Sector Assessments

An Analysis of Pollution Prevention Opportunities and Impediments in the Wood Products Manufacturing Sector in Georgia

Introduction

The purpose of this report is to identify the specific causes of waste generation, and cost-effective solutions that will reduce waste in the wood products industry in Georgia. The benefits of reducing waste are reduced pollution and decreased operating cost to the business. Releases of high-priority toxic chemicals are the primary focus of this report, but other significant solid and liquid wastes will be included. Barriers exist that limit the implementation of pollution prevention projects and technologies. Barriers, and strategies to overcome them will also be discussed in this report.

Methodology

Review of trade and environmental publications indicated that the processes responsible for the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) releases are wood finishing and use of glues to bond wood together. Businesses that are likely to use these processes were identified by using the Georgia Manufacturing Directory. Not all wood products manufacturers were the focus of this study. Only those manufacturers were included in this study that:

• use common processes that could release toxic materials to the environment and/or
• employ a large workforce in Georgia and/or
• there were a large number of similar manufacturers in Georgia

This approach was taken to identify problems and solutions that are most significant in Georgia. Georgia wood products manufacturers that met these requirements were surveyed to identify specific processes, waste reduction activities, sources of waste reduction information, and barriers to pollution prevention encountered by these businesses. The survey, selection of manufacturers to participate in the survey, and survey results were prepared by Georgia State University, School of Urban Studies. The response rate for the survey was 15.7% or 97 of the 619 total manufacturers. Some companies that responded to the survey were visited to observe how processes were used and to gather information about waste problems other than toxic or hazardous waste. Plant visits were made to nine wood products manufacturers. Quantitative information was gathered on the various chemicals and raw materials used and disposed. The results of this study are presented in this document.

Summary

The following key issues were identified as a result of this study through the survey, contacts with Georgia wood products facility personnel, facility tours, interviews with industry experts, and review of various trade and environmental publications.

• Lack of Facility Pollution Prevention Programs
• Lack of Engineering Resources
• Waste Generation from Spray Application of Coatings
• VOC Emissions from Solvent-based Coatings
• VOC Emissions from Solvent-based Contact Adhesives
• VOC Emissions from Solvent-based Construction Adhesives
• Solid Waste Generation

---VOC ---Volatile Organic Compound

The Georgia Pollution Prevention Assistance Division (P²AD) will assist Georgia wood products manufacturers in addressing these key issues by developing various programs. The approach that P²AD will take is to identify existing resources that address organizational, technical, and research needs. Georgia wood products manufacturers can benefit from developing facility pollution prevention programs. Few wood products manufacturers have pollution prevention programs; those that have programs demonstrate significant waste reduction. P²AD can assist manufacturers by contacting them through vendors, trade organizations, or business organizations to provide information on up-to-date technologies and the benefits of pollution prevention planning. Demonstration projects showing the applicability of new technologies such as water-based coating in the wood products industry can also be an effective information transfer tool.