Forum Standing Committee Working Groups

Substitution and Alternatives
Case studies - Examples

  • Healthy Business Strategies for Transforming the Toxic Chemical Economy
    A Clean Production Action Report
    Case Studies in Transforming the Toxic Chemical Economy
    • Kaiser Permanente: Healthy Patients, Workers and Communities
    • Interface Fabric: Benign by Design
    • H&M: Fashion Chemistry
    • Herman Miller: Healthy Chairs
    • Avalon Natural Products: Consciousness in Cosmetics
    • Dell, Inc.: Mainstreaming the Precautionary Principle

Substitution of Hazardous Chemicals in Products and Processes
Final Report (March 2003)
Report compiled for the Directorate General Environment, Nuclear Safety and Civil Protection of the Commission of the European Communities
Prepared by: Lohse J, Lissner, L

2.6 Case studies
- Metal parts cleaning
- Cleaning of facades
- Textiles cleaning in laundries
- Marine anti-fouling coatings
- Wood preservation
- Flame retardants in circuit boards
- Loss lubrication in inland waters
- Mould release agents
- Rechargeable batteries
- Phthalates in toys

  • Partnership Projects – Design for the Environment Program
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Projects (list 20 September 2007)
    * Automotive Refinishing
    * Flame Retardants in Printed Circuit Boards
    * Formulator
    * Furniture Flame Retardancy
    * Lead-Free Solder
    * Nail Salons
    * Wire & Cable
    * Adhesives Technology
    * Computer Display
    * Garment & Textile Care
    * Industrial & Institutional Laundry
    * Integrated Environmentsl Management Systems
    * Printing Partnership Programs
    * Printed Wiring Board

Scania: 3 documents in English and Swedish
"Scania designs its products to have the lowest possible impact on the environment. They are optimised to consume less energy, raw materials and chemical during their life cycle and to be recyclable."

  • Massachusetts Toxic Use Reduction Institute
    has several databases on substitution.

    “The value of this study to Massachusetts companies is that it provides practical guidance for companies and consumers, helping them understand the tradeoffs between using each alternative for their particular need,” said Michael Ellenbecker, Director of TURI and Professor of Industrial Hygiene at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

    Background
    In July of 2005, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts requested that the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) conduct a scientific study to assess safer alternatives for the following five toxic or hazardous chemicals:
    Lead
    Formaldehyde
    Perchloroethylene (PCE)
    Hexavalent chromium
    di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)
    TURI developed an “alternatives assessment” methodology that was used to evaluate the technical, economic, and environmental, health and safety feasibility of alternatives to the five chemicals for selected uses.
  • UNIDO Cleaner Production Programme
    National Cleaner Production Centers (NCPCs) and National Cleaner Production Programmes (NCPPs)

    Provides links to the national cleaner production centres in many developing countries which have case studies.
  • UNEP - The Global Mercury Assessment
    The Global Mercury Assessment report responds to the request of the Governing Council of UNEP, through GC decision 21/5, that UNEP undertake a global assessment of mercury and mercury compounds, in cooperation with other members of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC)

    see Chapter 8, section 2, Substitution
  • Chemical alternatives for Screen Reclamation
    The Design for the Environment (DfE) Screen Printing Project is a cooperative effort between the screen printing industry and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help screen printers improve their performance to protect the environment. Aim of the project is to provide printers information about chemical risk and pollution prevention along with performance and cost information, so that they can incorporate environmental concerns into day-to-day functioning.

    Printers, EPA, product manufacturers and the screen printing trade association are all concerned with minimizing the environmental and health hazards of screen reclamation chemicals currently used in printing shops. Through DfE, these groups worked together to evaluate alternative screen reclamation products. A total of eleven alternative chemical "systems" were evaluated. Most "systems" included an ink remover, an emulsion remover, and a haze remover.
  • Offshore Chemical Notification Scheme (OCNS)
    Substitution warning
    The Offshore Chemical Notification Scheme (OCNS) manages chemical use and discharge by the UK offshore petroleum industry.
    The substitution of harmful chemicals is an important part of the Harmonised Mandatory Control Scheme (HMCS). The UK is obliged to implement the policy to replace chemical substances identified as candidates for substitution. Products containing substitutable chemical substances are identified by the presence of a substitution warning placed on the product template.
    CEFAS Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science
  • The SubChem project
    Sustainable substitution of hazardous chemicals
    Program of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

