REDUCING HAZARDOUS WASTE IN WISCONSIN

REPORT 111: Information: Sources, Desired Types and Formats

A Report for the Bureau of Solid and Hazardous Waste Management

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

August 1992

DNR Bureau of Management and Budget DNR Bureau of Research PUBGME-005 (92)

Dr. Elizabeth David Resource Economist Bureau of Management and Budget

Dr. Edward Nelson Resource Sociologist Bureau of Research

With the assistance of: Michael Carmen Research Assistant

For more information, contact:

Dr. Elizabeth David Bureau of Management and Budget Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources P.O. Box 7921 Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7921 (608) 266-8299

This is one of a series of reports presenting information about barriers and incentives to industrial hazardous waste reduction in Wisconsin. Reports issued include:

REPORT I: A NATIONAL LITERATURE REVIEW PUBL-MB-003 (91)

REPORT I I : PERSONAL INTERVIEWS WITH HAZARDOUS WASTE GENERATORS: SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS PUBL-MB-004 (91)

REPORT 111: INFORMATION: SOURCES, DESIRED TYPES AND FORMATS PUBL-MB- , 005 (92)

J REPORT I V HAZARDOUS WASTE GENERATOR CONTACTS WITH THE DEPART- MENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES PUBL-MB-006 (92) .

- REPORT V: BARRIERS AND INCENTIVES TO HAZARDOUS WASTE REDUCTION PUBL-MB-007 (92)

REDUCING HAZARDOUS WASTE IN WISCONSIN:

WHAT ARE THE SOURCES, WHAT ARE THE DESIRED TYPES, AND IN WHAT FORMAT DO PEOPLE WANT INFORMATION ON REDUCING HAZARDOUS WASTE?

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The survey results suggest that hazardous waste generators are eager for information on both how to manage their hazardous wastes and how to reduce--the quantity-they generate. Their answers show that:

The Department of Natural Resources is a key source of information.

Hazardous waste generators currently rely on the Department and want to continue to do so.

Larger firms, those large enough to know and be able to avail themselves of these services use:

* Chambers of commerce, Consultants, and

* Educational institutions. Smaller firms appear to have little time to find out what is available, nor do they want to go far to get it. For example, they were not very interested in attending workshops. Smaller firms indicate that a very important source of information is their:

* Suppliers Responses to questions in recent RCRA Waste Minimization Reports also suggest that suppliers are important sources of information. Of the 15% of eligible firms who filled out the report, 60% said they requested or received technical waste minimization information from their suppliers.

While generators rely on their suppliers and also their treatment, storage and disposal firms (TSDs), they are not always confident that these sources have their best interests in mind. Suppliers want to sell their products; TSDs want to sell their services.

The waste management information firms want includes the following.

* How to comply with EPA/DNR regulations * How to comply with OSHA regulations * How to implement a hazardous waste

management certification program

The waste reduction information firms asked for includes:

* Suppliers of hazardous waste minimization equipment and services.

* HOW to set up a waste minimization/pollution prevention program for my firm.

* HOW to conduct a waste minimization audit. * HOW to estimate possible cost savings from waste reduction.

The form in which large firms would like information presented includes:

DNR fact sheets.

* Regional workshops. * Workshops with similar firms.

The form in which small firms would like information presented includes:

* DNR fact sheets. * Regional workshops.

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REDUCING HAZARDOUS WASTE IN WISCONSIN:

WHAT ARE THE SOURCES, WHAT ARE THE DESIRED TYPES, AND IN WHAT FORMAT DO PEOPLE WANT INFORMATION ON REDUCING HAZARDOUS WASTE?

INTRODUCTION

In the fall of 1991, the Department of Natural Resources, DNR, mailed a questionnaire to 600 large quantity hazardous waste generators and 500 small quantity generators. Eighty percent of those contacted-completed-and-returned the 3 4 page questionnaire. The questionnaire was based on twenty in-depth interviews conducted with hazardous waste generators of various sizes and types of business in Wisconsin.

