South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

B&B Plating receives metal parts to plate with tin or silver. The process at the facility consists of plating the metal, drying, fabrication (punching holes), and shipping. There is also a wastewater treatment area at the facility where the plating water is pretreated before sending to the sewer, and sludge is generated that is sent out as hazardous waste.
During a waste assessment conducted by the Center for Waste Minimization (CWM), it was determined that B&B Plating was generating a significant amount of sludge. The CWM suggested B&B Plating use a sludge dryer to reduce the amount of sludge that is being generated at the facility and sent out as hazardous waste. B&B Plating purchased a sludge dryer and was able to reduce the hazardous waste shipped from their facility by 50%.

Many homeowners wonder how they can reduce their electricity bill.  This success story is about a person who asked the Center for Waste Minimization how this could be done.  The CWM made some suggestions, and this homeowner added solar guard to the attic, turned the thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit and kept it at that constant temperature, put blackout and dark curtains on the windows, and unplugged all electrical appliances except the refrigerator and one television and DVR when not in use.  As a result of these changes, the homeowner was able to save approximately $324.16 with a reduction of 3473 kwh when comparing August 2007 to August 2008.

Agrium US Inc. manufacturers fertilizer for use on farms for crops such as corn and tobacco.  The process consists of mixing dry and liquid raw materials, drying, cooling, and scrubbing.  The fertilizer is packaged in 50-pound bags, one-ton sacks, and transported by bulk truck or rail.

Excess nutrients from this process were found in storm water samples, and Agrium was asked to reduce this occurrence. Seeking assistance for a solution, Agrium contacted the Center for Waste Minimization (CWM) for suggestions on changes they could make.  The CWM offered several suggestions to Agrium, and the facility implemented some of them.  After making these changes, Agrium was able to see a 400% drop in nutrients in their storm water, thus improving the quality of South Carolina’s water.

Agrium is also pursuing further reductions and has stated that they “may need additional expertise to further our reduction of solid waste here at the Hartsville Plant.  We will contact the Center.”