Feasibility Analysis of Sustainability-Based Measures to Reduce VOC Emissions in Office Partition Manufacturing

Sustainability 2010, 2, 624-644; doi:10.3390/su2020624 OPEN ACCESS sustainability ISSN 2071-1050 www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability Article Feasibility Analysis of Sustainability-Based Measures to Reduce VOC Emissions in Office Partition Manufacturing Frank S. Luisser and Marc A. Rosen * Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, Ontario, L1H 7K4, Canada; E-Mail: * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-mail: ; Tel.: +1-905-721-8668; Fax: +1-905-721-3370. Received: 1 December 2009 / Accepted: 10 February 2010 / Published: 21 February 2010 Abstract: A feasibility analysis is reported of reduction opportunities for volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions in manufacturing office furniture partitions, aimed at contributing to efforts to improve the sustainability of the process. A pollution prevention methodology is utilized. The purpose is to provide practical options for VOC emissions reductions during the manufacturing of office furniture partitions, but the concepts can be generally applied to the wood furniture industry. Baseline VOC emissions for a typical plant are estimated using a mass balance approach. The feasibility analysis expands on a preliminary screening to identify viable pollution prevention options using realistic criteria and weightings, and is based on technical, environmental and economic considerations. The measures deemed feasible include the implementation of several best management practices, ceasing the painting of non-visible parts, switching to hot melt backwrapping glue, application of solvent recycling and modification of the mechanical clip attachment. Implementation, measurement and control plans are discussed for the measures considered feasible, which can enhance the sustainability of the manufacturing of office furniture partitions. Reducing VOC emissions using the measures identified can, in conjunction with other measures, improve the sustainability of the manufacturing process. Keywords: sustainability; volatile organic compound; VOC; manufacturing; office furniture; pollution prevention; emissions Sustainability 2010, 2 625 1. Introduction Canada’s furniture industry, the second largest exporter in the world according to Industry Canada [1], generates wastes during manufacturing that impact land, air and water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency points out that the most significant environmental impact of the wood furniture industry is its emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), especially toluene, methanol and xylene [2]. VOCs are carbon containing substances that evaporate rapidly, and contribute to acid rain and the greenhouse effect and react with oxides of nitrogen in the presence of sunlight to form low-level ozone, a component of smog. Smog can impact health and property [3]. The U.S. wood furniture industry emits about 60,000 tons of VOCs annually [2], but Canada and the US have since the 1990s significantly reduced VOC emissions [4]. VOC emissions normally represent the majority of air pollutant releases in manufacturing office furniture partitions, a segment of the wood furniture industry. As part of an investigation to identify strategies for improving the sustainability of the manufacturing of office partitions by reducing VOC emissions in the manufacturing operations and processes, a preliminary screening of emission reduction options was carried out by the present authors [5]. That investigation utilized the pollution prevention methodology defined by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. In the screening, baseline VOC emissions for a typical plant were estimated using a mass balance approach, and pollution prevention measures were identified and screened using realistic criteria and weightings. Several measures were deemed viable, including implementing several best management practices, ceasing painting of non-visible parts, switching gluing processes, recycling solvent and modifying attachments. Subsequently, a preliminary feasibility analysis was carried out of reduction opportunities for volatile organic compound emissions in manufacturing office furniture partitions [6]. In this article, more comprehensive feasibility analyses based on technical, environmental and economic considerations are performed for selected measures (based on the results of the preliminary screening of options) for reducing VOC emission levels in typical manufacturing operations for office furniture partitions. Also, factors affecting the implementation of feasible measures are considered and metrics for tracking and evaluating their impact are developed. This feasibility analysis extends the preliminary one reported earlier, in part by focusing on sustainability [6]. The objective is to identify reasonable strategies for reducing VOC emissions in the manufacturing of office furniture partitions, and thereby to contribute to enhancing the sustainability of the industry by balancing many of the competing factors. Several important points about this investigation are noted:   Reducing VOC emissions for the manufacturing process considered, while accounting for technical and economic factors, is but one step in improving its sustainability. Although the present study consequently provides an important step in enhancing the sustainability of the process, this measure needs to be accompanied by other sustainability efforts to ultimately make the process sustainable from all perspectives. The scope of this article is in line with a case study, rather than a scholarly investigation of new methods, and the results reported are consequently oriented towards the application considered. Sustainability 2010, 2  626 The investigation adopts in large part an engineering approach, aimed at developing feasible options for reducing VOC emissions for the manufacturing process, from the perspective of an industrial company. This approach is taken because options that do not focus on industry needs and instead dwell only on other factors are likely not to be successful. Challenges to achieving sustainable development in the manufacturing enterprise have been discussed by Sutherland et al. [7], and many efforts have been expended to enhance the sustainability of manufacturing processes and technologies used in industry, from several perspectives including design. For instance, the achievement of greener manufacturing and operations through designing for energy efficiency and selection has been investigated by the present author [8]. Also, Jovane et al. [9] have investigated pathways towards competitive and sustainable high-adding-value manufacturing, while global technological and industrial revolution for competitive sustainable manufacturing has been described [10]. Furthermore, guidelines for design for remanufacturing to support sustainable manufacturing have been proposed by Ijomah et al. [11]. This study contributes to th (...truncated)