United States
                         Environmental Protection
                         Agency
                       Solid Waste
                       and Emergency Response
                       (5306W)
EPA530-F-96-019
June 1996
                         1996  Buy-Recycled  Series
                         Vehicular Products
EcoPurchasing

          as
  recycled content
      toxicity
    reusability
     durability
    repairability
  ---.*•   .
        you buy
    a product.
     If you're a fleet manager, buying recycled
     vehicular products can take you a long way
     down the road toward protecting the
 environment and saving resources. Cost-
 effective, reliable, and high quality recycled
 vehicular products such as re-refined oil,
 retreaded tires, and recycled engine coolants
 are being used with success by many
 government agencies nationwide. These products work just as
 well as comparable new products and can save money over the
 long term.
   To help you begin buying recycled, the U.S. Environmental
 Protection Agency (EPA) recently published the Comprehensive
 Procurement Guideline (CPG), which identifies seven categories of
 items, including vehicular products, that are available with
 recycled content or can be recycled on site. Federal, state, and
 local agencies and government contractors that use appropriated
 federal funds should purchase these items. EPA also released a
 companion guidance document—the Recovered Materials
 Advisory Notice (RMAN)—that recommends levels of recycled
 content that should be purchased, based on EPA's current market
 research concerning the availability, quality, and  price of recycled
 products in these categories.
   You might be unfamiliar with buying re-refined oil, retreaded
tires, or recycled engine coolant. You might think it's risky
business.  But studies and experience have shown that buying
recycled can save money, reduce solid waste, and provide markets
for recyclable materials collected nationwide.
                              Recycled/Recyclable .Printed with Vegetable Based Inks on Recycled Paper (20% Postconsumer)

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What Is The CPG?
       Recycling is growing all across
       America, making it more
       important than ever to find
buyers for these collected materials.
That's why President Clinton signed
Executive Order 12873 in October
1993, calling for an increase in the
federal government's use of recycled-
content products. Developed in
response to the Executive Order, the
CPG requires federal agencies to give
preference to EPA-designated items
made with recovered materials—which
in turn will support recycling markets
and allow recycling to continue to
expand.
   Issued in May 1995, the CPG
designates 19 new products and
incorporates 5 previously designated
items (including re-refined oil and
retreaded tires) in 7 product categories
that procuring agencies are required to
purchase with recycled content. (A
procuring agency is any federal, state,
or local agency or government
contractor that uses appropriated.
federal funds to purchase products.) If
your agency spends more than $10,000
per year on a product designated in
the CPG, you are required to purchase
it with the highest recycled-content
level practicable. The CPG also applies
to lease contracts covering designated
items.
    Your agency must develop an
affirmative procurement program (or
modify its existing program) to
incorporate buy-recycled requirements
for designated products as of May I,
1996. This might involve reviewing
your specifications for these products
and eliminating provisions that might
pose barriers to their procurement
(such as aesthetic requirements
unrelated to product performance). As
soon as the program is in place, your
agency should begin following the
guidelines for purchasing designated
products.
  The CPG acknowledges, however,
that specific circumstances could arise
that would preclude the purchase of
products made with recovered
materials. Under the CPG, you may
purchase designated items that do not
contain recovered materials if you
determine that (1) the price of a given
item made with recovered materials is
unreasonable, (2) there is inadequate
competition (not enough sources of
supply) for the item, (3) unusual and
unreasonable delays would result from
obtaining the item, or (4) the item does
not meet your agency's reasonable
performance specifications.

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How Do I Purchase Recycled-Content Vehicular Products?
       To help agencies comply with
       buy-recycled requirements,
       EPA also issued guidance in
 the RMAN, which is designed to
 make it as easy as possible to comply
 with the CPG. The RMAN
 recommends recycled-content levels
 to look for when purchasing the
 vehicular products as shown in the
 chart below. Following the RMAN's
 recommended levels will help ensure
 that your purchases meet CPG
 requirements.
  The RMAN recommends recycled-
content or purchasing options that
are based on market research to
identify commercially available,
competitively priced, quality
recycled-content products.
recommends
                                               ranges
                                                that
                                                •: /
                                              whatis
             I  RMAN Recommendations for Vehicular Products
    Vehicular Product
   Re-Refined Oil.
   Retread Tires	
             airplane tires)
  • 25 percent or more re-refined
   oil base stock for lubricating
   oils, hydraulic fluids, and
   gear oils.