    Precautionary action and substitution are aspects that feature among the principles of the future EU chemicals policy. To this end instruments need to be developed to stimulate autonomous and market-controlled substitution processes and also to evaluate substances and take decisions. Frequently the use of substitutes has also proven to be just as problematic, or the required substitutes cannot be found, as the available information concerning alternatives is too incomplete. New instruments for risk assessment and also for risk management are therefore required in order to master the situation safely. Improved communication and co-operation between chemicals manufacturers, commercial users of chemicals and the other actors in the relevant innovation system are also decisive factors to eliminate hazardous chemicals from products and production processes. This objective of [riw] is a contribution to this goal.
  • Background and Main Issues,
    In addition to our basic theoretical work concerning assessment of chemicals, risk management and the structure and function of innovation systems, we would like to examine, in co-operation with our partners in industry and research, the effectiveness of various approaches to Substitution of Hazardous Substances. The possible actors involved in innovation systems and our various approaches will be illustrated by 13 Cases. We will attempt a try retrospective analysis, involving the re-examination of successful and unsuccessful cases of Hazardous Substances Substitution in the recent past, and as well as ongoing progressive studies, examining current innovation processes.
  • Substitution of Hazardous Chemicals in the Work Environment
    Frode Soerensen
    Experiences with substitution will be presented for organic solvents in metal degreasing, bonding with adhesives, soldering and removal of flux in electronics industry, lubrication, cutting fluids, constructions paints and cleaning of offset printing machines, and for other hazardous chemicals such as epoxy resins, polyurethanes (isocyanates) and acrylates in coatings and adhesives, quartz sand for blasting, cadmium, fluor and boron compounds in soldering and brazing, and cyanides, nickel, and chromates in electroplating.
  • Skin Deep
    A safety guide to cosmetics and personal care products brought to you by researchers at the Environmental Working Group.
    Skin Deep pairs ingredients in nearly 25,000 products against 50 definitive toxicity and regulatory databases, making it the largest integrated data resource of its kind.
  • Joint Group on Pollution Prevention (JG-PP) - Project Matrix
    USA
    JG-PP is a partnership between the Military Services, NASA, DLA, and DCMA, chartered by the JLC to reduce or eliminate HazMats or processes within the acquisition and sustainment communities. By establishing these partnerships, JG-PP addresses the common problems through shared efforts to produce joint solutions.
    . identifies shared opportunities,
    . facilitates partnerships,
    . facilitates qualification requirements,
    . reduces duplication of effort,
    . reduces risk,
    . and reduces cost.

    The matrix summarizes the project, including the target chemical, alternatives and affected programs and provides links to more information on specific project.
  • Biosoluble Fibres
    doc, 2.20Mb
    A Win-Win Strategy of Regulation and Product Innovation for Quality of Work in Small and Medium Enterprises (SME)

    Rolf Packroff, Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin, Dortmund (Germany)
  • Ohio EPA (USA), Fact Sheet, Number 10
    December 1992

    Pollution Prevention
    Reductions in the Use of 1,1,1-Trichloroethane:
    Ohio Case Studies

    1,1,1-trichloroethane is the most commonly used cleaning solvent reported under the Toxic Chemical Release Inventory in Ohio, but production will be phased out by the end of 1995.

    The following case studies represent successful efforts and cost savings in aerospace, metal container, metal and electrical parts, casting , weld inspection, silkscreen cleaning, painting and lubricant applications. The case studies document the efforts of Ohio companies to reduce or eliminate TCA. The companies have overcome obstacles and barriers to achieve this, and are willing to let others benefit from their experiences. The Ohio EPA believes these companies are pioneers in setting the standard for pollution prevention in Ohio. They are commended for their outstanding efforts.
    • Aerospace Guidance and Metrology Cente (Cleaning inertial guidance and navigation system components)
    • Ball Metal Container Division (Cleaning machine parts, die sets and printing blankets)
    • Copeland Corporation (Electric motor cold-cleaning)
    • Crown Equipment Corporation (Vapor degreasing metal parts)
    • The Duriron Company (Cleaning of wax patterns and etching operations)
    • General Dynamics Land Systems (Inspection of weld integrity)
    • Guardian Automotive Products (Cleaning on-line silkscreen machines)
    • Kovatch Castings Company (Cleaning wax patterns)
    • Liebel-Flarsheim (General metal parts cleaning)
    • The Lincoln Electric Company (Solvent based spray painting and general parts cleaning)
    • Luke Engineering & Manufacturing (General Parts Cleaning)
    • Perfection Finishers, Incorporated (General parts cleaning)
    • Republic Engineered Steels, Incorporated (Electrical and metal part cleaning and defect testing)
    • Senco Products (Solvent based staple lubricant)
    • Van Dorn Plastic Machinery Company (Machine cleaning)
  • Late lessons from early warnings: the precautionary principle 1896-2000
    Environmental issue report No 22
    European Environment Agency
    Publish date: 10 Jan 2002

