“Used oil means any oil that has been
refined from crude oil, or any synthetic oil, that has been used, and, as a
result of use or as a consequence of extended storage, or spillage, has been
contaminated with physical or chemical impurities”. HSC 25250.1. Used
oil is the largest volume hazardous waste generated in California.
Improper management of petroleum products can result in major
environmental damage. Oil is a
mixture of hydrocarbon fractions, C2 to C14 aliphatic chains and a small amount
of aromatic compounds.
Used oil includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Used motor oils:
Vehicle crankcase oils
Engine lubricating oils
Transmission fluids
Gearbox and differential oils
Used industrial oils:
Hydraulic oils
Compressor oils
Turbine oils
Bearing oils
Gear oils
Transformer (electrical) oils
Refrigeration oils
Metalworking oils
Railroad oils
Used oil does NOT include:
Antifreeze
Brake fluid
Other automotive wastes
Fuels (gasoline, diesel, kerosene, etc.)
Grease
Solvents
Substances which are not oils
Oils with a flashpoint below 100°F
Oils containing more than 1,000 parts per million (ppm) total halogens unless the rebuttable presumption is rebutted – See Appendix G
Oils mixed with hazardous waste
Wastewater containing small amounts of used oil
Oils containing 5 ppm polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or
greater
Oily wastes that are not used oil
Oily wastewaters that are not used oil
Tank bottoms
Used oil processing bottoms
Used oil re-refining distillation bottoms
Cooking oils (edible)
Edible oils that are used for
industrial purposes and that do not exhibit a hazardous characteristic
The term "used
oil" includes:
·
Spent lubricating oil
that has been removed from equipment, or machines.
·
Engine oil: typically
crankcase oils from automobiles, trucks, etc.
·
Transmission fluid
·
Spent industrial oil
·
Contaminated fuel oil
Used oil contains many toxic and environmentally harmful substances,
e.g.: cadmium, chromium, lead, benzene, toluene, benzo (a) pyrenes, etc.
These arise through use as a lubricant and the inadvertent contamination
of the oil during vehicle servicing and bulk handling.
The benzene based aromatic components can cause cancer and other health problems if oil is inhaled or ingested.
Used oil must be managed as a hazardous waste in California unless it is
shown to meet one of the specifications for recycled oil in HSC 25250.1(b) or
qualifies for a recycling exclusion under HSC 25143.2. In most instances, this
means that the generator will contract with a registered hazardous waste transporter to have the used oil picked up within the
appropriate accumulation period. The accumulation period is 90 days for large
quantity generators or 180 days for generators of less than 2200 lbs. of
hazardous waste per month (270 days if the generator sends the oil to a
used oil facility that is more than 200 miles away) 66262.34. The transporter
must take the oil to an authorized used oil storage or treatment facility. Among
the facilities are used oil recycling operations where the used oil is processed
into recycled oil or re-refined into high-class lubricant.
Mixing of hazardous waste, including household hazardous waste, with used
oil is prohibited. Federal
regulations mandate that used oil must be tested, to determine if the used oil
is hazardous before it is disposed. If
testing or other procedures determine that the oil is hazardous, it must be
disposed of as a hazardous waste under Subtitle C of RCRA.
In California used oil is regulated as a hazardous waste:
"Used oil shall be managed as a hazardous waste in accordance with
the requirements of this chapter until it is excluded from regulation as a
hazardous waste pursuant to Section 25143.2"(from Calif.
H&SC §25250.4).
Calif.
H&SC §25250.1 (a) and
Title 14 CCR Natural Resources Div. 7(IWMA
Chapter 8) Make the following definitions:
1.
"Used oil" means
any oil that has been refined from crude oil, or any synthetic oil, that has
been used, and, as a result of use or as a consequence of extended storage, or
spillage, has been contaminated with physical or chemical impurities.
Examples of used oil are spent lubricating fluids which have been removed
from an engine crankcase, transmission, gearbox, or differential of an
automobile, bus, truck, vessel, plane, heavy equipment, or machinery powered by
an internal combustion engine; industrial oils, including compressor, turbine,
and bearing oil; hydraulic oil; metal-working oil; refrigeration oil; etc.
2.
"Recycled oil" means any oil, produced from used oil, which has
been prepared for reuse and which achieves minimum standards of purity, in
liquid form, as established by the CIWMB.