  • Purchase retread tires or tire
   retreading |er^ces to the
   maximum      feasible.
                                      Reclaim
                                      or contr;
                                      reclama
                                      request rj
                     pisr Qn site

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         Myths  and Facts About Recycled-Content Vehicular Products
                Iespite the fact that federal agencies have been required to buy re-refined oil
                and retreaded tires for several years, the compliance rate is low. To
                determine why agencies have been slow to accept the use of these products,
        EPA interviewed federal fleet managers, other government officials, and industry
        representatives. EPA found that managers still believed various myths about these
        products. Several agencies using recovered-content products, however, have proven
        that they work well and are cost-effective. Some of the common myths are dispelled
        below. At the end of this fact sheet, you can find an extensive list of additional
        resources for more information.
             MOil
MYTH 1: Re-refined lubricating oil is inferior to new
         lubricating oil.
FACT:   Re-refined oil is subject to the same stringent
         refining, compounding, and performance
         standards as virgin oil. Extensive laboratory
         testing and field studies conducted by the
         National Bureau of Standards (now NIST), the
         U.S. Army, the Department of Energy, the U.S.
         Postal Service (USPS), and EPA have
         concluded that re-refined oil is equivalent to
         virgin oil, it passes all prescribed tests, and it
         can even outperform virgin oil. The American
         Petroleum Institute (API) has licensed
         qualified re-refined oil products, which
         display the API starburst and/or donut
         symbol.


MYTH 2: Re-refined oil costs more than virgin oil.
FACT:   In most cases, re-refined oil prices  are
         comparable to equivalent virgin oil product
         pricing. WAL-MART, a national distributor of
         vehicular oils, is currently selling a re-refined
         oil for 10 percent less than virgin oils.
          Re-refined oil product pricing is affected by a
          number of variables, however, including
          availability of used oil. The best method for
          determining price is through the marketplace.

 MYTH 3: Using re-refined oil voids manufacturers'
          warranties.
 FACT:    All three of the major U.S. automobile
          manufacturers (Ford, General Motors, and
          Chrysler) now recognize that re-refined oil can
          meet the performance criteria specified in
          their warranties. Each has issued a written
          statement explaining that the use of re-refined
          oil will not void warranties. Warranty
          requirements are based on performance
          criteria, not on the origin of the base oil. As
          long as the oil meets the warranty
          requirements, which many re-refined oils do,
          the warranty must be honored.
I CASE STUDY: USPS is using re-refined oil-based *
! lubricants in more than 100,000 vehicles,(more,,tha£im
I one-half of its fleet). USPS also implemented a closed
| |oop recycling program whereby its used oil is
? collected, re-refined, and sold back to the service,
• After numerous vehicle miles, chemical analyses
I of re-refined and virgin oil samples taken from USPS
| vehicles showed that using re-refined oil was no
i different than using virgin oil-based lubricants.
 For more inform,ation,, contact Richard Harris, USPS

.CASE STUDY: The Santa Ana, California, USPS
, District uses a closed loop system for re-refining used
= oil. In its fleet of nearly 4,500 vehicles, the district
 uses more-than 22,000 quarts of motor oil per year
^and saves more than $1,300 each year by re-refining
=its used oil. For more information, contact Jon Martin
 at 714 842-2528.

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                                                                3sf

 MYTH 1: Retreads are less safe than new tires.
 FACT:    Statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of
          Transportation show that nearly all tires
          involved in any tire-related accidents were
          underinflated or bald. Properly maintained
          tires—both new and retreaded—do not cause
          accidents. Retreaded tires have been safely
          used on school buses, trucks, cars, and fire
          engines and other emergency vehicles for years.

