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Using environmentally safe corrosion protection materials is not just the responsible choice, but also aligns with stricter regulations, promotes worker and public health, and can offer cost-effective benefits in the long run.
By  Ana Juraga

Corrosion protection is hugely important for several reasons. Most importantly, corrosion protection can save lives. Damaged equipment can cause accidents in production. Corrosion can weaken structures and equipment, which leads to failures and accidents. For example, corroded bridges could collapse, and corroded pipes could leak dangerous substances. Proper corrosion protection helps to ensure that these structures and equipment remain safe. It can be very expensive to repair or replace corroded materials. Taking steps to prevent corrosion enables us to achieve significant savings. Corrosion can also lead to environmental problems. Corroded pipes for instance can leak pollutants into the soil or water. Proper corrosion protection can help to protect the environment without toxic substances. For this reason, it is important to carefully select environmentally safe corrosion protection methods.

Impact on Vehicles
Corrosion is a big concern for the waste industry. It can have a negative impact on trucks and recycling equipment such as:
• Reduced Lifespan: Constant exposure to corrosive materials like road salts, leachate (liquids from landfills), and acidic residues from waste can eat away at metal components on trucks. This weakens the structure, leading to premature breakdowns and replacements.
• Safety Hazards: Corrosion can compromise the structural integrity of trucks, potentially causing parts to fail. It can cause safety risks for drivers and the public. Corrosion can weaken structural components, increasing the risk of accidents for workers and potential damage to property.
• Increased Maintenance Costs: Regular inspections and repairs become necessary to address corrosion issues, adding to overall maintenance expenses.
• Equipment Failure: Similar to trucks, recycling equipment deals with various corrosive materials during the sorting and processing of waste. This can damage machinery, leading to breakdowns and production delays. Waste equipment encounters a constant barrage of corrosive materials. This disrupts operations and creates significant financial burdens.
• Contamination Risks: Breaches caused by corrosion can allow contaminated liquids to leak from equipment. This poses environmental hazards and requires immediate attention.

Combatting Corrosion
There are many strategies available to minimize corrosion’s impact in waste industry. The most efficient are:
• Anticorrosion Coatings: Applying anti-corrosion coatings on vulnerable surfaces can create a barrier against corrosive elements.
• Regular Maintenance: Frequent inspections, cleaning, and timely repairs help identify and address corrosion problems before they escalate.
By having in mind dangers of corrosion control, waste management companies can protect their equipment, extend its lifespan and even more importantly ensure worker safety. Smart corrosion protection strategy also optimizes operational efficiency. The benefits of corrosion protection are enormous:
• Extends Equipment Lifespan: Investing in proper corrosion protection significantly increases the lifespan of trucks and recycling equipment. This translates to substantial cost savings in the long run as replacements become less frequent.
• Reduces Maintenance Costs: Early detection of corrosion issues prevents severe damage, minimizing the need for extensive repairs. Routine maintenance focuses on preventive measures, leading to lower overall costs.
• Improved Safety: Corrosion-protected equipment maintains structural integrity, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries. Worker safety becomes a top priority with less equipment failure.
• Huge Environmental Benefits: By preventing leaks and spills, corrosion protection helps maintain a cleaner environment. This reduces the risk of soil and water contamination from hazardous waste.

The Importance of Using Environmentally Safe Corrosion Protection Materials
Using environmentally safe corrosion protection materials is becoming increasingly important for industries like waste management because it reduces pollution. Traditional corrosion protection materials often contain harmful chemicals like chromates or VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Environmentally safe alternatives are formulated with non-toxic ingredients, minimizing air and water pollution during production, application, and disposal. For example, vapor phase corrosion inhibitors are technology that simplifies corrosion protection and is ideal for keeping enclosed void spaces (e.g., packages, equipment internals, or structural metal cavities) free from corrosion. The molecules diffuse from areas of high concentration to low concentration reaching all areas of the enclosure. Vapor phase corrosion inhibitors are effective at protecting multi-metals in electrical, static, rotating, and civil equipment and structures. This technology is designed to save time, money, and offer more thorough, reliable, and easier-to-use protection than a variety of other metals preservation strategies. Vapor phase corrosion inhibitors are generally safe to handle and non-toxic. Most products are recyclable or water-based and have a lower environmental impact than many harsher chemicals.

Waste disposal is also safer. When traditional coatings need removal, they often generate hazardous waste requiring special and expensive disposal procedures. Green, environmentally friendly materials often have minimal environmental impact at the end of their lifecycle. Applying and maintaining traditional corrosion protection methods can expose workers to hazardous chemicals, posing health risks. Eco-friendly materials are much less toxic, creating a safer work environment. When mentioning manufacturing facilities and waste treatment plants, it is important to notice that using traditional coatings might release harmful chemicals into the surrounding environment, potentially impacting public health. Green, safer options will enable cleaner surroundings and communities. Using environmentally safe corrosion protection materials is not just the responsible choice, but also aligns with stricter regulations, promotes worker and public health, and can offer cost-effective benefits in the long run. | WA

Ana Juraga has been a content writer at Cortec Corporation for 14 years. Besides dealing with media relations she collaborates with Cortec’s engineers and chemists in creating informative technical content. She is passionate about educating engineering community about green corrosion-inhibiting technologies and numerous advances in this field. For more information, visit .