    • Benzene: an historical perspective on the American and European occupational setting (Peter F. Infante)
    • MTBE in petrol as a substitute for lead (Martin Krayer von Krauss and Poul Harremoés)
    • Tributyltin (TBT) antifoulants: a tale of ships, snailsand imposex (David Santillo, Paul Johnston and William J. Langston)
  • Solvent Replacement for Green Processing
    Julie Sherman, Bain Chin, Paul D.T. Huibers, Ricard Garcia-Valls, and T. Alan Hatton
    Department of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
    Abstract
    The implementation of the Montreal Protocol, the Clean Air Act, and the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 has resulted in increased awareness of organic solvent use in chemical processing. The advances made in the search to find "green" replacements for traditional solvents are reviewed, with reference to solvent alternatives for cleaning, coatings, and chemical reaction and separation processes. The development of solvent databases and computational methods that aid in the selection and/or design of feasible or optimal environmentally benign solvent alternatives for specific applications is also discussed. -- Environ Health Perspect 106(Suppl 1) :253-271 (1998)
  • The "Five Chemicals Study"
    The study is about alternatives assessment applied to selected uses of lead, formaldehyde, DEHP, Perc and Chrome VI.
    Alternatives or options assessment is required as part of TUR Planning. The planning process focuses on industrial activities to promote safer and cleaner production and to enhance economic viability. It compiles data for current toxic materials use in production processes, and in this way areas of inefficiency are discovered. Planners then identify options or alternatives, and must then consider and assess their hazard, performance and cost. Firms then decide whether to make changes in production.
  • A compilation of successful waste reduction projects implemented by NC businesses
    Waste Reduction Resource Center
    Best References Textiles
    The textile industry is a very diverse and broad manufacturing sector. With increased global competition, many sectors within the textile industry are increasing production efficiency through technology development and a better trained workforce while working toward pollution prevention. This section provides core reference material that textile manufacturers can use to improve process efficiency and reduce waste generation.
  • Mercury Reduction Programs Database
    The Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange is a national network of regional information centers: NEWMOA (Northeast), WRRC (Southeast), GLRPPR (Great Lakes), ZeroWasteNet (Southwest), P2RIC (Plains), Peaks to Prairies (Mountain), WRPPN (Pacific Southwest), PPRC (Northwest).
    Search here to find out what mercury reduction programs are taking place nationally, or add information about a program that your organization has created.
    The Mercury Reduction Programs Database was developed and maintained by Region 1 and 2’s Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association (NEWMOA). Search here to find out what mercury reduction programs are taking place nationally, or add information about a program that your organization has created.
  • Substitution works
    (list as of 1 November 2007) Companies that have adopted substitution policies for hazardous chemicals:
    Adidas / Asics / Biodur Paints / Botanicals / Bufalo Werner & Mertz / Camper / Ciel d'Azur / Chicco / Dell / Ecover / El Taller de Alqvimia / Hennes & Mauritz / Ikea / Keim-Ecopaint / L'Occitane en Provence / Lavera / Lego / Logona / Mango / Marks & Spencer / Melvitacosm / New Balance / Nike / Nokia / Playmobil / Primavera Aromatherapy / Puma / Reebok / Samsung / Sante / Skanska / Sonett / Sony Ericsson / The Body Shop / Wala/Dr Hauschka / Weleda
  • Greenlist system
    SC Johnson and Son, Inc. has pioneered its patented (and licensable at no cost) Greenlist system for ranking chemicals and reducing the environmental footprint of its products.

    “The manufacturing and packaging of our many products requires literally thousands of raw materials. Our goal is a significant annual increase in the use of those that are environmentally preferred. While our facilities around the world already meet or exceed government requirements, we plan to measure ourselves against a much higher internal standard. Through Greenlist™, our own patent-applied-for process, we are using internationally recognized information sources such as the ECOTOX database to classify all the ingredients that go into our products according to their impact on the environment and human health. Each is evaluated as part of the Greenlist™ process and given a rating of 3 for "Best", 2 for "Better", 1 for "Acceptable" and 0 for "Restricted Use Material" (RUM). These are utilized to compute cumulative scores that managers are challenged to increase each year. We are currently conducting initial screenings for the six material categories that constitute 80% of what we buy and sell: surfactants (detergents), solvents, propellants, insecticides, resins and packaging.”