The survey asked hazardous waste generators the following types of questions:

* What types of hazardous waste they generate * What steps they have taksn to minimize the wastes they generate * What incentives they have for reducing waste

* What obstacles to waste reduction they have encountered * What are their sources of information on hazardous waste management and what types of information they want

This paper summarizes the answers to the questions about the sources of information firms use, the types of information firms would like to have, and the form in which they would like it presented. Specifically, we explore the following questions:

* Where do firms currently get their information on waste management and pollution prevention?

* What kinds of waste reduction and waste management information would they like to receive?

* In what form would they like to receive the information?

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Throughout this report, the following attributes of waste generators are reported in detail.

m e ]rator is associated. Industries are grouped in the following catcqories: automobile engine and body repair; chemical and petroleum manufacturers; construction; dry cleaners; food processing; lumber manufacturing; machinery and electric manufacturing; metal working and manufacturing, including plating; paper; printing; services; textiles; transportation; and treatment, storage and disposal facilities.

m- as measured by the number of employees.

The cm antitv of hazardous waste senerated. Firms are classified as very small quantity generators, small quantity generators and large quantity generators.

< Classifications are acutely toxic, corrosive, halogenated, heavy metal, ignitable, and reactive.

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SOURCES OF INFORMATION

The questionnaire asked hazardous waste generators to rank the importance of different agencies, organizations and enterprises as sources of information on hazardous waste management.

Generators reported that they rely heavily on the DNR; they also ranked their suppliers as important. TSDs, trade associations and people within the company were ranked as very important by about one third of the generators. (The percentages shown below are those ranking the source as Very important.")

Primary sources of -information:

* Department of Natural Resources - 50%

* Suppliers - 40%

Secondary sources of information:

* TSDS - 38% * Trade associations - 37% * People within the company - 35%

DNR as Information Source

The DNR was ranked as the most important source of information by most firms in the state. Half of all firms surveyed said it was a very important source of information. Although not explicitly expressed, perhaps, like educational institutions] the Department is viewed as a less biased source of information than some of the other sources.

There may be some upward bias in the relative ranking of the DNR since the survey was conducted by the DNR. Further, it is likely that the importance of educational institutions may be increasing. At the time the survey was conducted, the University Extension pollution prevention program was just getting started.

The following samples of what some firms found especially helpful are drawn verbatim from tapes of interviews with firms. The statements and questions in brackets were the interviewer's words.

"There was a list of waste minimization brochures and I did get some of those. I think it was real helpful what they offered, looking at what other companies are doing with a type of waste and how they are treating it. They may not hit the exact waste stream of yours on the head to begin with, but there is certainly a lot out there."

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Vou sent me the 6 x 9 book you have with a lot of the different laws. I thought that was very helpful, something that I wouldn't have got otherwise. Once in a while you will send me something new that's happening and I think that's helpful.

"[Have you ever received any information on waste reduction?] Yes. The DNR sent us a little thing. [What did they say?] I'm trying to remember, it's been a while. They were looking for companies for waste minimization. They asked us to submit once, explaining how we reduced our waste. It was the Governorts award or whatever. - [Did-you- respond to it?] Yes, we got second in the state."

"We had a lot of misinformation until the DNR came out here. And I had a hundred people,. 'What is George doin'? Got DNR in here, they're gonna fine us.' She hit 'em right between the eyes: 'You know, you guys are using this; we can fine you ten thousand dollars. And now, now that I have your attention, here is what you need to do. If you have to report it, here is what you have to do; now, you're a generator a small generator, a very small generator and here is what you need to do."

Suppliers as Information Sources

Suppliers are important sources of various kinds of information - information about new technologies and new products available in the industry as well as information about the appropriate waste management methods. They also are used by firms to find out about the EPA/DNR regulations applicable to the firm.

Suppliers are more important information sources for smaller firms and smaller quantity generators than for larger firms. For firms of fewer than 50 employees and for small quantity generators, suppliers are thought to be as important as the DNR. Fifty percent of the small sized, small quantity firms use their suppliers as a very important source of information. In contrast, only a third of the large quantity generators and firms of 200 employees or more rely heavily on their suppliers.

Regulations "We heard through the outfits where we buy materials. They started telling us, getting us hooked up with things we had to do, things we should do."

