

Use inert fillers to replace some of the resin content.

Best Management Practices

Tool and Equipment Clean-Up

Allow solvent to become dirtier before disposing or recycling.

Install additional spray lines to reduce the need for clean-out.

Install disposable liners in buckets.

Install gun cleaning tank/unit.

Install two-bucket wash; one clean and one dirty.

Keep lids on soaking buckets.

Ration solvent or other material.

Reduce the number of cleaning buckets.

Remove solid resin by hand prior to solvent wash.

Use disposable rollers or brushes.

Operating Practices

Improve customer knowledge of "environmentally friendly" alternative products.

Improve housekeeping and maintenance.

Improve inventory controls and/or purchasing practices.

Improve production schedule to maximize process efficiency.

Improve tracking system to account for substance use and waste generation.

Improve worker training/awareness.

Acetone Alternatives and Recovery

Use citrus-based solvent.

Use diacetone alcohol.

Use dibasic acid ester.

Use emulsifiers.

Use ethyl ethoxypropionate.

Use isopropanol.

Use propylene carbonate.

Use uncatalyzed resin to flush lines.

Use a batch still to recover acetone.

Waste Management

Decant and reuse spent solvent.

Install on-site distillation unit, and then grind and reuse still bottoms in "putty".

Recover waste fiberglass dust from floors and vacuum systems before it becomes contaminated, and reuse in finished products.

Utilize a Materials Exchange to find end uses for fiberglass scrap (For example: See IFE Fiberglass Recycling Exchange).

Storage and Housekeeping

Keep lids on products and wastes, and store them so they can be easily inspected for leaks.

Keep labels on products and wastes to quickly identify them and to prevent accidental mixing.

Use curbs, pans or buckets to catch any possible leaks or spills.

Keep work areas and walkways free of tripping hazards and obstructions.

Stack containers so they can't tip, puncture or break.

Store empty drums and containers under rain cover.

Inventory Control

Have Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) available and accessible.

Buy and store only the amount of product that is needed.

Purchase products in rinsable, recyclable containers with a minimal amount of packaging.

Ration solvents or other products to minimize use.

Training and Awareness

Train workers about regulations, emergency procedures, health and safety issues, and reduction alternatives.

Follow routine procedures for mixing, transferring, and applying gel coats and laminates, and for cleaning tools.

Use proper insulation of electric circuitry, and inspect it regularly.

Have first aid supplies, spill equipment, and emergency phone numbers accessible for use.

Have respirators, gloves, and other personal protective gear available to workers.