Lowell Center for Sustainable Production

  • Mercury in products
    UNEP Chemicals
    Mercury Programme

    The objective of this partnership is to reduce or eliminate mercury in products where effective and cost-efficient substitutes exist as well as reduce releases during manufacturing, industrial processes and disposal. Key product areas identified under this partnership area include: batteries, dental amalgams, measuring and control (largely medical sector), electric and electronic switches, flourescent lamps, cosmetics
  • Like Sugar for Poison: Glucose as a Substitute for Benzene
    Environmental Health Perspectives Volume 103, Number 6, June 1995
    Glucose, the body's main fuel, is found in certain foods and also formed by the breakdown of sugars and starches. It may one day be a replacement for benzene, a highly regulated compound that is ubiquitous in the chemical industry (12 billion pounds were produced in the United States in 1993). Benzene helps make jeans blue--it's the feedstock for indigo dye--and ice cream vanilla flavored--it's the source of vanillin. It's also the starting point for a number of important industrial chemicals including hydroquinone, used in film developing, phenol, used to make solvents, and adipic acid, which is used to make nylon. Benzene is also a potent carcinogen.
  • Cutting Out Phthalates
    Polyvinyl chloride applications haven't been flexible enough to accept alternatives to phthalate esters
    C&EN: Chemicals and Engineering News
    Alexander H. Tullo
    Phthalate esters, used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) flexible, face a handful of prohibitive regulations and a ton of bad publicity. Although controversy over phthalates has helped spur some substitution by other products—as well as replacement of PVC by other polymers—the cost-effective plasticizers are still entrenched in many regions.
  • Dry Cleaning Dreams
    Michael McCoy
    Numerous contenders seek to unseat perchloroethylene as the top dry cleaning solvent
  • Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance
    North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (USA)
    Industrial and Commercial Case Studies
    Case studies describe a pollution prevention program, process or procedure that a business, industry or government facility has undertaken which resulted in significant pollution reduction and/or cost savings. DPPEA has compiled a collection of pollution prevention case studies from our office and other regional sources. This page allows you to search for case studies by SIC Code and industry sector, by pollution prevention category, or from a list of selected waste streams, processes and pollutants … and key word
  • Mercury Substitution Priority Working List
    An Input to Global Considerations on Mercury Management
    Nordic Council of Ministers
    May 2007
    The objectives of the study were to create a first draft concept of a mercury substitution priority working list with global relevance, to serve as help in mutual communication and discussion of possible global mercury reductions, and a tool for a step-wise reduction development, if desired politically. Intended to serve as a first draft concept to be further discussed and evaluated by interested parties as a part of the work of the Open-ended Work Group considering legal and other initiatives on mercury established under the auspices of UNEP
  • PVC Products and non-PVC alternatives
    PVC Information.org
    “This website was created by representatives of environmental health groups including Clean Production Action, the Healthy Building Network, and the Center for Health, Environment and Justice - all based in the USA. These groups are part of a coalition of more than 100 environmental health and justice organizations working to reform the chemical industry until it is no longer a source of harm to the environment and public health. One of the coalition's primary goals is to educate the public on the hazards of polyvinyl chloride and to work with industry, government and companies to develop and buy safe alternatives to PVC plastic.” The website contains links to numerous documents and materials; a sampling is listed below.
  • PVC-free Medical products
    Health Care Without Harm
    An indepth resource for alternatives to PVC-free medical equipment and products Search Health Care Without Harm library for information on alternates and case studies.
  • Economics of Phasing Out PVC
    by F. Ackerman and R. Massey of Tufts University (2003)
    This analysis of past models and current predictions of the phase out costs and benefits to workers and manufacturers of PVC-free alternatives.
  • healthy homes - healthy communities - the healthy habitat: a report -
    The Healthy Habitat: A project of Greenpeace and the Healthy Building Network Bruce Hampton, author, Healthy Building Network/Elton Hampton Architects Rick Hind and Lisa Finaldi, editor
    2005
    The goal of this project was to build an affordable PVC-free house within a typical Habitat budget less than $60,000. To document the construction, produced a short video and report on lessons learned and ways to build additional PVC-free homes.
  • Clean Car Campaign
    Many car manufacturers are phasing out PVC use. Find out which companies are moving to safer materials.