Waste minimization and new technologies "We discussed ways to reduce waste with the company that we bought our chemicals from. It's not something that we obviously invented. It was a device that they had that they said that 'this is one means

it and it worked good for us.11

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you can have for controlling it.' And we tried it and liked -

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Waste management of solvents. this material?' And they tell us.11

"A lot of times we just go to our suppliers And we say, 'What is the best way to get rid of

Firms and their suppliers work together to develop new ways of doing things which are less wasteful.

"We wanted to get rid of all of the solvent-based paint in our firm, and substitute water-based paints. But when we tried the water-based paint it didn't work. We bend metal, very sharply, and the paint slid off onto the floor. So we went -back to-our paint- supplier- and -worked with them and we found a way to solve that prob1em.I'

"We personally cannot do much. I'm not, we are not, going to hire a metallurgist to work on this stuff. But we buy solders, for example, and there are two or three different solder manufacturers spending money to look at these things. And when they come up with something, we'll try it and see if it works and if we say we don't like it, they'll go back and try something else."

TSDS as Information Sources

Treatment, storage and disposal facilities (TSDs) take wastes from firms for treatment, recycling and disposal. Firms rank TSDs as less important than the DNR and suppliers; about one third of the firms indicated that they were very important sources of information. Many TSDs specialize in recycling and disposing of solvents; firms generating solvents are somewhat more likely than others to rely on TSDs for information.

TSDs feel they have an important role in helping firms understand and comply with the hazardous waste regulations. The increase between 1985 and 1990 in annual reports from firms generating ignitables and the relative decline in the volume of ignitables in the state's total waste stream suggests that TSDs have been successful both in educating firms about the need to report and in encouraging less wasteful use of solvents.

"We try to go in and educate the people. We tell people that 'you shouldn't do this and you shouldn't do that and you can't do it that way, or you are not going to be able to for very long, those types of things. They won't always take it in or understand it until somebody inspects 'em, or they are caught, but we always try to let them know. We have a seminar that we put on called 'HOW to Comply With Hazardous Waste L~WS.'~~

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Dissatisfaction with Information Sources

Firms reported that they are not always satisfied with the sources of information they use. People had suggestions for ways the DNR might improve its information delivery.

About 15% of the survey respondents made comments about ways to improve DNR information. These included the desire for better updates on regulations, specific advice on their problems, and more information about waste reduction, in general.

"Publish - a -. newsletter -keeping me . up-to-date on environmental activities such as proposed changes to regulations or new regulations and rulings."

"1 think that a brief newsletter or publication issued every 2 to 3 months to Wisconsin industries would improve relations. It could contain policy information, regulatory changes/modifications, special areas of concern or case studies of state industries."

"Have an expert on our type of waste visit us to advise on any ideas he would have to reduce our waste."

llYour letters are, your bulletins are very general. It is hard for me, being a car dealer-type person, to sit down and read about manufacturing and everything else. In other words, they cover 92 different topics, all the way from trees and breeze to whatever. You could send just a one page bulletin out to all the car dealerships, service garages and body shops, people that deal with thinners, letls say."

"The way industry finds out about these things is you just read about it in a magazine that you get, these freebie type magazines you get. Or somebody hits you cold with an ad that they send you in the mail. Or you pick up something at some seminar you went to or some professional organization where there is a gathering. I don't know if the word gets any quicker to the government or not, but UT) the DNR could qo throush the state and say, ,Well what are the main things that are disposed of in the state? Well, we've got zinc, ' or arsenic or whatever and then you'd present

you could come out and tell Deowle about that. You donlt have an axe to grind. Say, 'This is where you can contact somebody if you want this sort of thing or want more information.' It would be almost like a readers' service in a trade magazine.l#

1

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"1 think they could set up some kind of newsletter offering suggestions like: 'Oh, this company has this kind of waste and they handle it this way.' A lot of companies maybe don't have a lot of time to devote towards investigating new methods. It's always nice to read about suggestions in the newsletter. That would be something the DNR could do."

IIFirst. the DNR should aet across the nation and make a list of who is recvclina what and what are their specifications. So when I go to contact somebody, I can go, 'Hey, we've got this. Are you interested?' I want a reputable company, -somebody-that's-been there for at-least two years. Don't add anybody who started this year: wait until one or two years that they have been on the market and then add them to the list. So your list will keep more accurate."

