Search the EPA Research Database

Project title

Cleaning Up Our Act

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Alert Packaging Ltd.

Lead Applicant

Sheila Farrell

Project Abstract

Alert Packaging is a privately owned company specialisingin the manufacturing of bags and the printing andlaminating of packaging using solvent based inks. Itsclients are predominantly in the food processing sector.Alert set out to reduce their losses of solvent and toimprove their management of waste materials. Solventswere lost to evaporation during plant and equipmentcleaning processes; during decanting procedures; inaccidental spillages by plant personnel; and in evaporationfrom open-top containers. Alert set out to achieve asealed process in handling the solvent containing inks.They discussed the problem with their suppliers andchanged the packaging used for ink supply. Combiningthis with changed cleaning procedures and modified inkdistribution to the presses they achieved a solventreduction of 30% exceeding their target of 20%.Achieving improved waste management focused ontraining the Alert Packaging workforce to implement anumber of new work practices and operating procedures.Staff were trained to identify the different types of plasticin use and ensure they were segregated. Following theirchanges in practice Alert changed from landfilling all theirwaste to diverting 79% of their waste from landfillavoiding landfill charges. In some cases Alert were nowable to sell their waste.

Grant Approved

�70,971.00

Research Hub

Cleaner Production - Green Enterprise - Innovation and Demonstration

Research Theme

n/a

Start Date

n/a

Initial Projected Completion Date

n/a