Exempt Foundry Waste (EFW)
Foundry waste is exempted from Alabama’s Solid Waste Rules (ADEM Code 335-13-4-.26(3)). For decades, Tyler Union has operated its own private landfill named Reeves Road Landfill. It is currently only used as an exempt foundry landfill. So only wastes that are generated directly from foundry processes can be disposed of there.
Below is a quick guide to the different types of wastes considered Exempt Foundry Waste (EFW).
Exempt Foundry Waste Streams
Waste Sand
This includes Core butts, GFD Green Sand, DISA Green Sand, Laempe Sand Waste, IMF No-Bake Sand, No-Bake Core/Mold Waste, spent sand, broken cores and floor sweepings
Broken cores and spent sand can be reclaimed. Only after ensuring it can’t be reclaimed should you dump it in the bunker.
Slag
This includes Desulfurization Slag and Cupola Slag.
Slag is a byproduct of our melting operation. It can come from the cupola, transfer ladles, or bubbling pot. After it cools it can be deposited into the bunker.
Refractory
This includes spent refractory.
Refractory is used to protect our ladles and furnaces from the heat of molten metal. It is chipped out frequently and replaced. After chip out, it is deposited directly into the bunker.
Baghouse Dust
Dust is composed of waste from baghouses and dust collectors. This stream is typically collected in supersacks, hoppers or roll-offs which are dumped into the bunker, except for Inoculation and Cupola dust.
Cement
This includes dry cement residue and powder.
Waste cement from cement lining operation is an allowable waste as long as there are no free liquids. It is first put into a hopper then dumped into the bunker.
Shotblast
This includes waste from the IMF (BCT and Chinese), GFD (34 Mills), and DISA (Wheelabrator) shotblast machines.
Shotblast waste is a byproduct of the shotblasting process. As the beads are worn down from impacts with the casting, it creates a fine powder that is disposed of in 55gal drums or hoppers.
Important Reminders for EFW
Employees are expected to dispose of the above categories and only the above categories as EFW, unless instructed by an individual from the Environmental Department.
When disposing of any EFW material employees should make sure the corresponding container is labeled as EFW.
Labels for containers can be found in the Environmental Department.
When containers are full, they must be dumped into the EFW bunker on the scrap runway.
Employees should attempt to reclaim any broken cores smaller than 36” and any waste sand through the sand reclaimer before disposing in the bunker.
If any EFW waste has been impacted by a non-hazardous waste including but not limited to oil, resin, or water-based paint, it can no longer be considered an Exempt Foundry Waste. It must be disposed as a non-hazardous waste.
If any EFW waste has been impacted by a potentially hazardous waste such as cupola dust, inoculation dust, or oil-based paint, it must be considered potentially hazardous. Please notify the environmental department immediately if this occurs.
