Based on applicable technical requirements for hazardous solvent use, an assessment should be conducted to determine whether a substitute can be used or whether the process can be modified to preclude the use of the solvent. If the facility does not control the requirement for solvent use, the facility should contact the organization responsible for the requirement to discuss possible modifications. Once the facility has identified all types and uses of solvents over which it has control, the facility should target those solvents which pose the greatest risk to workers or generate the greatest volume of hazardous waste. These solvents should be replaced with nonhazardous substitutes, or their associated processes should be modified to eliminate or reduce the use of the solvent. In particular, chlorinated, high VOC and ozone-depleting solvents should be targeted for substitution or reduction.
Many hazardous solvents have acceptable nonhazardous, biodegradable substitutes.
For instance, citrus-based solvents provide comparable performance to organic solvents for the majority of degreasing operations anticipated at EPA facilities. In addition, process changes, such as using microanalytical techniques, may be implemented to eliminate or reduce the use of hazardous solvents. Improving general housekeeping procedures and establishing controls on purchasing and inventory also can be used as cost-effective methods to limit solvent waste generation. When solvents cannot be replaced or processes changed to avoid the use of solvents, recycling may be an alternative to disposal of solvent waste. On-site recycling requires the purchase or assembly of a distillation unit using laboratory materials.