Solvent Recovery Services: 3 Ways Your Business Can Benefit

Hazardous waste is often associated with pollution and regulatory headaches. However, there’s a silver lining. 

Cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions, such as solvent recovery services or solvent distillation, are turning these challenges into opportunities. 

Solvent recovery services can benefit your business by:

1. Reducing your environmental footprint
2. Helping you stay compliant
3. Reducing costs

Solvent Recovery Services Reduces Your Environmental Footprint

More businesses are trying to reduce their environmental footprint, whether by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, single-use plastics or water consumption. (You can read about some of those efforts in our article, Sustainability Definition Example In Today’s Industry.)

For manufacturers that generate spent solvents, solvent distillation or solvent recovery services can help these companies reduce their environmental footprint. Solvent recovery reduces the amount of waste industrial facilities generate by reclaiming and purifying solvents from waste streams.

During the solvent distillation process, a liquid or vapor mixture of two or more substances is separated into component fractions of desired purity. Solvent distillation apparatus separates the solvents from other substances through the application of heat. 

The basic principle behind solvent distillation is to heat a liquid mixture containing solvents, causing the solvent to vaporize. The vapor is then condensed back into a liquid form, resulting in the separation and recovery of the solvent. The purified solvents are then returned to their original form, ready to be reintroduced into industrial processes.

In the end, the best solvent distillation plants waste nothing. For example, at Samex, any leftover still bottoms that are generated during the solvent distillation process are taken to our fuel blending area, where they are blended with other flammable liquids - a process that meets the specifications of cement kilns that use the blend as an alternative fuel source. 

A water treatment plant on site takes commercially clean, nonhazardous water and repurposes it for brick manufacturing. Any solid byproducts from the treatment process are transported to the fuel blending area, where they become part of the repurposed waste sent to the cement kiln to be used as an alternative fuel. 

Solvent recycling also conserves resources by maximizing the use of existing materials. When spent solvents are disposed of as waste, they must be replaced. That means new raw materials must be extracted to replace the discarded resources. Solvent distillation preserves valuable resources, minimizing the environmental impact of production.

Solvent Recovery Services Helps You Stay Compliant

Today’s environmental regulations are strict, and for good reason, since they aim to protect natural ecosystems and public health. However, for businesses, complying with these regulations can pose significant financial and operational challenges.

Properly managing the solvent waste that your factory or manufacturing facility generates is critical for staying compliant. Improperly disposing of spent solvents can be a dangerous path to take, exposing the public and environment to hazardous chemicals while opening up the door to costly fines and a public relations nightmare for your company.

Managing your hazardous waste using solvent recovery services can help minimize environmental impact, reduce regulatory risks and potentially even lower overall waste disposal costs for your company (which we’ll explore more in the next section).

Many companies located in the Southwest United States don’t realize that it’s safe and legal to export hazardous waste to Mexico. This can reduce liability and help you stay compliant. 

In the United States, you are responsible for your hazardous waste streams from the moment they are generated to the moment they are properly disposed of. This is known as the cradle to grave definition. 

Samex operates state-of-the-art recycling technologies in Tijuana. When transporting your waste to Mexico to our facility, your liability for that waste ends at the U.S. border. From there, Samex becomes the exporter for that waste. You can read more about what the export process looks like in our article, Is Exporting Hazardous Waste Safe?.

Partnering with experienced waste management providers like Samex ensures compliance with international and local environmental regulations throughout the disposal process, safeguarding your business from legal repercussions and reinforcing your commitment to sustainable practices.

Solvent Recovery Services Can Reduce Costs

Reclaiming and purifying solvents for reuse can reduce costs for your facility. Instead of continuously purchasing new solvents for your manufacturing processes, recovered solvents can be reintegrated. Over time, this can lead to substantial savings costs.

If you’re a generator in the Western United States as well, especially in the Southwest, transporting your waste streams to Samex may be your most cost-effective option. 

Certain waste streams that include flammable solvents, ketones, paint-related materials and flammable liquids require special processing. Shipping these waste streams that are highly regulated may be cost-prohibitive. 

In the end, while cost savings are important to any business, becoming more sustainable and staying compliant with environmental regulations will ultimately drive your business into the future of manufacturing, ensuring long-term success and operational efficiency.