"If the DNR published things in their bulletin like: 'If you're using chemicals in this manner or that manner, you can get a dispenser and it will control how much you go through.' Then, not only are you helping the environment but reducing your costs for the use of chemicals."

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Conflicts of Interest Between Firms and Their Suppliers and TSDs

Sometimes what suppliers and TSDs recommend is not in the best interests of the firm. In these situations, firms need to be able to turn to disinterested sources of information.

l l [So the same company that provides your materials was able to sell you a product to reduce your use of their materials?] That's a yes and no answer. Naturally they don't offer that to you up front. And I think really how that happened was there was another chemical guy who came around and he was an independent that was coming in and trying to sell what he would do. And his way of dispensing solvents was through a machine like this. And then we went to our vendor and told him: 'Well, if we can get this from everybody else, how come you guys haven't given it to us?' We worked with him and argued and finally he said: 'Well, hey, I can get you that too.' Nobodv offers it to YOU UD front because thev want to sell vou as much chemical as thev DOSSiblV can."

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Sources of Information Used by Firms of Different Sixes and Generating Different Waste Types

'size of Firm

The importance of different sources of information varies according to the size of the firm and the amount of waste it generates. Larger firms often have their own internal environmental specialists who keep them abreast of waste management matters. These people read the literature and attend state and national meetings. Smaller firms report that they tend to rely on their TSDs or their-suppliers.

Larger firms rely on:

* The DNR - 55% * Trade journals and trade associations - 40%

* Internal consultants - 35% smaller firms use:

* The DNR - 50% * Their suppliers - 50%

Type of Waste Generated

Although the DNR is the primary information source, there are some variations by type of hazardous waste generated. Firms generating wastes that primarily affect workers' health - acute and reactive wastes - also find internal conscltants and trade associations important. Firms generating halogens and ignitables are slightly more likely than average to turn to their suppliers and TSDs.

Generators of acute and reactive wastes relied on:

* The DNR - 50% * Internal consultants - 40% * Trade associations - 35%

Generators of halogenated and ignitable wastes relied on:

* The DNR - 55% * Suppliers - 40% * TSDS - 25%

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WASTE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

The questionnaire asked hazardous waste generators what types of information they wanted to receive. Their choices ranged from information on workers' health and safety to how to recycle hazardous wastes on site. Their answers disclose the following. (The percentages shown are percents of the sample who said they would like to have this kind of information.)

Highest interest in:

*-Technical-information on how to- comply with hazardous

* Workers' safety training requirements and courses - 60% waste regulations - 60%

Moderate interest in:

* Training for a voluntary hazardous waste management certification program - 50%

Lower interest in:

* The management of special wastes (used oil, CFCs, PCBs,

* How to classify hazardous wastes - 40%

* Restrictions on land disposal of hazardous wastes - 35%

etc.) - 4 0 %

Interest in the different types of waste management information varied according to the volume of waste generated by the firm.

small quantity generators want:

* The requirements that apply to small quantity generators - 65% of the small quantity generators Large quantity generators want:

* Waste management certification training - 60% of the

* Onsite recycling - 4 0 % of the large quantity generators

large quantity generators

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WASTE REDUCTION INFORMATION

One set of questions asked hazardous waste generators what kinds of waste reduction information they would like to have. Their

. choices, listed according to their preferences, are as follows. (The percentages are percents of the sample who said they wanted this kind of information.)

* Information about suppliers of hazardous waste

* HOW to set-up-a-waste-minimization/pollution prevention

* How to conduct a waste minimization audit - 50% * How to account for the cost of hazardous waste generation and estimate possible cost savings from waste reduction - 45%

minimization equipment and services - 55%

program for my firm - 50%

To quote one firm we interviewed:

[Are there any other things the DNR could do to help you?] "1 think they are really starting to be on the right track. They've offered the waste minimization audits and they would be helpful. Even if it's not your company - I see they are looking at the electroplating industry - I could see how they went in and audited another electroplating firm and what they found and what could be done."

