TIPS: Printshops

Image Processing

	Add ammonium thiosulfate to silver-contaminated baths to extend the allowable buildup of silver.
	Use floating lids on bleach and developer containers to keep them fresh.
	Install waterless paper and film developing units to minimize the volume of fixer waste. Segregate fixer from developer.
	Substitute non-hazardous raw materials for hazardous materials whenever possible.
	Install electronic imaging and/or laser plate-making. By editing on a video terminal, then need for photographing and reshooting can be reduced. This alternative may be costly. However, the reduced waste management costs and increased protection of the environment make the investment worth considering.
	Protect process baths that spoil easily by keeping them containerized. Small scale photo developers can containerize process baths and use glass marbles to bring the liquid level to the brim each time the liquid is used.

Plate Processing

Replace metal etching processes with a process that generates less waste whenever possible.

Printing and Finishing

	Recover as much ink as possible. Preclean ink trays with rags before rinsing with water.
	Fill ink fountains only enough for a particular run or shift. Return all unemulsified inks into their covered containers.
	To minimize waste ink generation, clean ink fountains only when changing colors or when the ink might dry out between runs.
	Install automatic ink levelers to keep ink fountains at their optimal level for good print quality in large web presses.
	Run similar jobs simultaneously to minimize waste generation between cleanup and start of the next run.
	Ink fountains can be left overnight if sprayed with special nondrying aerosol materials.
	Dedicate one press for inks with higher hazardous pigments or solvents.
	Save old inks and market as "house colors."
	Donate unemulsified inks to trade schools, colleges, etc.

Spill Control

	Berm working areas with curbing, similar to a concrete dike, so that spills can be easily contained for cleanup.
	Place storage containers in a convenient and safe place. Try to avoid moving waste long distances.
	Properly contain and cover all solid and liquid wastes - especially during transfer.
	Use shop rags for small spills and absorbent for larger spills. Absorbents should be easily accessible anywhere in the shop and may require disposal as hazardous waste, if saturated.
	Use drain mats or plugs to prevent spilled fluids from entering sanitary or storm drains, plus to help contain spilled fluids for cleanup. If possible, seal or remove unused floor drains to prevent accidental discharge to the sewer system.
	Place drip pans or absorbent mats under leaking equipment or where spills are likely to occur.

Good Housekeeping

	Sweep and vacuum shop floor frequently.
	Properly contain fluids to avoid spills.
	If mopping is used to clean floors:

1. First, remove any spilled oil or other liquids by using absorbents or rags
2. Sweep the floor using a dry absorbent
3. Mop the floor if an oil/water separator is available, pour the mop water into the oil/water separator so that the wastewater is treated further before being discharged to the sewer system.
4. Do not pour mop water into the parking lot, street, gutter or street drain.

Education and Training

	Upon hiring, and annually thereafter, train all employees on personal safety and proper methods to dispose of waste.
	Post instructional/informational signs around your shop for customers and employees.
	Label drains in your shop to indicate if they flow to a treatments system or directly to the sewer.
	Put signs on faucets reminding employees and customers to conserve water and not to use water to clean up spills.
	Join trade organizations and subscribe to trade journals to help keep yourself informed about regulations and pollution control technology.
	Consult with city agencies and those in your profession to help you meet regulations.
	Let your customers know how you are preventing pollution to show that you are a "good neighbor" and encourage your customers to do the same.

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