 MYTH 2: Retreads have a higher failure rate than new
          tires,
 FACT:    Rubber on the road comes from both new tires
          and retreaded tires, primarily from truck tires
          that are overloaded, underinflated, or
          otherwise abused, as opposed to  poor retread
          product quality. New or retreaded tire failures
          can be greatly reduced by following all the
          rules of good maintenance, including proper
          mating with regard to diameter and tread
          depth and design, as well as maintenance of
          proper air pressure.
               Engine Coolants
MYTH 1: Recycled engine coolant is inferior to new
         engine coolant.
FACT:   Testing has shown that recycled coolant can
         meet nationally-recognized performance
         specifications for new coolant, such as those
         established by the American Society for
         Testing and Materials and the Society of
         Automotive Engineers. The recycling process
         reduces the chlorides that come from hard
         water so that recycled antifreeze may actually
         be purer than the original.

MYTH 2: Recycled coolant costs more  than new
         coolant.
FACT:   Recycled coolant can cost less than new
         coolant if you select the right recycling
         process for your shop. You must consider the
         cost of new coolant and your current disposal
         costs and compare these to the cost of onsite
         or offsite recycling.
            .
      3E STUDY: After noticing poor tire
  performance in new tires, the fleet manager at
  i, Wisconsin, tested 20 retreaded tires
                        e results, he purchased
                              gyear and about
                           s in 1995, The facility
gjfias found that retreads provide superior handling
 tand fail less often than new tires. They also cost
  Siout $20,000 less per year. For more inform-
    ion, contact Jerry Cooper, General Services
 Administration Fleet Inspector, at 608 269-4429.

  .CASE STUDY: In 1992, USPS operated 172,000
 p-ejiicles and retreaded 50,000 tires. In 1994, the
   eet; grew to 202,000 vehicles that used 7Q,000 ..
  ^tee|^vt|SPS vehicles travel in all kinds of
  lfSather^pn;bot|i paved and unpaved roads. This
  5Kpercent growth in the number, of retreads over
           reflects IJSPS's belief that retreads meet
                   and quality needs. For more
             ,'.contact/Richard Harris, USPS, at
 1101268-3576:          r-    ;   ^;           ••
   ASE.STUDY: In a .pilot study, the Southeast, area
S*pf the USPS is implementing an onsite coolant
 jgC^cling program. Commercial vacuum
 ;|3is|^aticjn,machines are in use in many of the
   olta! yehicle maintenance facilities throughout
  li^^ulheast. Those facilities have substantially
 jjiducediheJ amount of new products they
 *Wchase.;Once^ all facilities make the switch,
     ^LLAQQ gallons ';(75 percent)  of concentrated ,
     lanj: will, be reused each year by the Southeast
    Stal fleet. For more information, contact Bob
      in "at 901 747-7635.
                                  ''       '
              : USPS' Huntington Beach,
 California, Vehicle Maintenance Facility uses an
 |la-lipusfi extraction and recovery process for its
 prigine coolants. The units recover virtually all of
  " i,e, ethylene glycol left in the spent coolant.
  R§,gjovering the coolant reduces total waste stream
                  , money by reducing costs for
  |,sposal and for purchasing new coolant. For
                  contact Jon Martin at

