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Printing -- Lithography Topic Hub

Basic information on lithographic printing, including pollution prevention options and links to additional resources.

Regulated Wastes And Outputs

Prepress - Imaging Process

Outputs Regulation(s)
Exposed, waste, and out-of-date film

Hazardous Waste
Solid Waste

Scrap paper Solid Waste
Air vapors and odors Clean Air Act
Spent film developer

Clean Water Act
Hazardous Waste

Used rinse water from film processing Clean Water Act

Rags containing solvents
Waste paper from disposable towels

Hazardous Waste or Solid Waste

Waste solvents Hazardous Waste
Empty chemical containers Solid Waste

Prepress - Platemaking process

Outputs Regulations
Damaged or unusable plates, waste metals, paper, and plastic Hazardous Waste
Waste silver halides from silver master plates Solid Waste
Used rinse water Clean Water Act
Spent plate developer (may contain alcohol)

Clean Water Act
Clean Air Act

Production - Printing Process

Outputs Regulations(s)
Tainted and unused fountain solutions Clean Water Act
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) air emissions, from isopropyl alcohol based fountain solution Clean Air Act
Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from some glycol based fountain solutions Clean Air Act
Waste or obsolete ink Hazardous Waste
Solid Waste
Volatile organic compounds, air emissions from ink Clean Air Act 
Waste water used in cleaning (blanket wash) Clean Water Act
Waste solvent used in cleaning (blanket wash) Hazardous Waste
Solid waste from unacceptable prints, make-ready, and trim scrap paper Solid Waste
Rags and towels containing inks and solvents Hazardous Waste
Solid Waste

Finishing - Post Press Operations

Outputs Regulation(s)
Reject prints and trim scrap Solid Waste 
Used boxes and shipping materials Solid Waste 
Rags containing oil, grease, solvents, and adhesives  Hazardous Waste
Solid Waste
Waste wash water containing adhesives and/or solvents Clean Water Act
VOC emissions from solvent based adhesives Clean Air Act 
VOC emissions from cleaning solvents Clean Air Act 
Solvent parts washer waste

 Hazardous Waste