Reducing hazardous waste in the painting process: Chalenges and effective solutions

Abstract

The results obtained from a strategic plan that allows for the inclusion of effective solutions to reduce the generation of hazardous waste in paint are presented. This initiative arose in response to an obvious problem in companies: the accumulation of this waste not only has a considerable environmental impact but also poses a risk to workers' health and can lead to legal and financial penalties for non-compliance with environmental regulations. Therefore, there was an urgent need to propose viable and, above all, sustainable solutions. The research took a qualitative and descriptive methodological approach, seeking to gain a comprehensive understanding of the painting process in order to analyze why and how this waste was being generated. Everything from daily operating practices to compliance with the current regulatory framework was evaluated, and strategies that could be implemented were outlined, analyzing available resources and actual conditions within the plant. A continuous improvement approach was also adopted using the PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) cycle. This was complemented by key engineering tools to visualize critical waste generation points, which made it possible to build a clear picture across different areas. A substantial reduction in the amount of waste generated and, in the costs, associated with its management was achieved. Likewise, a proactive organizational culture was adopted. The results are projected to be encouraging, both in environmental and operational terms. This research allowed not only to analyze a specific problem, but also to lay the foundations for a profound change in the way of working. It demonstrated that, with the right tools and the will to improve, it is possible to transform complex processes into more efficient, safer, and environmentally friendly practices.