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                                                                                                 - . Jk -/-TMliJ
                                                                                                 SfVijfln
                                                                                                 V*Sl
        Myths and Facts  About Recycled-Content Vehicular Products
MYTH 3: Spent coolants are hazardous waste and those
         handling them must follow hazardous waste
         regulations.
FACT:    Spent coolants are not listed by EPA as a hazardous
         waste. Some older test data indicated used coolant
         sometimes had levels of lead requiring it to be
         regulated as a hazardous waste. Most vehicular
         radiators are now made with aluminum cores and
         plastic tanks, however, so there is less opportunity
         for lead contamination of coolant today than in the
         past. Some states still consider it to be hazardous,
         however. Contact your state environmental agency
         for further information.
MYTH 4: Recycled coolant will void manufacturers'
         warranties.
FACT:    Coolant recyclers have worked with automotive and
         truck engine original equipment manufacturers
         (OEMs) to get their approval on coolant recycling
         processes. Check with your recycler for a list of OEM
         approvals.
 CASE STUDY: General Motors (GM) endorses several
 coolant recycling systems and states that "The warranty of
 General Motors will be unaffected if engine coolant
 recycling is performed as described by the manufacturer
 : and with GM-approved recycling equipment." Ford
 i expressly authorizes the  use of certain engine coolant
 recycling processes and chemicals that meet its
 i specifications. Chrysler allows any coolant to be used	
 (virgin or recycled) as long as it meets Chrysler's and
 I ASTM's specifications for ethylene glycol. For more
 I information, call Richard Paul at the American Automobile
 ! Manufacturer's Association at 313 872-4311.
   _    „-
f* Coolant Recycling
^^Ci^-ffls'p'firfWf "ff f vr y- f -jnr" TT* f "»»"»" - r-*nj m* 1
m Processes
          he RMAN recommends that
          procuring agencies establish
    _____  a program for engine coolant
  reTclamation and reuse either*on site
     through a service contract.
        are three general types of
          recycling processes:
jpjfiltration, distillation, and ion
^exchange. Since variations exist
|~. among the various processes, check
fSwTth the system manufacturer"for
^^pecifics regarding coolant produced
  Jjylhe system'
^ JRItratipn is the most common
rf" of Vecyclfng'processr lt"Fias the
  lowest initial investment but has high
^operating costs. Coolants often
£ "contain dissolved "solids-anip filtration"
^systems often require pre- and p'os't-
: filter treatment as well.
" Distillation evaporates and
  recondenses the coolant. This is a
£ slow process that has high initial
  r investment but requires less
^.operator involvement and lower
^operating costs. SolidsTahd""other""""
^chemicals are left behind as a
^residue that must be managed
l^gCctJFb'ing to applicable laws.
JI ion exchange removes solids and
Bother chemicals ^from the coolant as
p°1t passes through a resin bed.
I- 'Periodically this bed must be
f" regenerated to remove the buildup.
f? Equipment costs are higher than
  most other systems. Operating costs
*f are comparable to filtration systems.

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How Can I Get More  Information?
           Information Available from EPA
           The following publications on buying recycled and
           the CPG are available through the RCRA Hotline. To
           order, call 800 424-9346 (or TDD 800 553-7672 for
           the hearing impaired). In Washington, DC, the
number is 703 412-9810 or TDD 703 412-3323. The RCRA
Hotline is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.
*  Federal Register notices establishing the CPG (60 FR
    21370/EPA530-Z-95-006) and the RMAN (60 FR
    21386/EPA530-Z-95-007), May 1, 1995.
*  EPA Issues Comprehensive Procurement Guideline
    (EPA530-F-95-01 0). This four-page fact sheet provides
    general information about the CPG and the development of
    affirmative procurement programs.
<•  Environmental Fact Sheet— Purchasing and Maintaining
    Retread Passenger Tires (EPA530-F-95-019), September
    1995. This EPA and General Services Administration fact
    sheet provides information on waste prevention, proper tire
    maintenance, and tire retreading for fleet managers and
    vehicle operators.
<»  List of Manufacturers and Suppliers of Vehicular
    Products Containing Recovered Materials (EPA530-B-96-
    001). This list has been prepared to facilitate the
    implementation of the CPG and to assist customers
    interested in purchasing vehicular products containing
    recovered materials.
  -5,-,
- These documents also are available on EPA's Public Access
*• Server on the Internet (gopher.epa.gov). For the text of
^"Federal Register notices, choose: Rules, Regulations, and
^Legislation; Waste Programs; EPA Waste Information-
f'GPO; and Year/Month/Date. This fact sheet, the technical
-< .support documents, and the product availability lists are
^-available under EPA Offices and Regions; Office of Solid
^ Waste and Emergency Response; Office of Solid Waste;
^JNonhazardous Waste; and Procurement.
           Other Sources of Information—
           General
   Environmental Products Guide. This guide, published by
   the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), is a handy
   reference companion to the GSA Supply Catalog and Federal
   Supply Schedules. It provides information on the acquisition
   of engine coolant reclamation systems. The guide is also
   available on GSA's Multi-User File for Interagency News
   (MUFFIN), an electronic bulletin board. For copies of the
   guide or MUFFIN manual, contact GSA, Centralized Mailing
   List Service (7CAFL), 4900 Hemphill Street, P.O. Box 6477,
   Ft. Worth, TX 76115 or call 817 334-5215. For computer
   support help with MUFFIN, call 703 305-7200.
*  DLA Environmental Products Catalogue. This document is
    an important source of supply for environmental products
    from the Defense Logistics Agency. It includes items from all
    DLA Inventory Control Points containing recycled material or
    having other environmental benefits. For more information,
    call 800 352-2852 or fax 800 352-3291. Military customers
    can call DSN 695-5699 or fax DSN 695-5695. For information
    on the CDROM version of the catalogue, contact the DLA
    Service Center at 616 961-4459 or DSN 932-4459.
*  The Official Recycled Products Guide. This document is a
    comprehensive directory of recycled-content products and
    contains more than 5,000 listings of manufacturers and
    distributors. For more information, contact the Recycling Data
    Management Corp., P.O. Box 577, Ogdensburg, NY 13669.
    Phone: 800 267-0707.
<»  Office of the Federal Environmental Executive (OFEE).
    The OFEE offers a number of resources to help government
    agencies  learn about CPG  designated products. Contact:
    Office of the Federal Environmental Executive, 401  M Street,
    SW. (MC  1600), Washington, DC 20460 or call 202  260-1297
    or fax 202 401-9503. Email: mcpoland.fran@epamail.epa.gov.
    * Closing the Circle News. This newsletter reports on the
      government's progress  towards an environmentally-
      conscious and friendly approach to recycling, acquisitions,
      and procurement. The Fall 1995 issue contains an article
      entitled "OFEE Helps Negotiate an End to Gridlock on
      Re-Refined Oil."
    * Roadmap to Buying Recycled Vehicular Products.
      This video was produced by the Office of the Federal
      Environmental Executive and the U.S. Postal Service. It
      highlights availability, performance, and warranty issues of
      re-refined oil, retread tires, and reclaimed engine coolant.
      It features a message from the Federal Environmental
      Executive and insight from experiences of fleet
      management personnel from five federal agencies. It is
      available free of charge.
    * Greening of the Government: A Guide to
      Implementing EO 12873. This document provides
      detailed information on establishing and implementing
      affirmative procurement plans and is available free of
      charge.  It contains information on oil and tires, including
      automobile manufacturers warranty-related statements on
      re-refined oil.
Other Sources — Re-Refined Oil
*  The Defense Logistics Agency General Supply Center,
   Richmond Products Catalog supplies rerefined oil. Phone:
   800 345-6333 or DSN 695-4908.
*  Copies of GSA's guidance on the use of re-refined oil in
   Interagency Fleet Management Systems Vehicles can be
   obtained from Larry Frisbee, Fleet Management Division,
   GSA, Washington,  DC 20406 Phone: 703 305-6837.
   Fax:703305-7158.
*  Contact the Buy Recycled Campaign for automobile
   manufacturers' warranty statements on the use of re-refined
   oil. Call the U.S. Conference of Mayors, 1620 Eye Street,

