1999 Pollution Prevention Award

BHP Coated Steel Wins 1999 Pollution Prevention Award

Chicago, IL – BHP Coated Steel in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, was the recipient of the 1999 NCCA Pollution Prevention Award for their EDM Water Treatment Program. The award,which was given at the NCCA Fall Meeting, October 6-8, 1999 at the Westin O'Hare in Rosemont, IL, was created to promote awareness for environmentally responsible initiatives among active, associate and affiliate members of NCCA.

For the past three years the waste treatment system at BHP has evolved from struggling to handle three separate waste streams to efficiently processing two main streams and one side stream. In the past, there was no separation of streams entering the clarifier. Today, BHP processes the caustic and oily wasted separately from the concentrated chrome waste. This separation not only allows for improved compliance, but allows greater flexibility in choosing the most economical programs.

Several months prior, the process of cleaning the raw material changed. A more concentrated cleaner with a more effective surfactant package was implemented. With this change came the need to add more than the usual amount of anti-foam. The strong surfactant package coupled with the increased amount of anti-foam created a difficult situation for water treatment. Even though the regulatory agencies were satisfied, BHP continued to look for a way to improve the water leaving the facility, and the local regulatory agency requested a reduction in oil from BHP by the next quarterly report.

BHP conducted two separate and thorough trials to meet this goal. Within the second trial, BHP found a procedure that was both more economical and environmentally sound. An important success was the return on investment (ROI). After several weeks of the second trial, BHP determined that the estimated savings for their water treatment program was far greater than predicted.

The benefits returned to the environment (ROE) were also successful. By reducing the pounds of chemicals used to treat their waste, BHP eliminated handling, discharge and disposal of the by-products which ultimately saves the environment from accepting the direct number of pounds not used.

NCCA would like to congratulate BHP Coated Steel, and all the participants, for their excellent contributions to the Pollution Prevention Program. The award recognizes success in minimizing the generation of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. NCCA hopes to encourage information sharing and further raise the level of commitment to implementing environmentally sound and superior programs.

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