Hazardous Waste Disposal for Printing Companies

Comprehensive Hazardous Waste Management Services for Commercial Printing Operations Nationwide

Printing companies generate diverse hazardous waste including waste inks, solvents, fountain solutions, cleaning chemicals, and contaminated materials. Hazardous Waste Disposal provides expert hazardous waste management services tailored to the printing industry - from small print shops to large commercial printing operations.

Call (800) 582-4833 for printing industry waste services or email info@hazardouswastedisposal.com

Understanding Printing Industry Hazardous Waste

The printing industry uses numerous chemicals and materials that become regulated hazardous waste. Modern printing operations must balance productivity with environmental compliance, proper waste management, and cost control.

Why Printing Waste Management Matters:

• EPA regulations for printing waste

• State and local discharge limits

• Air quality regulations (VOCs)

• Disposal costs impact profitability

• Proper management prevents violations

• Customer sustainability requirements

• Industry certifications (FSC, SFI, etc.)

• Insurance and liability concerns

Common Printing Waste Streams:

• Waste printing inks

• Spent fountain solutions

• Cleaning solvents

• Blanket and roller wash

• Press cleaning chemicals

• Contaminated rags and shop towels

• Used oil from presses

• Waste coatings and varnishes

• Developer and fixer solutions (declining)

• Plate processing chemicals

• Contaminated absorbents

• Aerosol cans

• Empty ink containers

Types of Printing Operations We Serve

Offset Lithography (Sheetfed & Web)

Commercial offset printing:

• Sheetfed offset presses

• Web offset presses

• Heatset web printing

• Coldset web printing

• Publications and catalogs

• Commercial printing

Waste generated:

• Waste fountain solution (aqueous/alcohol-based)

• Printing ink waste (process and specialty colors)

• Blanket and roller wash

• Press cleaning solvents

• Used press oil and lubricants

• IPA (isopropyl alcohol) waste

• Contaminated shop towels

• Plate developer and fixer (some operations)

Typical quantities:

• Small shop: 50-200 gallons/month

• Medium operation: 200-800 gallons/month

• Large printer: 800-3,000+ gallons/month

Flexographic Printing

Flexible packaging and labels:

• Narrow web flexo

• Wide web flexo

• Flexible packaging

• Label printing

• Corrugated printing

• Tag and label

Waste generated:

• Solvent-based ink waste

• Water-based ink waste

• UV ink waste

• Cleaning solvents (acetone, MEK, ethyl acetate)

• Contaminated anilox rolls cleaning waste

• Press wash solutions

• Contaminated rags

Characteristics:

• Often solvent-based (higher disposal costs)

• High solvent use for cleaning

• Fast-drying inks generate VOCs

Screen Printing

Specialty printing:

• Textile screen printing

• Graphics screen printing

• Industrial screen printing

• Signage

• Decals and labels

Waste generated:

• Solvent-based ink waste

• Water-based ink waste

• UV ink waste

• Screen reclaiming chemicals

• Emulsion waste

• Cleaning solvents

• Contaminated rags

• Adhesive waste

Special considerations:

• Wide variety of ink types

• Heavy solvent use for cleanup

• Emulsion chemicals

Digital Printing

Digital and inkjet:

• Wide format digital

• Production digital printing

• Inkjet printing

• Toner-based printing

Waste generated:

• Waste digital inks

• Print head cleaning solutions

• Maintenance waste

• Contaminated materials

• UV lamp waste (if UV inkjet)

• Toner cartridges and waste toner

Generally lower chemical waste than conventional printing

Gravure Printing

Publication and packaging:

• Publication gravure

• Packaging gravure

• High-volume printing

Waste generated:

• Solvent-based ink waste

• Doctor blade cleaning waste

• Cylinder cleaning solvents

• Press cleaning chemicals

• Large volumes of solvent waste

Characteristics:

• Heavy solvent use

• High-volume waste generation

Specialty Printing

Other printing methods:

• Pad printing

• Letterpress

• Hot stamping

• Embossing

• Die cutting

Waste varies by process

Common Printing Industry Waste Materials

Printing Inks

Types of ink waste:

• Process color inks (CMYK)

• Spot color inks (PMS colors)

• Metallic inks

• Fluorescent inks

• UV-curable inks

• Solvent-based inks

• Water-based inks

• Oil-based inks

• Specialty inks

Why ink is hazardous:

• Heavy metals (some pigments)

• Organic solvents

• Resins and binders

• May be ignitable (D001)

• May contain toxic metals (D004-D011)

Sources:

• Expired or off-spec inks

• Returned or wrong inks

• Press washup waste

• Mixed color waste

• Waste from color changes

• Skin formation in containers

• Contaminated returned inks

Fountain Solutions

Offset printing chemistry:

• Alcohol-based fountain solution (IPA)

• Non-alcohol fountain solutions

• Dampening system chemistry

• pH buffers and additives

Waste characteristics:

• Aqueous solutions

• May contain 5-25% isopropyl alcohol

• pH typically 4.5-5.5 (acidic)

• Contains ink residues

• Often high biological oxygen demand (BOD)

Disposal options:

• Evaporation (where permitted, with air permits)

• Wastewater treatment (if meets discharge limits)

• Hazardous waste disposal (if ignitable or doesn't meet discharge limits)

Cleaning Solvents

Press and equipment cleaning:

• Mineral spirits

• Naphtha

• Proprietary blanket washes

• Roller wash solutions

• Press cleaners

• Denatured alcohol

• Acetone

• MEK (methyl ethyl ketone)

• Ethyl acetate

• N-propyl acetate

Characteristics:

• Flammable (D001)

• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

• Becomes contaminated with inks

• Often listed waste codes (F-listed solvents)

F-listed spent solvents:

• F003 (acetone, methanol, others used in cleaning)

• F005 (MEK, toluene, others)

• Printing use qualifies as "degreasing"

Blanket and Roller Wash

Press maintenance:

• Blanket cleaning solutions

• Roller wash

• Press wash concentrates

• Diluted wash solutions

Contamination:

• Ink residues

• Paper dust and lint

• Gum residues

• Emulsified in wash solution

Disposal:

• Typically ignitable hazardous waste

• May be F-listed solvents

• High volumes in large operations

Contaminated Shop Towels and Rags

Wiping materials:

• Cotton shop towels (reusable)

• Disposable paper towels

• Wiping rags

• Absorbent pads

Contamination:

• Printing inks

• Solvents

• Oils and lubricants

• Mixed chemicals

Special considerations:

• Fire hazard (spontaneous combustion)

• Must be stored in fire-safe containers

• Laundry service vs. disposal options

• Some states allow universal waste classification

Used Press Oils and Lubricants

Press maintenance:

• Hydraulic oil

• Gear oil

• Lubricating oil

• Chain oil

Management:

• Often can be recycled as used oil

• Cannot contain significant solvent contamination

• Halogen testing may be required

• If contaminated, may be hazardous waste

Plate Processing Chemicals

Computer-to-Plate (CTP) waste:

• Plate developer

• Plate processor chemistry

• Fixer solutions (older systems)

• Gum solutions

Characteristics:

• Often alkaline

• May contain silver (fixer)

• Corrosive waste (D002)

• Silver recovery opportunities (fixer)

Note: Many modern CTP systems are processless or chemistry-free, reducing this waste stream

Coatings and Varnishes

Finishing materials:

• UV coatings

• Aqueous coatings

• Varnishes

• Overprint varnish

Waste:

• Expired materials

• Contaminated products

• Press washup waste

• Usually less problematic than inks

Aerosol Cans

Common aerosols:

• Press cleaning sprays

• Degreasers

• Lubricants

• Adhesive removers

• Anti-static sprays

• Dusters

Management:

• Universal waste in many states

• Proper collection and recycling

• Puncturing systems for high volume

Printing Waste Regulations

EPA RCRA Regulations

Hazardous Waste Determination:

Printing waste may be hazardous if:

• Ignitable (flash point <140°F) - D001

• Corrosive (pH ≤2 or ≥12.5) - D002

• Contains toxic metals (TCLP testing) - D004-D011

• Listed hazardous waste (F-listed solvents)

Generator Category:

Depends on monthly generation:

• Large Quantity Generator (LQG): >1,000 kg/month (2,200 lbs)

• Small Quantity Generator (SQG): 100-1,000 kg/month

• Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG): <100 kg/month

Most commercial printers are SQG or LQG

Clean Water Act & Discharge Limits

Wastewater discharge:

• May not discharge hazardous waste to sewer

• Must meet local pretreatment standards

• pH limits (typically 5.0-11.0)

• Heavy metal limits

• BOD/COD limits

• Oil and grease limits

Fountain solution discharge:

• Must meet all limits

• Cannot be ignitable (>alcohol limit)

• Often requires pH adjustment

• May require VOC control

Air Quality Regulations

VOC Emissions:

• State and local air quality rules

• VOC content limits in materials

• Capture and control requirements

• Recordkeeping and reporting

Affects:

• Solvent use

• Evaporation practices

• Cleaning operations

State Regulations

State-specific rules:

• California: Strict hazardous waste and air rules

• New York: Additional requirements

• Texas: State hazardous waste program

• Florida: State program requirements

• Each state may have unique rules

DOT Transportation

Shipping hazardous waste:

• Proper packaging

• Labeling and placarding

• Shipping papers

• Driver training

• We handle all DOT compliance

Our Printing Industry Waste Services

Regular Scheduled Pickup

Containerized collection:

• Weekly pickups for high-volume operations

• Bi-weekly service for medium operations

• Monthly service for smaller shops

• Quarterly service for minimal generators

We provide:

• Proper drums and containers (30, 55-gallon)

• Container exchange service

• Scheduled pickups on your route

• All manifests and documentation

• Disposal certificates

Benefits:

• Prevents accumulation

• Predictable costs

• Maintains compliance

• Convenient service

Waste Segregation Programs

Proper segregation reduces costs:

• Inks separate from solvents

• Aqueous waste separate from solvent-based

• Clean used oil separate from contaminated

• Fountain solution separate from press wash

We help with:

• Container setup and labeling

• Employee training on segregation

• Optimization for cost savings

• Compliance with regulations

Bulk Liquid Collection

For large operations:

• Tanker truck service

• Direct pump-out of waste tanks

• 2,000-6,000 gallon capacity

• Scheduled or on-demand

Best for:

• High-volume printers

• Operations with bulk storage

• Regular generation of similar waste

Waste Characterization

We determine:

• Flash point testing (ignitability)

• pH testing (corrosivity)

• TCLP testing if needed

• Proper EPA waste codes

• F-listed vs. characteristic waste

• Disposal pathway

Why it matters:

• Determines disposal method

• Affects disposal cost

• Required for manifesting

• Ensures compliance

Used Oil Recycling

Press oils and lubricants:

• Free recycling for clean used oil

• Testing for contamination

• Proper documentation

• Environmental benefit

Requirements:

• Cannot be mixed with solvents

• Halogen content limits

• No significant contamination

Solvent Distillation & Recycling

For large solvent users:

• On-site distillation systems

• Recover and reuse solvents

• Reduce disposal costs

• Reduce purchasing costs

We can:

• Evaluate feasibility

• Recommend systems

• Dispose of still bottoms

• Service and maintain systems

Contaminated Materials Disposal

Rags, absorbents, filters:

• Ink-contaminated shop towels

• Solvent-contaminated rags

• Absorbents from spills

• Press cleaning materials

• Paint booth filters (if applicable)

Fire-safe collection:

• Self-closing metal drums

• Regular pickup

• Prevent spontaneous combustion

Aerosol Can Disposal

For printing aerosols:

• Proper collection containers

• Regular pickup

• Universal waste management

• Recycling when possible

• Puncturing systems for high volume

Emergency Spill Response

24/7 availability:

