Waste Minimization in the Etching Process

With the increasing costs and liabilities associated with waste generation, it has become a necessity for industry to look more closely at its process areas to identify ways in which waste generation can be minimized. This paper will focus on minimizing waste generation from etching processes in the photochemical machining (PCM) and printed circuit board(PCB) industries. Waste Minimization refers to the reduction or elimination of waste generation. Waste minimization can take the form of source reduction, recycling/reuse, and some forms of alternative treatment. Although the current focus of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is on hazardous waste reduction, it is important to consider a multi-media approach to waste minimization, including reduction of wastes to air, water, and land.