Industry and Volume of Waste Differences

A more detailed analysis of the survey results shows some differences according to industry and scale of enterprise. Firms generating large quantities of hazardous waste are more likely than small quantity generators to want waste minimization information of all types. Larger firms were more likely than smaller ones to want information about the suppliers of waste minimization equipment.

The survey results also indicate special interest for sp@cific types of information among certain industries.

* Printing firms ( 6 5 % ) would like assistance in setting up waste minimization programs.

* Food processing, lumber, and machinery and equipment firms ( 6 0 % ) would like help with waste minimization audits.

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PREFERRED FORMS OF INFORMATION DELIVERY

The questionnaire presented waste generators with an array of different information delivery systems. Strong majorities expressed interest in receiving DNR fact sheets and in regional workshops. Other means of delivering information were less popular. (The percentages are percents of the sample who said they wanted this form of information.)

Most-favored forms of information were:

* DNR fact sheets - 80% * Regional workshops - 65%

Moderate interest was expressed in:

* Video tapes - 45% * Workshops with similar firms - 45%

Less popular forms were:

* Being told by TSDs - 30% * Trade journals - 30% * Onsite consultations - 25%

DNR Fact Sheets

In the interviews, firms told us to keep the information simple and targeted to specific audiences. To quote one firm,

Itspecify your information to groups. Which is the one thing that is difficult. It is hard for me, being a car dealer type person, to sit down and read about manufacturing and everything else. And your letters are, your bulletins are very general. In other words they cover 92 different topics, all the way from trees and breeze to ... If you could send, like, to all the car dealerships, service garages and body shops, people that deal with thinners, let's say. Ok. Just send out a one page bulletin.lI

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Industry Type an8 Size of Firm

There were some differences in interest according to indastry type and size of firm. Small firms are less likely to want to read trade journals or to leave their premises to attend regional workshops or to attend workshops with other similar firms.

Regional workshops were of greater interest to:

* larger firms - 85% *- food-processing firms - 80% * transport industries - 80%

Workshops with similar firms appeal to:

* large firms - 60% * transport - 60% * dry cleaners - 60%

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TABLE 1: NEEDS OF SMALL-SIZED FIRMS, SMALL QUANTITY GENERATORS, AND LARGE QUANTITY GENERATORS

(Firms with 1-50 employees: Firms with 100kg-1000kg per month: and Firms with lOOOkg or more per month)

Small Small Large

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

* The DNR - * Suppliers - * Trade Associations -

TYPES OF WASTE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

* Small-quantity generator - * How to comply with regulafions - * OSHA training - * Hazardous waste training -

TYPES OF WASTE REDUCTION INFORMATION

* HOW to reduce hazardous waste

* Start pollution prevention program

* Conduct a waste audit

* Estimate cost savings

FORMAT FOR INFORMATION

* DNR mailings - * Regional workshops - * Workshops with similar firms -

Size

45%

50%

35%

Quant.

50%

45%

35%

Quark.

50%

35%

50%

60% 60% 25%

55% 65% 65%

55% 55% 60%

40% 40% 60%

65%

45%

40%

40%

80%

55%

3 5%

70%

50%

45%

42%

80%

60%

40%

75%

50%

55%

55%

85%

75%

50%

* Sources, types and formats desired by more than half of the generators in that generator status.

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APPENDIX I. SUMMARY OF SURVEY STATISTICS

The following is a profile of hazardous waste generators. About 1,800 small quantity generators and 800 large quantity generators filed annual RCRA reports for 1990. The sample of 1 in 3 small quantity generators yielded 594 small quantity generators to be surveyed: 80% of these, 475 firms, answered the survey. There were 506 large quantity generators in the DNR data base in August of 1991; 80% of these, 405 firms, answered the survey.

The firms were classified by 2-digit SIC code. Completed surveys came from the -following-categories- of-manufacturing and service industries.

SIC Code Name of Category Number of Firms

55,75 Automobile 28,29,30 Chemical & Petroleum 15-17 Construction 72 Dry Cleaners 20 Food and Kindred Products 24,25 (part) 35,36 Machinery and Electric 33,76,25(part) Metal and Steel 39 (part) Misc. Manufacturing 26 Pulp and Paper 27 Printing

64,73,77-99 Services 21,22,31 Textiles 37 Transportation 495 TSDs all other Other

Lumber and Wood Products

0-14,43-49,50-54,

100 91 15 22 20 32

165 17 6 17 35 37

72 12 39 7 10

The numbers of employees for each firm were grouped as follows.

