Types of Waste
- GARNET SEDIMENT — abrasive plus micro fragments of material accumulating in the waterjet cutting tank
- MARBLE/GRANITE SLURRY — stone dust in the coolant water from CNC cutting
- COMPOSITE RESIN RESIDUE — small plastic particles from cutting engineered stone
- METAL SWARF — iron and aluminium fragments from waterjet metal cutting
- SPENT PUMP OIL — waste from periodic maintenance
- SPENT FILTERS — fine filters, softener resin, RO membranes
The Legal Framework (Türkiye)
- ENVIRONMENT LAW (2872) — regulates industrial waste discharge
- WASTE MANAGEMENT REGULATION — waste classification and disposal
- WATER POLLUTION CONTROL REGULATION — wastewater discharge limits
- HAZARDOUS WASTE REGULATION — oil and chemical waste form a separate category
- PROVINCIAL DIRECTORATE OF ENVIRONMENT AND URBANISATION — carries out inspections and issues permits
- YEAR-END WASTE DECLARATION — all waste quantities and the disposal method are reported
Garnet Disposal
Garnet is a natural mineral (an aluminium-iron-magnesium silicate). Its environmental impact is low and it falls in the "NON-HAZARDOUS WASTE" category:
- DISPOSAL ROUTE 1: Landfill (sent to a licensed site)
- DISPOSAL ROUTE 2: Sold to the cement and aggregate industries (recycling)
- DISPOSAL ROUTE 3: Road building / construction fill material
- RECLAMATION: In cabinet blasting, 70% is reused
- If the garnet has become contaminated (depending on the material cut — lead, chromium and so on) it may count as hazardous waste; analysis is essential
Saving on Garnet
Investing in a reclamation system substantially reduces both the garnet cost and the waste volume in high-throughput workshops — a gain that is both economic and environmental.
Marble/Granite Slurry
- Generally "NON-HAZARDOUS WASTE" — natural stone dust
- DISPOSAL: Landfill, or as aggregate to the cement industry
- PARTIAL RECLAMATION: Mosaic, landscaping aggregate, fill material
- Engineered stone slurry containing resin is a SPECIAL CASE — analysis may be required
- An annual volume of 5-20 tonnes is typical (a medium-sized workshop)
Water Management
Waterjet Cutting Water
- Garnet-laden water accumulating in the cutting tank
- The stages: 1) slurry separation → 2) filtration → 3) reclamation or discharge
- Reclamation: the cleaned water is returned to the pump (waste kept to a minimum)
- Discharge: must meet the requirement of pH 6-9 and suspended solids below 50 mg/L
- A local treatment system → should be included in the scope of the investment
CNC Marble Cutting Water
- Diamond blade coolant plus swarf washing water
- The stages: settling tank → filtration → recirculation
- The slurry (marble dust) collects at the bottom of the settling tank
- Water reclamation of 70-80% is achievable
- Periodic tank cleaning — scale and biological build-up must be prevented
Water Conditioning Wastes
- SOFTENER RESIN — a 3-5 year life; spent resin counts as "SEVERE CHEMICAL WASTE"
- SALT (softening) — may be discharged to the mains (at seawater quality)
- RO MEMBRANE — non-hazardous solid waste, replaced every 2-3 years
- COAGULANT AND FLOCCULANT (if added) — may count as chemical waste
- Filter cartridges — landfill
Pump Oil and Hydraulic Oil
The pump oil changed at the annual service falls in the HAZARDOUS WASTE category:
- An agreement with a licensed oil collection firm is essential
- The document chain: waste oil transport and disposal certificates
- Reclamation (re-refining) is carried out by a refinery
- A separate line in the annual waste declaration
- Illegal dumping → a serious financial penalty plus the risk of imprisonment
Environmental Certification
- ISO 14001 — Environmental Management System (critical for exporting workshops)
- EMAS (Europe) — a more comprehensive environmental audit
- Carbon footprint reporting — large customers may ask for it
- The waste declaration plus audit records — mandatory for certification
- Annual environmental training — operators and management
The Cost Approach to Waste Management
- Waste disposal — a contract with a licensed firm is standard
- A reclamation system — a capital item, a saving over the long term
- The waste declaration plus the administrative process — an annual operating cost
- An environmental management consultant — advisable for a medium to large workshop
- Illegal dumping → serious penalties; orderly management is always the more economical route