Dow Chemical (B): Waste Reduction at Bayside

This case study examines waste reduction efforts at Dow Chemical's Bayside Division in Maryland, contrasting its approach with the company's WRAP program used in the Louisiana Division. Bayside utilized statistical process control (SPC) training and a suggestion box system to identify and implement smaller-scale waste reduction projects.

• The Bayside Division utilized a statistical process control (SPC) program to drive waste reduction, integrating it into operator training. This training required operators to apply SPC to a plant waste stream and propose a corresponding waste reduction project.
• One plant within the Bayside Division implemented a suggestion box system for waste reduction projects. Suggestions were reviewed monthly by an oversight committee of an engineer and shop floor employees, who authorized funding and awarded prizes. The system placed primary responsibility on shop floor employees, with engineers providing technical assistance and no auditing of proposals to minimize administrative time.
• Waste reduction projects at Bayside competed for limited funds within an investment budget determined during the annual budgeting cycle. This budget was allocated to plants based on a fraction of their capital base and covered various needs including equipment purchases and facilities modernization; once exhausted, obtaining further investment funds was very difficult.
• Waste reduction projects at the Bayside Division differed from those of the WRAP program in the Louisiana Division by being smaller, less complex, and more focused on housekeeping changes, such as materials and handling, rather than process design. Investments for Bayside projects were consistently under $200,000.

APA

Baker, K. (1994). Dow Chemical (B): Waste Reduction at Bayside. World Resources Institute. https://pdf.wri.org/bell/case_1-56973-184-5_full_version_b_english.pdf

Chicago

Baker, Kenneth. Dow Chemical (B): Waste Reduction at Bayside. World Resources Institute, 1994. https://pdf.wri.org/bell/case_1-56973-184-5_full_version_b_english.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Baker |first1=Kenneth |title=Dow Chemical (B): Waste Reduction at Bayside |publisher=World Resources Institute |date=1994 |url=https://pdf.wri.org/bell/case_1-56973-184-5_full_version_b_english.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{baker1994dow, author = {Baker, Kenneth}, title = {{Dow Chemical (B): Waste Reduction at Bayside}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {1994}, url = {https://pdf.wri.org/bell/case_1-56973-184-5_full_version_b_english.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }