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November 2000
Summary
With the installation of new technology units, Finsbury Print
now recovers precious silver from spent fixer solutions and recirculates
developer chemicals from its film developing process. The benefits
accrued include cost savings on chemical use and the sale of high
quality silver flake. Total cost savings are $7000 per annum.
Business Profile
Finsbury Print was established more than 25 years ago and
now employs over 100 staff. It is involved in the printing and
reprographics industries and provides services from reproduction
of artwork through to scanning, retouching, proofing, printing,
foiling, binding and finishing.
Financial assistance provided
An interest-free loan of $10,970 was provided by the Environment
Protection Agency's Pollution Prevention Fund.
Technology implemented
- fixer recirculation unit
- silver recovery unit.
Cleaner production motivators
- desire to be seen as an environmentally responsible business
- recognition of the cost benefits associated with improved
environmental management.
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| Process
Flow Diagram |
Traditional approach
Film plate processing
The traditional practice is to clean and recycle film and plates
to be re-used in the printing process. This cleaning process used
large volumes of water that were then discharged to the sewerage
system along with by-products from cleaning plates and film.
Film developing
Fixer and developer chemicals were contained after use and disposed
of by a licensed waste contractor. The cost of purchasing fixer
was approximately $2500 per annum.
Cleaner production initiatives
Benefits recommended and implemented
The new technology has provided significant benefits for
the company in reducing developer chemical usage and recovering
silver metal from the fixer solutions.
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| Recirculation
Unit |
Developer recirculation unit
The recirculation unit has reduced the replenishment rate and
consequently increased the working life of the developer by filtering
and removing the bromides and residues in the solution. Developer
is replenished to:
- maintain activity of the working developer solution
- replace solution lost in evaporation and carryover to the
fix tank
As the unit is a closed system, the developer chemistry is not
exposed to air, this leads to a reduction in odours and prevents
contamination of the developer.
Benefits
| Environmental |
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| Chemical usage |
- Developer usage reduced by 60%
- Double filtering system absorbs developer by-products
and physical particles in the developer, so fewer by-products
are discharged to the sewerage system in the rinse water
through the dedicated settling tank.
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| Economic |
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| Investment |
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| Savings (per annum) |
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| Payback period |
One year. |
Silver recovery unit
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| Silver
Recovery Unit |
The silver recovery unit stores fixer solution until a sufficient
quantity has been accumulated, then transfers the solution to
the plating cell where it is agitated and pumped past a stationary
cathode. The cathode attracts the silver and silver flake is formed.
The remaining solution is pumped to waste.
Benefits
| Environmental |
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| Wastewater |
- Recovery of silver from used fixer solution, ensuring
compliance with sewer discharge limits.
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| Economic |
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| Investment |
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| Savings (per annum) |
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| Payback period |
1.4 years. |
Where to find additional information
Eco-efficiency Team
Environment Protection Authority
GPO Box 2607
Adelaide SA 5001
Phone: (+61 8) 8204 2004
www.epa.sa.gov.au
Mr Steve Osborne
Chief Operating Officer
Finsbury Green
1A South Road
Thebarton SA 5031
Phone: (+61 8) 8234 8000
While this process is historically correct, it is no longer used
on this site. This exercise was the first step in their environmental
journey, resulting in them changing to "green processes"
and being involved with the Greenhouse Challenge. They have now
changed their name to "Finsbury Green" and have recently
won the "UN Green Best Practice Awards 2006".
This page was last modified 14-08-2007
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