Incinerator
3M's Corporate Incinerator Is An Environmentally Sound Way to Dispose of Industrial Waste
At 3M, we are committed to taking responsibility for managing our own waste. It is important to us to ensure that waste is disposed in a responsible, environmentally sound manner. That's why we constructed our own incinerator in Cottage Grove in 1970. Today, our incinerator performance surpasses the requirements of the latest incinerator regulations.
Waste Fuels the Incinerator
Solvent waste processed by the incinerator provides also serves as a fuel source to operate the unit at its optimum temperature.
However, as 3M has reduced its use of solvents or increased its ability to recycle solvents, there has been a significant reduction of liquid solvent waste sent to the incinerator. To replace this lower volume of solvent waste, 3M has been forced to purchase increasing amounts of non-renewable fuel oil and natural gas to maintain the incinerator's temperature.
To reduce these outside expenditures, we have applied for an amendment to our original permit allowing us to use solvent waste from outside of 3M as a fuel source for the incinerator.
Liquid solvents are very common in everyday life. The following are examples of solvents in your home.
- Paint Thinner
- Nail polish remover
- Furniture polish
- Varnish
- Cleaning fluid
- Alcohol
Tours of the Incinerator are available. Call 651-458-2001 to schedule a tour.
Please view the Cottage Grove Update for more information.
