MEASURES THAT DON’T ADD UP

Although PWS stands alone as the leader and pioneer in the paint washout containment and recycling market, there are other companies who offer what we believe are inferior services to dispose of paint washout material. 

PAINT WASHOUT PITS

The washout pit has been around for quite some time and allow for onsite washouts.  They are sometimes constructed with hay bales and plastic but are generally just pits in the ground.  Even though current BMP’s suggest making this type of washout containment area, these pits are inherently flawed as the plastic and hay bales break down and allow the hazardous wash water to escape, creating the potential for illegal discharges into waterways.  This could also allow the hazardous wash water to escape, leach into the soil and possibly flow into a storm drain. 

We have scoured construction sites all across the Greater Sacramento area and have yet to find a washout pit that contains all the waste water and material like the PWS does.  In addition, the cost for construction, excavation and re-construction of the washout pits is cost prohibitive when compared to the PWS.

COMMONALITIES AMONGST EXISTING MEASURES

As you can see the most common feature amongst the existing measures mentioned is the lack of regulatory compliance and overall risk management.  Also, there will most likely be an increase in waste generation instead of reducing it by diversion and recycling.  Using these systems may in fact increase your company’s risk relating to paint washout containment.