• Ink spills

• Solvent releases

• Equipment failures

• Fire marshal directives

• EPA inspections

Rapid response to minimize downtime

Training & Consultation

We help printers:

• Understand regulations

• Implement proper procedures

• Train employees on waste handling

• Reduce disposal costs

• Maintain compliance

• Prepare for inspections

Printing Waste Disposal Costs

Cost Factors:

• Type of waste (ink, solvent, fountain solution)

• Hazardous characteristics

• Volume generated

• Service frequency

• F-listed vs. characteristic waste

• Segregation level

• Location

Typical Pricing:

Printing Inks:

• Process inks: $3-$8 per gallon

• Specialty inks: $5-$12 per gallon

• UV inks: $4-$10 per gallon

• Mixed ink waste: $4-$10 per gallon

Solvents:

• Blanket/roller wash: $5-$12 per gallon

• Cleaning solvents: $6-$15 per gallon

• F-listed solvents: $8-$18 per gallon

• Mixed solvent waste: $7-$15 per gallon

Fountain Solutions:

• Alcohol-based fountain solution: $2-$6 per gallon

• Non-alcohol fountain solution: $1-$4 per gallon

• May be non-hazardous if pH adjusted

Aqueous Waste:

• Press wash water: $1-$4 per gallon

• Clean rinse water: $0.50-$2 per gallon (if not dischargeable)

Contaminated Materials:

• Ink-soaked rags: $200-$500 per 55-gallon drum

• Solvent-contaminated towels: $250-$600 per drum

• Shop towel service: $150-$400 per drum

Used Oil:

• Clean used oil: Often FREE recycling (may receive credit)

• Contaminated oil: $2-$6 per gallon

Plate Processing:

• Developer/fixer: $2-$5 per gallon

• Silver recovery available (fixer)

Regular Service Costs:

• Weekly pickup (high volume): $800-$2,500/week

• Monthly pickup (medium): $500-$2,000/month

• Quarterly pickup (small): $300-$1,000/quarter

Minimum pickup charge: $150-$300

Volume discounts and contract pricing available

Call (800) 582-4833 for customized pricing for your printing operation

Cost Reduction Strategies for Printers

Waste Minimization

Reduce generation:

• Accurate color matching (less mixing/waste)

• Better inventory management

• Use up materials before expiration

• Minimize press washups

• Optimize plate-to-plate color changes

• Train press operators on waste reduction

Proper Segregation

Keep waste streams separate:

• Inks separate from solvents

• Aqueous separate from solvent-based

• Clean used oil separate

• Don't contaminate less hazardous streams

Savings:

• Can reduce costs by 30-50%

• Allows beneficial reuse of some streams

• Better disposal options

Alternative Products

Lower waste options:

• Water-based inks where possible

• Low-VOC cleaning products

• Non-alcohol fountain solutions

• Soy-based inks

• UV inks (no solvents)

Solvent Recovery

Distillation systems:

• For high-volume solvent users

• Recover 85-95% of solvents

• ROI typically 1-3 years

• Reduces disposal and purchasing

Fountain Solution Management

Reduce disposal:

• Longer solution life (proper maintenance)

• Recycling systems (filtration/treatment)

• pH adjustment for discharge (where permitted)

• Evaporation (with air permits)

Shop Towel Programs

Reusable vs. disposable:

• Laundry service for cloth towels

• Reduces disposal costs

• Predictable monthly costs

• May exempt from hazardous waste (some states)

Common Printing Company Scenarios

Medium Commercial Offset Printer

A 50-employee commercial printer runs 4 offset presses (sheetfed and web). Generates 500 gallons monthly of waste fountain solution, 300 gallons of ink waste, 200 gallons of blanket wash, and 8 drums of contaminated shop towels. We provide monthly pickup with proper segregation.

Monthly waste: ~1,000 gallons + materials
Monthly cost: $3,000-$6,000

Small Print Shop

A 10-employee print shop with 2 small offset presses generates 100 gallons monthly of mixed printing waste and 2 drums of shop towels. We provide monthly pickup service with combined waste collection.

