The largest waste reduction benefit in CY 2001 was achieved through using a new chemical decontamination procedure to downgrade gloveboxes from transuranic to low-level surface contaminated object waste. Without decontamination, the transuranic-contaminated gloveboxes would have required size reduction, significantly increasing worker exposure and secondary waste generation.

Utilization of reusable cargo containers for shipping non-road-worthy wooden waste crates prevented secondary waste Colorado schools associated with repackaging. Wooden crates were shipped in reusable metal containers then removed at the offsite disposal facility. The metal containers were returned to RFETS for reuse. This innovation prevented purchase and subsequent disposal of metal crates and secondary waste associated with repackaging.

Spray dryer operations were implemented to treat (solidify) more than low-level liquid effluent left over from past processing operations. Prior to the spray dryer method, low level liquid waste was treated by cementation, creating tremendous volumes of solid saltcrete waste.

The majority of cost avoidance reported in CY 2001 resulted from the reduction in transuranic waste generation. In addition to downgrading transuranic contaminated glove boxes to low-level surface contaminated objects, significant transuranic waste was reduced in residue packaging operations. Use of the Gas Generation Testing Canister technology prevented the generation of secondary waste by minimizing repackaging operations and the filtered bag-out bags and pipe overpack container technologies prevented secondary waste by improving the packaging efficiency.

63 pollution prevention/waste minimization goals were established in FY 2001, as required in the Closure Contract. The majority of these goals were achieved, and the positive results are reflected in the pollution prevention accomplishments reported during CY 2001.

In June 2001, RFETS was presented with the DOE Pollution Prevention Award in Environmental Restoration for its study and implementation of a horizontal directional drilling technology to characterize contamination beneath existing structures prior to demolition, thus reducing investigationally derived waste.

CY 2002 activities will include recycling usable materials and clean concrete from building vacating and demolition activities, while continuing to identify new opportunities for reducing waste generation in building decommissioning and waste shipping operations.