Fact Sheet On The Hazardous Waste Generated By Automotive Repair Shops

State of California- Health and Welfare
California Department of Health Services
Toxic Substances Control Division
Alternative Technology Section
714/744 P Street
P.O. Box 942732
Sacramento. CA 94234-7320

March 1989

Waste Background

Reduction Most auto repair shops generate hazardous waste, either from the services they provide, such as fluid replacement, or from other for Automotive operations they perform, such as parts washing. Some common waste types include:

Repair Shops

• Waste oil, lubricants and transmission fluids
  
• Dirty caustic parts washing detergent solution
  
• Darts cleaning tank sludge
  
• Oily waste sump sludge
  
• Used antifreeze
  
• Old auto batteries
  
• Any material that has been mixed with a hazardous waste.

This fact sheet is intended to help auto repair shop owners or operators decide whether waste reduction is a possibility. For more information on waste reduction in auto repair shops, contact the Alternative Technology Section (the telephone number is listed on the back page).

This Fact Sheet was produced by the Technology Clearinghouse Unit to assist generators throughout the State of California.

Waste Reduction

Both state and federal regulations require that generators of hazardous waste include a description of the efforts undertaken, and achievements accomplished, to reduce the volume and toxicity of waste generated during the reporting period. California state law also permits the Department of Health Services (DHS) to request a statement of reasons describing why a company does not recycle their waste.

The Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest requires that large generators certify that they "have a program in place to reduce the volume and toxicity of waste generated ... determined to be economically practicable" and that they have selected the "practicable method of treatment, storage, or disposal currently available ... which minimizes the present and future threat to human health and the environment". Small quantity generators must certify that they have made a "good faith effort to minimize... waste generation" and have selected the best affordable waste management method available.

Since waste reduction methods reduce the amount of waste generated, and also the amount subject to regulation, these practices can help a shop comply with the requirements and save money. The following is a list of some common waste reduction methods for automotive repair wastes:

• Shop's owner or manager must be committed to waste reduction and pass that commitment on to the employees.
  
• Establish training programs for employees in waste reduction, hazardous material handling and emergency response.
  
• Establish incentive programs to encourage employees to design and use new waste reduction ideas.

Assessment Hazardous Waste

Waste assessments are used to list the sources, types and amounts of hazardous waste generated to make it easier to pinpoint where wastes can be reduced. DHS' Hazardous Waste Reduction Checklist for Automotive Repair Shops can be used to assess hazardous wastes and waste generation and management practices.

Improve Procedures and Segregate Wastes

• Good housekeeping is the easiest and often the cheapest way to reduce waste.
  
• Designate weather protected raw material and hazardous waste storage areas with spill containment. Keep the areas clean and organized and give one person the responsibility for maintaining the areas.
  
• Label containers and cover them to prevent contact with rainfall and avoid spills.
  
• Use a "first in, first out" policy for raw materials to keep them from becoming too old to be used. Give one person responsibility for maintaining and distributing raw materials.
  
• Segregate waste streams for recycling and treatment, and keep non-hazardous material from becoming contaminated.
  
• Prevent and contain spills and leaks.

Substitute Materials

• Substitute detergent-based solution for caustic solution when cleaning.
  
• Substitute water-based cleaners for solvent cleaners.

Modify Processes

• Pre-rinse pans before using the hot tank or jet spray washer.
  
• Remove parts slowly after immersion in solvent solution to prevent spillage.
  
• Install drip trays or racks near solvent sinks, hot tanks and jet spray washers to drain cleaned parts. Collect drainage and return it to the parts washing equipment.
  
• Use drip pans to catch drips when changing fluids or working on damaged vehicles.
  
• Don't leave the solvent stream running and cover or plug solvent sinks when not in use to prevent evaporation.
  
• Replace hot tanks or jet sprays with high temperature ovens used with dry abrasive "shot blast" cleaners.
  
• Place parts cleaning equipment in a convenient location, near the service bays to reduce drips and spills.

Recycle and Treat Wastes

• Lease or purchase solvent sinks, and purchase solvent recovery equipment if cost-effective.
  
• Lease or purchase hot tanks or jet spray washers, and purchase aqueous treatment equipment if cost-effective.
  
• Contract with an oil recycler for waste oil collection and recycling.
  
• Arrange for spent battery collection and recycling or take spent batteries to a storage or recycling facility (contact the DHS regional office nearest you to determine if you meet the requirements for hauling spent batteries).
  
• Arrange for spent antifreeze solution collection and recycling or treatment under some conditions, variances are issued for disposal of spent antifreeze to the sewer system. Contact your local sanitary district or county environmental health agency to determine if this is allowed in your community.
  
• Use a laundry service to clean dirty rags used to clean small spills.
  
• Contain and collect asbestos dust from brake jobs for disposal.

Additional Publications

Some additional publications that may be helpful are available from DHS-Alternative Technology Section:

• Waste Audit Study for Automotive Repair Shops, DHS, 1987 (a study of hazardous waste reduction options for auto repair shops).
  
• Fact Sheet-Asbestos Handling and Disposal, DHS, 1989
  
• Hazardous Waste Reduction Checklist for Automotive Repair Shops, DHS, 1989
  
• Hazardous Waste Reduction Assessment Handbook for Automotive Repair Shops, DHS, 1989
  
• Fourth Biennial Report: Economic Implications of Waste Reduction, Recycling, Treatment and Disposal of Hazardous Waste, DHS, 1988

Department of Health Services Toxics Substances Control Division
Alternative Technology Section 714/744
P Street
P.O. Box 942732
Sacramento, CA 94234-7320
(916) 324-1807

For information about your regulatory requirements, contact the DHS regional office nearest you:

Region I	Northern California	(916) 739-3145
Region 2	North Coast California	(415) 540-2043
Region 3	Southern California	(213) 620-2380
Region 4	Long Beach	(213) 590-5950

To get an EPA-CA ID number, call:

DHS, Toxics Division
Program Monitoring and Personnel Section
(916) 324-1781

In addition, auto repair shop owners and operators may be able to obtain information from:

• Registered hazardous waste haulers
  
• Trade associations
  
• Recycling/treatment equipment vendors
  
• Informational workshops.