Monthly waste: 100 gallons + 2 drums
Monthly cost: $600-$1,200

Large Flexographic Printer

A flexible packaging printer with 6 wide-web flexo presses generates 2,000 gallons monthly of solvent-based waste including inks and cleaning solvents. We provide weekly bulk pickup with tanker service.

Monthly waste: 2,000 gallons
Monthly cost: $12,000-$25,000

Screen Printing Operation

A screen printing shop generates 200 gallons monthly of solvent waste (inks and cleaners) plus emulsion waste and contaminated rags. We provide monthly pickup with proper segregation.

Monthly waste: 200 gallons + materials
Monthly cost: $1,500-$3,000

Digital Printing Company

A digital printing operation generates minimal hazardous waste - primarily maintenance fluids and contaminated materials. We provide quarterly pickup service.

Quarterly waste: 50 gallons + materials
Quarterly cost: $400-$800

Why Printing Companies Choose Us

Industry Expertise

Over 30 years serving the printing industry. We understand your operations, materials, and challenges.

Cost-Effective Solutions

Competitive pricing with volume discounts. We help you minimize costs through proper segregation and waste reduction.

Flexible Service

Weekly, monthly, or quarterly pickup. We work around your production schedules.

Complete Compliance

We ensure your operation meets all EPA, DOT, and state regulations. Full documentation provided.

Waste Reduction Consulting

We help you reduce waste generation and disposal costs. Maximize reuse and recycling opportunities.

Reliable Service

Dependable pickup schedules. We understand that waste backup impacts production.

Industry Certifications Support

Help maintain certifications (FSC, SFI, ISO 14001) through proper waste management documentation.

Best Practices for Printing Waste Management

Waste Container Management

• Proper containers for each waste type

• Keep containers closed when not in use

• Label clearly with contents

• Date when container started

• Don't overfill (leave headspace)

• Store in designated waste area

Employee Training

• Train all press operators on waste handling

• Proper segregation procedures

• Container labeling requirements

• Spill response procedures

• When to contact waste disposal service

• Annual refresher training

Spill Prevention

• Proper storage of inks and chemicals

• Spill containment under chemical storage

• Drip pans under press wash areas

• Proper transfer procedures

• Maintenance to prevent leaks

Record Keeping

• Maintain all waste manifests (3+ years)

• Track monthly generation

• Monitor generator status

• Keep disposal certificates

• Document training

Regular Inspections

• Weekly waste area inspections

• Check container conditions

• Verify proper labeling

• Look for leaks or spills

• Ensure compliance

Getting Started

Initial Assessment

We'll evaluate:

• Current waste streams and quantities

• Existing waste management practices

• Opportunities for cost reduction

• Proper segregation setup

• Regulatory compliance status

Service Setup

We provide:

• Appropriate containers for each waste type

• Proper labels and documentation

• Written procedures

• Employee training materials

• Service schedule

• Emergency contact information

Ongoing Support

We're here for you:

• Scheduled pickups

• Regulatory updates

• Waste reduction consulting

• Training support

• Emergency response

• Questions and concerns

Get Started with Printing Waste Services

Call (800) 582-4833 or email info@hazardouswastedisposal.com

What to have ready:

• Company name and location

• Type of printing (offset, flexo, screen, digital, etc.)

• Types of waste generated

• Approximate monthly quantities

• Current disposal practices

• Desired service frequency

We'll provide:

• Free consultation and assessment

• Customized service plan

• Competitive pricing

• Container recommendations

• Written proposal

• Service agreement

Services available:

• Regular scheduled pickup

• Bulk liquid collection

• Waste characterization

• Used oil recycling

• Contaminated materials disposal

• Aerosol can disposal

• Emergency spill response

• Training and consultation

• Multi-location service

• Contract pricing

Serving printing companies nationwide, since 1992 - comprehensive waste management services that keep your presses running and your operation in compliance

Let us handle your waste management so you can focus on printing quality products