Ballard Medical Products Environmental Policy states:

The employees of Ballard Medical Products are committed to be responsible community and corporate citizens by preserving the environment land, air and water. We are dedicated to reducing the use of toxic chemicals, fresh water, waste to landfills, and energy, while still meeting our business objectives.

Ballard Medical conducted several projects that reduced hazardous waste generation and lowered regulatory requirements.

• Installed an aqueous cleaning system using a neutral detergent to clean equipment. This process change reduced the amount of isopropyl alcohol waste by approximately 12,000 pounds per year.
• Replaced a chemical solvent used to clean plastic molds with a less hazardous citrus cleaner.
• Implemented a purchasing policy for hazardous materials, requiring review and pre-approval by environmental and safety staff. This procedure helps ensure the facility uses the least hazardous products available and manages those products effectively.

Ballard recycles approximately 58% of its waste stream. Recycled wastes include plastic resin, plastic parts, cardboard, paper, plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and batteries. Ballard has implemented plans to be landfill-free before December 2005 by sending other wastes to a waste-to-energy incinerator.

Ballard uses energy-efficient, green-tip fluorescent bulbs. These bulbs contain less mercury than traditional fluorescents. In addition, Ballard recycles spent bulbs to prevent mercury from entering our environment.

Ballard is implementing an Environmental Management System designed to incorporate environmental considerations into everyday business practices. As part of this system, Ballard audits its processes to identify pollution prevention opportunities.

Ballard participates in the 3P (Portneuf Pollution Prevention) Organization and the Local Emergency Planning Committee.

Contact Julie Sluder at (208) 232-9399.

Information contained in this document represents examples of projects undertaken by the organization only and does not constitute DEQ certification or approval of compliance at this or any other time with federal, state, and/or local regulations, but is solely presented as an example of projects undertaken by organizations in order to prevent pollution and/or conserve resources. Ballard's installation of an aqueous cleaning system was a Supplemental Environmental Project performed to resolve an enforcement action.