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                          How Can  I Get More  Information?
   Washington, DC 20006. Phone: 202 293-7330. Fax: 202 429-
   0422. Warranty statements are also available from the Office
   of the Federal Environmental Executive at 401 M Street, SW.
   (MC 1600), Washington, DC 20460 or call 202 260-1297 or
   fax 202 401-9503. Email: mcpoland.fran@epamail.epa.gov.
*  Buy Recycled Campaign/Training Institute Fact Sheet on
   Re-Refined Oil. This document is available without charge to
   local governments from the U.S. Conference of Mayors, 1620
   Eye Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006. Phone: 202 293-
   7330. Fax: 202 429-0422. It is also available to the private
   sector from the National Recycling Coalition at 1727 King
   Street, Suite 105, Alexandria, VA 22314.
   Phone:703683-9025.  Fax:703638-9026.
*  For a limited time, three cases of re-refined oil are available
   free to federal entities and local governments of over 30,000
   people by contacting the U.S. Conference of Mayors, 1620
   Eye Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006. Phone: 202 293-
   7330. Fax: 202 429-0422. Private sector companies with a
   minimum of 50 service fleet vehicles can contact the National
   Recycling Coalition for three free cases at 1727 King Street,
   Suite 105, Alexandria, VA 22314. Phone: 703 683-9025.  Fax:
   703 638-9026.
<•  The Office of the Federal Environmental Executive  has a list
   of 940 WAL-MART locations that offer re-refined oil with their
   Tire and Lube Express" services. This is available in hard
   copy and on disk. (Most WAL-MARTs offer re-refined oil off
   the shelf.) Contact Office of the Federal Environmental
   Executive at 401 M Street, SW. (MC 1600), Washington,  DC
   20460 or call 202 260-1297 or fax 202 401-9503.
   Email: mcpoland.fran@epamail.epa.gov.

Other Sources—Retread Tires
<*  For additional information about the Federal Tire Program,
   including copies of the Qualified Products  List, GSA
   specifications, and GSA-approved retreading facilities, contact
   GSA-FSS-FCAE, Attention: K.L. Collings, Jr., Manager,
   Federal Tire  Program, CM4, Room 604, Washington, DC
   20406. Phone: 703 308-4673. Fax: 703 305-3034. Email:
   kenneth.collings@gsa.gov.
*  Tire Tips and Facts. This document, published by GSA's
   Federal Tire  Program, provides tire purchasers and users with
   information on new products, tire maintenance, retreading,
   and industry trends. To be added to the mailing list, contact
   GSA-FSS-FCAE, Attention: K.L. Collings, Jr., Manager,
   Federal Tire Program, CM4, Room 604, Washington, DC
   20406. Phone: 703 308-4673. Fax: 703 305-3034.
   Email: kenneth.collings@gsa.gov.
*  For additional information about tire retreading and tire
   repairing, including a video, The Use of Retreaded Tires on
   Government Vehicles, contact the Tire Retread Information
   Bureau, 900 Weldon Grove, Pacific Grove, CA 93950. The
   Bureau will rebate 10 percent from the lowest price federal
   fleet managers are able to  negotiate for their initial retread tire
   purchase. The offer  is good for fleet tires sent for retreading or
   for "cap and casing" retreads  that are purchased through
   July 1996. Phone: 408 372-1917. Fax: 408 372-9210.
<•  Buy Recycled Campaign/Training Institute Fact Sheet on
   Retread Tires. This document is available without charge to
   local governments from'tri'e U.S. Conference of Mayors, 1620
   Eye Street, NW,  Washington, DC 20006.  Phone: 202 293-
   7330.  Fax: 202 429-0422.  It is also available to the private
   sector from the National  Recycling Coalition at 1727 King
   Street, Suite 105, Alexandria, VA 22314.
   Phone: 703 683-9025. Fax: 703 638-9026.
*  International Tire and Rubber Association, Marvin Bozarth,
   Executive Director, P.O. Box 37203, Louisville, KY 40233-
   7203.  Phone: 800 426-8835.  Fax: 502 964-7859.
*  National Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association, John F.
   Buettner, Sr., Director, Tire Retreading Institute, 1250 I Street,
   NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20005-3922.
   Phone 800 876-8372. Fax: 202 682-3999.


Other Sources—Recovered Engine Coolants
«$>  The Society of Automotive  Engineers' paper #921634
   offers  information about recovered engine coolants. Entitled
   "An Evaluation of Engine Coolant Recycling Technologies,"
   the paper is available by calling 412 776-4841.
*  For information on USPS' testing and approval of recycled
   engine coolant, call  Vincent Tung, Mechanical Program
   Engineer, USPS, 8403 Lee Highway, Merrifield, VA 22082-
   8101.  Phone: 703 280-7052.  Fax: 703 280-4541.
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW. (5306W)
Washington, DC 20460

Official Business
Penalty for Private Use
$300

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