United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
EPA 305-K-96-002
 September 1996
Enforcement & Compliance Assurance (2223A)
Fuel  for           ~~
Thought^.

How to  Reduce
Wastes  at Your
Shop
                          \
Vehicle maintenance involves Handling and managing a
wide variety of materials and wastes. Some of these
wastes can be toxic to fish, wildlife, and humans when
improperly managed. No matter the amount of waste
produced, it is to the shop's legal and financial
advantage to manage the wastes properly and, even
more importantly, to prevent pollution.

This.brochure identifies some waste reduction and
pollution prevention (P2) options that may be followed
to ensure that wastes do not end up in the wrong place
where they can cause harm. In addition, a list of
important contacts and useful waste reduction and P2
tips Is provided.

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   HANDLING SHOP WASTES

   Oil

   i&faXsa^s ^cycle used oil. Set up equipment, such as a drip
     iLssB^r    table or screen table with a used oil collection bucket,
   to collect Oils dripping off parts. Place drip pans underneath vehicles
   that are leaking fluids onto the storage area.

                 Do not mix other wastes with used oil, except as
                 allowed by your recycler.

                 Used oil generated by a shop (and/or oil received from
                household "do-it-yourself generators) may be burned
  on site in a commercial space heater. Also, used oil (on and off-
  specification, and hazardous waste fuel) may be burned for energy
  recovery. Contact State and local authorities to determine
  requirements and to obtain necessary permits.

  Oil Filters

             Drain (for at least 24 hours), crush, and recycle used oil
             filters whenever possible.
 Batteries
               Recycle batteries by sending them to a reclaimer.or
               back to the distributor. Keeping shipping receipts can
               demonstrate that you have recycled. Store batteries in
               a water-tight, acid-resistant container. Inspect
batteries for cracks and leaks when they come in. Treat a dropped
battery as if it were cracked. Acid residue is hazardous because it is
corrosive and may contain lead and other toxics. Neutralize spilled acid
(e.g., by using baking soda or lime) and dispose of as hazardous waste.

Metal  Residue from  Machining
           Collect metal filings when machining metal parts.  Keep
           separate and recycle if possible. Prevent metal filings
           from falling into a storm drain.

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   REFRIGERANTS

               Recover and/or recycle refrigerants during the service and
               disposal of motor vehicle air conditioners and
               refrigeration equipment. It is not allowable to knowingly
   vent refrigerants to the atmosphere. Recovery and/or recycling during
   servicing must hep-formed by an EPA-certified technician using
   certified equipment and following specified procedures.
  SOLVENTS
              Replace hazardous chemicals with less toxic alternatives
              that have equal performance. For example, substitute
              water-based cleaning solvents for petroleum-based
              solvent degreasers.
             To reduce the amount of solvent used when cleaning
             parts, use a two stage process; dirty solvent followed by
             fresh solvent.
            Hire a|hazardous waste management service to clean and
            recycle solvents. (Some spent solvents matte disposed
            of as hazardous waste, unless recycled properly.)
psasBBEBa  ^ore ?°'vents in closed containers to prevent evaporation.
JSolTCntsI  EvaP°ration of solvents contribute to ozone depletion and
|^§Bal  mog formation.  In addition, the residue from
            evaporation must be treated as a hazardous waste.
           Properly, label spent solvents and store on drip pads or in
           diked areas and only with compatible materials.

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VEHICLE WASHWATER
                Wash .vehicles in an area where the washwater can
                be collected, treated, and recycled. Eventually, the
                recycled wastewater will need to either be removed
and disposed of by a licensed hauler or discharged to sewers or surface
waters. State and local authorities need to be contacted prior to any
discharge to obtain the necessary permits and to determine if treatment
is necessary prior to discharge or disposal.
FUELING OPERATIONS
             Prevent fuel overflows during tank filling by regularly
             monitoring transfers.
             Prevent spills resulting from "topping off tanks by
             training employees on proper fueling techniques.
             Prevent contamination of runoff by not cleaning the
             fueling area with running water. Consider using
             absorbent pads or a mop to clean fueling area.
             To avoid liabilities associated with using high sulfur
             content diesel fuel (dyed fuels), use only undyed diesel
             fuel, suitable for highway vehicles.  Air pollution is
reduced by using undyed fuels because they contain less sulfur. Use the
following precautions when purchasing fuels: know your supplier,
observe pump labels, visually inspect the fuel, look for evidence of
tampering'and keep receipts.
UNDERGROUND  STORAGE
TANKS  (UST)

                          If your shop maintains an underground
                          storage tank (UST) for used oil, motor
                          oil, or fuel (gasoline* diesel, kerosene)
                          you are probably subject to UST
regulations. Leaking USTs can contaminate ground water. For the
requirements that apply to your UST, call your State or local agency.

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  RAINWATER OR SNOWMELT
  RUN OFF

             Surround vehicle storage areas, with a dike to prevent
             leaking fluids from being carried by rainwater or
             snowmelt runoff. Diked run off can be directed to an
  oil/water separator and discharged to a wastewater treatment plant or
  surface waters, with proper permits.  Check with local and state
  authorities to determine permit requirements.
 RESPONDING TO SPILLS
             Construct dikes around material storage areas to contain
             spills.
             Contain and control leaks and spills as quickly as
             possible. Clean leaks and spills immediately using dry
            i methods, such as absorbent wipes. Portable absorbent
 booms should be readily available for a quick response. Use dry
 absorbent materials such as  kitty litter or organic-based absorbents to
 absorb oil and grease. Dispose of used absorbent properly, in
 accordance with Federal and State regulations.
            .Keep a log book of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) in
            a central location that is easily accessible. All employees
            should understand the properties and the adverse effects
of the materials they use and be aware of this reference for use during
an emergency.
            An emergency response plan and spill kit should be
            accessible at all times.

