Background
EPA launched the Sustainable Industry (SI) Program in 1993 to explore a new approach to policy development. The approach is based on the premise that studying an industry in close cooperation with its decision-makers and other stakeholders gives government a better understanding of the sometimes subtle reasons why businesses embrace or resist actions to protect the environment. Once government agencies understand these reasons, they can shape policies that take advantage of incentives for exceptional performance and overcome obstacles to success. The results should be reduced costs for industry and better environmental performance.

AFS began partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the Metalcasting Sector Program in 1998. In order to better understand the metalcasting process, industry and issues, EPA staff visited several foundries, participated in industry conferences, and conducted over 40 interviews with business owners and managers. In 1999, expert panels provided feedback and identified priority issues that they would like to pursue through the Program. Larger stakeholder groups were organized, projects were identified and work began.

The AFS/EPA Metalcasting Sector Partnership has focused on several key areas including: compliance assistance, ISO 14000 and other environmental management systems and the beneficial reuse of foundry sand. To follow is a summary of the projects completed and underway.

Comprehensive Environmental Assistance 

• "ABCs of Waste Management" posters. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
• Checklist of regulatory requirements and deadlines.
• Reference Guide to existing federal and state compliance assistance resources.

Environmental Management System Pilot Program for Foundries

• EPA partnered with AFS, the Indiana Cast Metals Association (INCMA), the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and seven IN foundries on the pilot.
• Utilizing an interactive group process, the foundries were walked through the process for adopting an EMS including preparation, evaluation, application and review.
• Feedback from the stakeholders and materials developed by the participants were used to develop of a foundry-specific EMS/ISO 14000 adoption tool. EMS/ISO 14000 adoption tool (pdf).

Beneficial Reuse of Foundry Sand

• Guide to state practices and regulations
• State Beneficial Reuse Toolkit. (under development)
• Foundry sand "Best Management Practices" guide (draft available here for review)
• Industry Survey to characterize sand usage, disposal and reuse practices (pdf)
• Identification of federal construction projects where foundry sand could be beneficially reused

For more information on any of these projects, please contact the AFS Washington Office at 202/842-4864.