Forestry
Forest Stewardship Council - information on Certification.
Smartwood - endorsed by the Forest Stewardship Council. It is the oldest certification program in the world, program of the Rainforest Alliance.
Issued: December 2002
Small Business Technical Assistance Program
Contacts: Roy Krout, Julie Churchill
1-800-789-9802 (toll-free) or 207-287-8550
roy.t.krout@maine.gov
Small Business Assistance
For: Wood Products Businesses
Benefits/Background: The following is a list of some important requirements as well as helpful suggestions for best managing your business to help reduce your costs, reduce waste, keep hazardous substances out of the environment and protect your health. Although all may not be applicable to your specific business, please read through and check how your business is doing.
Hazardous Materials/Hazardous Waste: Finishing of wood products commonly generates hazardous wastes. These wastes can be ignitable and/or toxic! These chemical wastes require an EPA generator's identification number and specific handling and disposal in accordance with Maine's Hazardous Waste Management Regulations. Some commonly generated hazardous wastes include:
- Thinner, clean-up solvents, still bottoms
- Stains, sealers, lacquers
- Paints, paint-related materials
- Lacquer dust, rags, spray booth filters
- Cleaning solvents
Possible Wastewater Discharges (may require permission to discharge)
Process water
Sanitary water
Storm water
Floor drains
Where does the water go?
Holding tank
Municipal sewer system
Septic system
Ground surface
Air Emissions (may require Maine Department of Environmental Protection licensing.)
Is a license required, based on potential to emit?
Is the business inventory of chemicals used kept up to date?
Potential worker health and chemical exposure issues (see Safetyworks! program below.)
Pollution Prevention
Sources for pollution prevention information and environmentally preferable purchasing options specific for the woods product industry, in addition to other businesses can be found at http://www.p2gems.org.
The STAR program (Spray Technique Analysis and Research or STAR) focuses on improving the efficiency of manual spray coating by analysis of painter's spray technique.
Some tips include…
- Knowing your business has handled chemicals and wastes properly also reduces concerns for you and lets your clients know your business cares. Careless management of fluids can cause leaks or spills, and lead possibly to groundwater contamination and costly clean ups. Keep up a good track record!
- Increase transfer efficiency by using HVLP (high volume low pressure) spray guns.
- Switching to or increased use of alternative coatings, such as waterborne or UV-cured can often reduce hazardous waste generation. Waterborne coatings provide some benefits: Low flammability, cleanup using soap and water, emission of fewer toxins, lowering need for ventilating air flows, higher solids content, and more durable finish than solvent coatings. UV-cured coatings provide some benefits: Fire and explosion risks are minimized, extremely durable, cure rapidly upon exposure to UV light, reduced cleanup requirements, and as-applied coating costs can be lower.
- Determine what hazardous wastes your business may generate and how much each month. Prevent pollution by striving to minimize or eliminate the waste stream.
Our Small Business Assistance Program at DEP offers free on-site assistance services under our protective Small Business Compliance Incentives Policy. This policy provides protection from regulatory enforcement, in addition to clear time frames for correcting possible violations. On-site business visits are typically helpful, low stress, and designed to give clear and helpful information related directly to the individual small business at their location. A summary letter from the assistance staff, following the visit/consult provides a status and recommendations for your business in an easy to understand format. The program staff is also a contact for pollution prevention and compliance information, if you prefer other than on-site assistance. Call us toll-free at 1-800-789-9802 to find out more.
Other free assistance can be provided by our Maine Dept.of Labor, Safetyworks! program to help with air sampling, noise monitoring, ergonomic assessment, as well as general safety and health consultation. Contact David Wacker, Director of Workplace Health and Safety (phone number: 624-6400), for information regarding a free audit to assist your small business to be in compliance with worker safety issues.
This guide sheet is provided by the Small Business Assistance Program at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for assistance with pollution prevention and regulatory compliance efforts. Drafted in December, 2002.
