BIN Extras

Extra info, pics, and more that relate to articles in the current issue.

Every issue, we research thoroughly for each article. Very often we end up with extra information that, while we would love to include it in the articles, there sadly isn't room.

But we've found a solution. This page is your source for extra information, photos, and more--cool and interesting things that could not be included in the printed magazine. This page is updated with every new issue, so be sure to check back every time a new issue comes out (bi-monthly).

Below you can find the January/February Extras. For Extras from previous issues, please click here.

January/February 2009 Extras

Natural Elements

Top Five Recommendations Provided to Manufacturers for Pollution Prevention

1. Environmental management system (EMS)

   An environmental management system (EMS) identifies the potential environmental impacts resulting from a manufacturer’s operations and activities and provides a mechanism to reduce significant environmental impacts over time. Implementing an EMS requires the systematic identification of legal and regulatory requirements applicable to a facility and assists with ensuring all requirements are met. Therefore, an EMS can directly result in improved environmental compliance and performance, increased efficiency, reduced costs through pollution prevention and resource conservation, and an enhanced image with the public, regulators, lenders and investors. Additionally, an EMS may result in new customers and markets, enhanced employee morale, and improved communication regarding environmental issues inside and outside the facility.

2. Compressed air systems

   Compressed air systems are the most expensive use of energy in many manufacturing facilities. Facilities have been able to save 15-25 percent on their energy bills through properly operating and maintaining their compressed air systems.

   • The ideal pressure setting for compressed air systems is 100 psi but many facilities adjust the pressure to 115 psi or higher. For every 2 psi dropped in pressure, the air compressor would use 1 percent less energy.
   • Air leaks can be very expensive and difficult to locate. A $100 per year leak can not be felt or heard. A $400 per year leak can be felt but not heard. A $700 per year leak can be felt and heard. An ultrasonic leak detector is the fastest and most efficient way to find all of the leaks in a compressed air system.
   • Reducing the air temperature of an air compressor’s air intake can also save a facility 1 percent in energy usage for every five-degree drop in temperature. If indoors, bringing in outside air will reduce the temperature of the compressor’s air intake. If the air compressor is outside, a simple awning to shade the air compressor will work.
3. Lighting

   Lighting accounts for approximately 20 percent of electricity use in the U.S. Several opportunities for improvement include:

   • Replacing incandescent exit signs with light emitting diode (LED) bulbs.
   • Installing high pressure sodium lights rated at 250 - 1100 Watts per bulb.
   • Converting all lighting in a facility to T8 fluorescent bulbs with a color temperature of 5,000 Kelvin. These bulbs can save a considerable amount on a facility’s energy bill and have been shown to improve employee productivity by reducing headaches and eyestrain.
   • Installing infrared detectors in offices, storage areas, break rooms and other rooms that are not in constant use. These detectors identify heat sources and turn on when the room is occupied, resulting in a potential electricity reduction of 15 to 30 percent.
4. Paints, solvents, glues and lubricants

   Many manufacturers use paints, solvents, glues and lubricants that are high in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). A suggested pollution prevention opportunity is for facilities to replace these products with low or no VOC/HAP products. Finding alternative products has the potential to reduce the VOC/HAP emissions from a facility and may also reduce a facility’s regulatory requirements.

5. Vending machines

   Vending machines are often overlooked when it comes to energy consumption; however, one vending machine usually costs $300 per year in electricity. One way to reduce their electricity consumption is to have the vending machines de-lamped. To notify the users that the machine is working, a decal can be conspicuously placed on the machine stating, “This Machine Is Operational. Lights Turned Off to Save Energy.” De-lamping refrigerated vending machines can save $100 per year in electricity. Another way to save energy is to install smart controls for vending machines. These controls are simply a small plug-and-play device that installs in minutes, either on the wall or on the vending machine that controls and monitors the vending machine. These controls turn on the power to the machine when someone walks up to it or when the temperature in the vending machine reaches a certain temperature. Smart controls on refrigerated vending machines can save up to $150 per year per machine in electricity. Smart controls on non-refrigerated snack machines can save up to $50 per year per machine in electricity.

Source: Indiana Department of Environmental Management

Lifelong Learning

AARP Employee Job Search Tools
Click here to view the Job Search Tools.

From Here to There

Click here to download the Indiana Logistics Summit PowerPoint.

Click here to visit the Indiana Logistics Summit website.

Mass Production

Click here to download Indiana's Global Exports Report for 2008 in a PDF format. (Also available here.)

Be sure to check back next issue for more extras!