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Auto Repair | Auto Body | Construction |
Economic Benefits of Pollution Prevention
Overall, pollution prevention saves businesses money. Savings may result from reduced disposal costs, reduced material costs, and reduced operating costs. A few of the prevention measures recommended by the PACE program result in small operating cost increases to the business, such as recycling oil filters.
Savings and costs resulting from the implementation of pollution prevention measures are summarized below. Most of the recommended measures result in either savings or no increase in cost. Measures such as using HVLP spray guns, or purchasing brake and carburetor cleaning fluids in bulk rather than in aerosol cans, can result in significant annual savings.
Savings or Costs Associated with Pollution Prevention
Some pollution prevention measures require an initial capital investment, but have a relatively short payback period. Common capital purchases include on-site anti-freeze recyclers, HVLP paint spray guns, aqueous parts washers, and non-aerosol spray canisters for parts cleaners. Generally, material or disposal savings generate the revenue to pay back the capital expenditure.
Measure |
Approximate Savings or Costs |
| Auto Servicing | |
| HVLP spray guns | Capital cost of $450; payback possible in 2 weeks. |
| Anti-freeze recycling (on-site) | Capital cost of $1700-$2000; payback in about 1.3 years. |
| Bulk cleaners (i.e., brake) | Savings of $0.50-$2 per aerosol can. |
| Oil filter recycling | Cost of $55-$100 per 55-gallon barrel or $0.30 per filter. |
| Remove chlorinated compounds | Generally no difference in cost. |
| Less-hazardous solvents | Savings of $20 per servicing or $150 per year. |
| Printers | |
| Soy-based or vegetable-based inks | Savings of $0.50 per pound |
| Fountain solutions with isopropyl alcohol substitutes | Generally no difference in cost. |
| Low VOC blanket washes | Generally no difference in cost. |
Business List Certification Pollution Prevention Economic Benefit