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  HANDLING WASTEWATER

         Shop wastewater (water contaminated by antifreeze, oil, etc.)
         can either be directed to a wastewater treatment plant, surface
         waters, or to a holding tank for removal by a waste hauler.

  If wastewater is discharged to a municipal wastewater treatment plant,
 . treatment may be required and  it may be necessary to obtain a permit
  from the municipality.  If wastewater is discharged to surface waters,
  (ponds, rivers, lakes, etc.) via pipe or storm sewer a discharge permit
  must be obtained. Check with local and State authorities to
  determine requirements and the appropriate permitting authority. If a
  wastewater treatment plant is not available or will not accept your
  wastewater, or if you do not have,an discharge permit, route your
  wastewater to a tank or container for proper  collection and disposal by
  a licensed waste hauler.

         Water used for cleaning often contains solvents, degreasers, and
         cleaning solutions, as well as contaminants from the cleaned
         areas. This process wastewater cannot be easily disposed of and
  may require treatment. Eliminating water from cleaning processes may
  enable a shop to reduce its wastewater volume. Keep wastewater from
  service bay clean-up out of storm drains.

         If you have a septic system, do not discharge shop wastewater
         to the system. This wastewater interferes with the ability of the
         septic system to break down sanitary wastes.  Use an oil/water
  separator to, trap sediments and skim oils and contain your shop
  wastewater for removal by a licensed waste hauler.

         Floor drains should be connected to an oil/water separator to
         treat wastewater prior to discharge to sewers, surface waters, or
         containment. It is preferable to  equip the separator with an
  emergency shut-off to prevent spills from entering the sewer, or
* discharging directly to surface waters. It is important to inspect the
j separator periodically and arrange for waste removal by a licensed
• waste hauler when required.

         Do not discharge toxic or hazardous wastes to drain fields, dry
         wells, cesspools, pits, separate storm drains, sewers, surface
         waters, or septic tanks. Otherwise you may be in violation of
  Federal, State or local requirements and subject to monetary penalties.

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 WASTE REDUCTION  &L P2 TIPS
   yr
 
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lilt
a law
 CENTERS & CLEARINGHOUSES

 National Automotive Repair Compliance Assistance
 Center-Coordinating Committee for Automotive Kepair-
 CCAWreenLink, 888-GRN-LINK (888-476-5465),
 (ccarinfo@unicom.net), and
 (http://www.ccar-greenlink.org)

 Pollution Prevention Clearinghouse (202-260-1023);

 Recycling Hotline (800-947-3873);

 Small Business Ombudsman (800-368-5888)

 Solid & Hazardous Waste (RCRA), Superfund (CERCLA)
 (800-424-9346);

 Solid Waste Information Clearinghouse (800-677-9424);

 Storm Water: Office of Water Resource Center
 (202-260-7786);

 Waste Water/Small Flows Clearinghouse
 (800-624-8301);


 EMERGENCY RESPONSE
 & ASSISTANCE.

 ^M/Moperated by Chemical Manufacturers Association
on Health and Safety (Emergency: 800-424-9300 and
Non-Emergency: 800-262-8200);

Environmental Health Effects: (National Institute of Health)
Information on chemicals in ground and surface water,
hazardous wastes (800-643-4794).

National Response Center - U.S. Coast Guard Oil & Hazardous
Material Spills (800-424-8802);

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HANDLING HAZARDOUS WASTt

Waste Storage

              Always keep hazardous waste separate, properly label
              and sealed  in the recommended containers.  The stora
              area should be covered and may need to be fenced anc
              locked if vandalism could be a problem. Select a
              licensed hazardous waste hauler after seeking
recommendations and reviewing the firm's permits and authorization

 Asbestos
 CONTAINS
 ASBESTOS
   FIBERS
            Generally, EPA does not regulate the removal of asbesl
            brakes unless debonding or grinding of asbestos brake
            pads constitutes over 50% of the shop's work. At sue!
            facilities, the asbestos materials are regulated as a
            hazardous waste and handled accordingly and stored
an enclosed container, and sent to a hazardous waste hauler.

              However, even when asbestos wastes are not regulatet
              as hazardous wastes, EPA recommends that shops
              capture asbestos from brake shoes in a separate
              container.  Use a low pressure/wet cleaning method,
              OSHA-preferred method of compliance.  DONOTBLO
 BRAKE DUST and never use an air hose for cleaning!
CONTAINS
ASBESTOS
 FIBERS
 U.S; EPA Office of Compliance has additional environmental
 information available through Enviro$en$e (http://es.inel.go
 DISCLAIMER:

 This document is designed to increase one's general environmental knowledge ano
 awareness. The contents are not intended to create rights and cannot be relied q
 to replace Federal and State regulations. State and local requirements maydiffei
 from this document.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reserves the right
 change the contents of this document without public notice.

 This document has been prepared by the Manufacturing, Energy, and Transportat
 Division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. July 1996.

         •frU.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1996-0-712-821

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