Number of Employees Number of Firms

1 - 9 10 - 50 50 - 100 100 - 150 150 - 200 200 - 250 250 - 500 500 or more Unknown

60 223 163 85 66 39

107 106 4

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The waste types generated by the surveyed firms were obtained from the Annual Reports for 1990. The following classification was used prior to 1989; the waste codes used in 1990 were redefined to conform to the waste codes used in 1985 to 1988. There are more than 850 observations because some firms have more than one waste.

Waste Type Volume, 1990 Percent Number Percent ( ' 0 0 0 lbs.) Volume of Firms of Firms

Acute Corrosives Halogens Metals Ignitables Other Toxics Reactives Not defined

12,161 434,741 50,294

703,736 49 , 816

389,430 70,966

835

1% 25% 3% 41% 3%

23%. 4% 0%

50 183 278 215 714 11 41 30

6% 22% 33% 25% 84% 1% 5% 4%

The information questions were in Section I11 and Section VI of the survey. Section I11 asked about barriers to waste reduction or further waste reduction.

The first question was: "The following list contains some reasons other firms have mentioned as keeping them from reducing their hazardous waste. How important do you think each of these might be as obstacles for your firm?" Alternatives, based on a modified Likert Scale, were 'very importantt, 'somewhat important,' 'not very important,' 'not at all important.'

Categories, in the sequence in which they were presented in the questionnaire, were as follows. The statement about lack of information was the last in the sequence; a comparison of the options puts the selection of 'lack of information' into context.

Percent of firms selecting

'Very important' Cost savings too small to worry about 7%

Substitutes unavailable or too costly 53% Regulations not yet changed, so don't have to act 7% Waiting until time to retire existing equipment 4%

Employees resist change 3% Not sure things we have heard about will work here 11%

Expected cost savings won't pay back soon enough 6%

Product quality may decline if we change 36%

Not enough information on how to reduce hazardous waste. 28%

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Section VI, the part of the questionnaire asking about information sources and needs, was organized into four subsections: sources of information, desired waste reduction information, desired waste management information, and preferred format for information dissemination.

options for firm's sources of information were given as follows. (The percentages are for those who said 'very important' and 'not at all important.')

Very Not at all Important Important

People within your-company 40% 5% Trade associations 35% 5% Trade journals 25% 5% Suppliers 40% 5% TSDs 3 5% 5% Competitors 5% 35% The WMC/Chamber of Commerce 10% 25% Consultants 20% 20% Educational institutions 15% 20% The DNR 50% 3%

Firms were asked what kinds of information about waste reduction they would like to have and in what form they would like to have it. They could choose any number of options. (The percents are the percent of firms selecting each option.)

Waste Reducing Information (Percent of firms)

How to reduce the kinds of hazardous waste

How to set up a waste minimization/pollution prevention program for my firm 50%

How to conduct a waste minimization audit 50% How to account for the cost of hazardous

my firm generates 75%

waste generation and estimate possible cost savings from waste reduction 50%

55% Information about suppliers of hazardous

waste minimization equipment and services

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Waste Management Information (Percent of firms)

Technical information about how to comply with hazardous waste regulations

Requmements that apply to small quantity generators

How to classify hazardous waste Restrictions on land disposal of

Requirements for transporting hazardous waste Recycling hazardous waste on site TSD -requirements and licensing Hazardous waste clean-up requirements

Worker safety training requirements and courses Management of special wastes

Training for a voluntary hazardous waste

hazardous waste

and technologies

(used oil, CFCs, PCBs, etc.)

management certification program

70%

50% 40%

35% 30% 35% 20%

35% 60%

45%

50%

Form of Information

Regional workshops put on by DNR, an educational 65%

DNR mailings of fact sheets/handouts/pamphlets 80% Being told by your supplier or TSD 30% Reading professional/trade journals 25% Onsite consultation with DNR/UW staff 30%

45%

(Percent of firms)

institution or your trade association

Meeting with people in your kind of firm Videotaped training sessions 45%

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