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SorbIts® Frequently Asked Questions
How the Program Works
Can you service our location?
We can provide the SorbIts® program to almost anywhere in the continental U.S. (EPA regulations do not allow us to implement our SorbIts® program in California).
What kind of fluids can I use SorbIts® for?
SorbIts® absorbents are designed to readily address most applications involving non-hazardous fluid and petroleum-derived or synthetic oils such as engine oils, transmission fluid, metalworking fluids and oils, industrial hydraulic fluid and industrial process oils.
What if my employees throw the product away?
Our service team will meet with you to ensure the SorbIts® system program runs smoothly. We’ll educate end users, using signage and literature, on the proper handling of SorbIts® products. This is an important step in ensuring that SorbIts® products are used efficiently.
Do we need a waste profile or manifest for SorbIts®?
No waste profile or manifest needed.
What kind of customer support do you offer?
You will be assigned a Genuine Service Excellence team to manage the SorbIts® program for you. An ITU AbsorbTech Account Executive or District Manager will visit or call your on a regular scheduled basis to audit your program. They will review cost, usage and inventory reports to ensure the program is meeting your needs and make recommendations on service adjustments to keep costs in line with budget. You can contact your account representative at any time with questions or concerns.
You will also have access to our Customer Response Center (CRC) team located at our headquarters in New Berlin, WI at 888-729-4884. CRC team members are empowered to handle your requests and document all calls for future reference. 85% of all customer requests are fulfilled immediately.
How is SorbIts® different from a ‘pay by the drum’ program?
There are a few programs that offer ‘pay by the drum’ absorbent service where drums of product are dropped off at your facility, and you pay a fee per drum of soiled product for laundering. The SorbIts® program is different in several ways:
- We will not deliver more/excessive product than what is needed. This ensures employees aren’t wasting or misusing product and also keeps your shelves clear of clutter.
- Instead of simply dropping off product, we will conduct a needs analysis to recommend type, quantity, and location of absorbents for your facility.
- You will be assigned a dedicated service representative who will manage your program with regular, scheduled visits (no need to call for delivery and pickups).
- We will manage your inventory up and down (with your approval) to meet your needs. We will review usage reports to determine how effectively the program being utilized.
- Controlled inventory ensures simple, predictable billing each month.
- We conduct regular service visits to ensure a successful program, and train and retrain employees as needed.
- Our program is 20-40% lower in cost compared to a ‘pay by the drum’ service.
Environmental Responsibility – Laundering & Reuse
How are SorbIts® cleaned?
Our state-of-the-art petroleum solvent dry cleaning operations are designed to clean our SorbIts® products, and water-sensitive materials such as leather gloves. We use petroleum solvent instead of the more common retail dry cleaning solvent called perchloroethylene. Perchloroethylene (also called PERC) is a colorless, nonflammable liquid commonly used in the dry cleaning industry that has been labeled by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a Group 2A carcinogen.
Soiled products are washed in large capacity washer-extractors. These machines remove the soil by agitating and dissolving it in solvent, much like paint thinner cleaning a paintbrush. This process is repeated several times. The product is centrifugally extracted a final time and then transferred to a solvent recovery dryer for drying. The dryer evaporates and recondenses the residual solvent, which is reused. The products are then inspected and delivered to the customers for reuse.
Where does the waste from SorbIts® go?
Dirty solvent is processed for reuse on site. Soils that have been removed by the solvent are collected and concentrated in the still bottoms of distillation units (stills) as the solvent is recovered.
A secondary type of distillation is also available to recover solvent from water, oil and solids. This additional solvent recovery helps keep solvent loss at a minimum. The soils that came in on the various products are now recovered oil, ready for shipping by licensed transporters to a commodity broker for re-refining or for use as an industrial fuel.
Do we need a waste profile or manifest for SorbIts®?
No waste profile or manifest needed.
What happens to SorbIts® at end of life?
We strive to maximize the use of our products. Mats that no longer meet quality standards are cut down to smaller size mats or drum top liners and are also are used for spill kit sock filling. Quilted pads are cut down into smaller quilts or used for spill kit pillow filling.
Scraps that cannot be used for anything else are sent to our Neenah facility where they are recycled.
Is ITU AbsorbTech a responsible company in handling my waste?
Yes! ITU AbsorbTech has invested in specialized waste handling equipment to minimize the cradle-to-grave responsibility for the services we provide. We are properly permitted and in compliance with all regulations. Our doors are open to show you how we operate and how our services work. Few other laundries are equipped to handle heavy industrial soils as responsibly. The waste oils which result from our cleaning processes are either recycled or fuel blended for thermal destruction.
Our company has won numerous environmental awards including the Gathering of Waters Award, Business Friend of the Environment, Partners for Clean Air Award, Wisconsin Governor’s Award for Waste Reduction and Recycling, Clean Bay Backer, and Significant Industrial User Honor Roll. All of our processing facilities are registered to ISO 14001.
Program Costs
Can I just buy the absorbents?
SorbIts® are part of a rental program, which includes a managed inventory of absorbents, pick-up, delivery, laundering, and program reporting. Total cost is based on the type and quantity of SorbIts® needed. Customers typically save 15%-30% compared to disposables because it eliminates costly landfill and incineration services. Check out our savings calculator to estimate cost and waste savings compared to disposables.
How much does the program cost?
SorbIts® is a rental program. Total cost is based on the type and quantity of SorbIts® needed. Customers typically save 15%-30% compared to disposables because it eliminates costly landfill and incineration services. Visit ITUAbsorbTech.com/savingscalculator to estimate potential savings or contact us for a proposal.
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