Control and reduction of volatile liquids in high risk industries

Major Graphics Printers Pty Ltd

Major Graphics strive to maintain an ecologically sustainable printing shop. Their policy is to remove chemicals that enter the sewerage system by using processes that do not require liquid discharge.

Zero waste to the sewer or the stormwater system

Major Graphics use environmentally friendly cleaning products for their presses. The supplier of these Australian-made cleaning products maintains that they are made from renewable food grade materials. Their Environmental White Gum Washout does not contain petroleum hydrocarbons and is a totally natural product that is safer to use. A secondary bonus is that these chemicals remove ink effectively without causing skin irritations.

All press cleaning products are then drained into a container and removed by a liquid waste recycling company. This removes the need for a Sydney Water Trade Waste licence and prevents discharge into the oceans.

As with the other companies in this Manual no hosing down of areas in and around the company takes place. This prevents any contaminants being accidentally washed into the stormwater drain.

Vegetable-Based Inks

Vegetable-based inks offer a practical alternative to conventional inks. They contain a significantly reduced amount of volatile oils compared to conventional inks and remove the reliance on petroleum based products.

Contact: Bob Major on ph: (02) 9979 7985

 

Mobil Service Station


Following a directive on environmental management from the Head Office of Mobil, the staff at the service station on Condamine St Manly Vale implemented procedures on environmental protection. Service stations and car repair workshops are often seen as high risk to catchment water quality due to the amount of volatile liquids and oils stored and used on site.

To reduce this risk the company have installed easy to use devices to contain spills, before they enter the stormwater system, and identify problems before they occur, these include:
    • Staff training on pollution prevention
    • Absorbent powder for minor spills
    • ‘Pillows’ of absorbent material for medium spills
    • Absorbent booms to contain major spills until Emergency services arrive
    • All wash water in the car workshop drains through the oil separator tank
    • Underground petrol tanks are tested weekly for water content. This checking identifies
    possible leaks both in and out of the tank
    • The station accepts waste oil from customers as an incentive to reduce illegal dumping. This
    is then taken away for recycling
    • The forecourt is swept clean not hosed

Simple initiatives such as these are inexpensive precautions in the prevention of liquid discharges into the creeks Contact: Rosanne Gilmore ph: (02) 9949 3577

 
Hum Cafe


The Hum Cafe is based in the central business district of Manly. The cafe is small, (40 sqm) and seats approximately 20 people. The type of food on the menu is all uncooked, rather, the cafe specialises in gourmet sandwiches, focaccia, coffees, teas and desserts.

The cafe presents an environmentally aware image, promoting the environment with material such as anti-mining literature and information on current local events. No hosing of litter or otherwise takes place in or around the cafe.

Waste Management

The cafe owners are concerned over the amount of waste that can be generated by even a small cafe. They have therefore implemented a number of waste reduction strategies and are examining further methods to attain zero waste, for example:
    • Buying in bulk
    • They are keen to compost or worm farm the bio-waste.
    • Coffee grounds are composted at the local community garden
    • Glass, paper and PET plastic are all recycled and collected free by Manly Council
    • Milk and bread crates are reused
    • Reusable plastic storage containers are used instead of plastic wrap, aluminium foil and
    plastic bags for storage

Containers that arrive holding gourmet ingredients are re-used within the shop or donated to the local Food Co-op. The owners have approached the wholesaler about the viability of re-using the containers, however they are unable to do this due to strict OH&S regulations.

Disposable Containers

The proprietors of Hum are opposed to the use of take-away containers for both environmental and economic reasons. They have therefore introduced a number of initiatives.

Two ‘bring your own cup’ promotions have been run in conjunction with Richard’s Chocolates and World Environment Day. ‘Bring your own cup and receive a free chocolate’ not only reduced waste, it also led to a rise in sales.

Customers are still encouraged to bring their own cup, those who don’t are given waxed paper cups instead of polystyrene.

Take away food containers are not supplied. Preference is given to recycled paper bags with the sandwiches wrapped in grease-proof paper.

Contact: Neil Collis and Jo Hormer ph: (02) 9949 5477