The Virginia Waste Minimization Program
Vol. 1 Issue
A Success Story from the Virginia Waste Minimization Program on waste minimization in an auto salvage yard.
An automobile salvage yard was able to lower waste disposal costs, protect the environment and enhance employee safety by implementing several waste minimization techniques, including waste stream segregation, housekeeping improvements, and recycling.
John's Auto Parts in Blaine, Minnesota is a salvage yard that purchases used autos to recover potentially usable parts. They have added a shop as well that deals in new parts. Acid-containing batteries and mineral spirits used for cleaning parts constitute the hazardous waste generated by the dismantling and recycling process. Non-hazardous wastes include used oil and antifreeze drained from the salvaged autos.
John's Auto Parts implemented several methods of waste reduction, summarized as follows:
Previously mixed oil and mineral spirits waste streams were separated. This waste segregation reduces the overall amount of hazardous waste because oil uncontaminated with mineral spirits is not hazardous. The two waste streams may be dealt with appropriately.
Computer-tracked inventory records allow the shop to avoid overstocking used parts, thus removing unnecessary sources of wastes.
A diked storage area having an impermeable surface for battery storage features curbs to prevent battery acid from leaking into areas containing floor drains. The batteries are then removed by a contractor.
The company has contracted with Safety Kleen to remove used mineral spirits for off-site distillation. The reclaimed mineral spirits may then be reused.
John's Auto Paris sells used anti-freeze (drained from the salvaged autos) to the public for $1 a gallon.
The company is able to reduce disposal costs by selling anti-freeze. maintaining appropriate inventory levels, and reducing the volume of hazardous waste in separating the oil and mineral spirits waste streams. Environmental damage is prevented by proper storage of batteries and removal of mineral spirits: these measures enhance employee safety as well.
The information for this tip was documented by a MnTAP (Minnesota Technical Assistance Program) staff member who had consulted with the company. The waste reduction practices described were already in effect before MnTAPs involvement.
(This article is reprinted with permission from the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program.)
This Waste Reduction Success Story is provided as a service of the Virginia Waste Minimization Program, a technical assistance program of the Virginia Department of Waste Management.
For more information on opportunities to reduce waste contact:
Virginia Waste Minimization Program
11th Floor Monroe Building, 101 North 14th Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804-371-8716 or 1-800-552-2075
TDD 804-371-8737
Last Updated: October 23, 1995