Research on Waste Reduction in Food
Canning Operations
JACK W. RALLS, Research Manager
WALTER A. MERCER, Associate Director
WALTER W. ROSE, Head
Water and Waste Engineering Section
FRANK C. LAMB, Head
Chemistry Section
Western Research Laboratory
National Canners Association
Berkeley, California
INTRODUCTION
The production of canned foods generates large quantities of liquid and solid
wastes which must be managed efficiently to avoid environmental pollution. The
volume of canned foods packed is increasing each year. At the same time,
urban growth is forcing many canneries to use more expensive disposal methods
for waste products. In many areas of the nation, the long-used methods such as
lagooning are no longer acceptable means of disposal. Population growth in certain urban areas, where communities of canneries have operated without major
problems for many years, has caused over-taxing of municipal treatment plant
capacities.
The recognition of the importance of the problem of environmental pollution
by the canning industry is reflected in the following resolution which was adopted
at the 61st Annual Convention of the National Canners Association in 1968.
The canning industry continues to recognize its responsibility for the development of solutions to pollution problems created by the discharge of cannery waste
and that a closely coordinated industry effort, including continuing research at
both the laboratory and plant level, is the most efficient and economical means
of developing effective pollution control. The inter-dependence of farmers,
processors, workers, and the communities in which they reside ... the magnitude
and interstate character of the food industry's pollution problems, and the overriding interest of the consuming public in a wholesome, abundant and economical
food supply ... make it imperative that federal and state authorities not only establish realistic guidelines and objectives, but that they also participate actively
and substantially in the development of solutions to these problems. These solutions cannot be found or implemented overnight, or on a crash-program basis.
Necessarily, the producers and processors of our food supply must be allowed to
continue and expand the production of food for a hungry world, while at the same
time adjusting to the demands and costs of keeping the streams of our nation
clean.
To meet this critical situation, the National Canners Association has initiated
a five-point program to help the industry meet the regulations on waste discharge
which will be enforced within a few years.
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