Calif. H&SC §25250.5:
a.
The disposal of used oil by discharge to sewers, drainage systems,
surface water or groundwater, watercourses, or marine waters; by incineration or
burning as fuel; or by deposit on land, is prohibited, unless authorized
under other provisions of law.
b.
The use of used oil or recycled oil as a dust suppressant or insect or
weed control agent is prohibited unless allowed under another applicable law,
but only to the extent that use as a dust suppressant or insect or weed control
agent is consistent with the federal act.
Used oil removed from motor vehicles and recycled is excluded from
generator fees. Used oils that do
not qualify for the exclusion usually will be subject to generator fees.
Persons or businesses generating used oil are required to meet all used
oil generator requirements. Used oil collection centers must meet the same
requirements. 66279.20 66269.21 Householders who change their own oil
(do-it-yourselfers) are exempted from regulation as used oil generators. They
must, however, manage their used oil appropriately (e.g., by taking it to a used
oil collection center, etc., and never disposing of it to land, water, storm
drains, etc.) Householders are allowed to transport their own used oil to a used
oil collection center or to a used oil recycling facility if specified
conditions are met. These conditions are described in this fact sheet under the
section "Transportation of
Used Oil” and in HSC 25250.11. Some communities have
a curbside used oil pickup program. Check
with your local solid waste or environmental health agency to see if it offered
in your area.
An EPA Identification Number issued by DTSC is required for
each site where used oil is stored. A generator who stores used oil at two
places in the same site needs only one EPA Identification Number. There is one
exception to this requirement. Generators of 100 kilograms or less of hazardous
waste per month (including used oil) who ship used oil under a modified manifest
(HSC 25250.8) are not required to obtain an EPA Identification Number. 66262.12
See the Duty Officer Fact sheet “EPA Identification Numbers”.
Used oil must be stored in tanks or containers in good condition. Tanks
and containers must be made of non-earthen, non-absorbing, rust-resistant
material such as steel or oil-resistant plastic, and have adequate structural
support to contain the used oil. Good condition means no severe rusting, no
apparent structural defects or deterioration, and no leaking. All containers
must have tight-fitting lids that are kept closed except when used oil is being
added or removed. Regular inspections and routine maintenance of all storage
tanks and containers are required. Faulty tanks and containers must be repaired
or replaced. Definitions of container and tank are given in 66260.10; general
information may be found in 66262.34(a)(1).
Secondary containment is required for storage tanks. This is a backup
containment system designed to prevent the release and migration of wastes or
accumulated liquids out of a storage tank or a storage tank system. Examples of
secondary containment systems include an impervious bermed area or liner, a
vault, or a double-walled tank. 66262.34(a)(1)
Above-ground storage tanks and containers accumulating used oil, and fill
pipes used to transfer used oil into underground storage tanks must be labeled
with the words “USED OIL-HAZARDOUS WASTE,” and the initial date of
accumulation. In addition, containers must be labeled with the name and address
of the generator 66262.34(f). For shipping, containers must also be labeled as
follows:
HAZARDOUS WASTE: State and Federal Law Prohibit Improper Disposal. If
found, contact the nearest police or public safety authority, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency or the California Department of Health Services.
Additional requirements for used oil generators are contained in the HSC
and 22 CCR provisions.
The encouragement of conservative oil changes should be implemented. Certainly lubricants should be changes when worn out but a good understanding by the customer and repair facility of the lubricant’s life could reduce unnecessary oil usage. Maintaining gaskets and seals to prevent leaks is also very important.
Finding uses for recycled oil will protect the environment and conserve a
natural resource. It is estimated
that over 100 million gallons of used oil is recycled each year in California.
Used oil can be collected, re-refined, and used over and over again.
Used oil can be recycled as:
·
Reconditioned oil can be
produced on-site by the removal of impurities from used oil and using it again.
While this form of recycling might not restore the oil to its original
condition, it does prolong its life.
·
Recycled oil is delivered
to a petroleum refinery and is introduced as a feedstock into the front end of
the refinery process.
·
Re-refined oil involves
treating used oil to remove impurities so that it can be used as a base stock
for new lubricating oil. Re-refining
prolongs the life of the oil resource indefinitely.
This form of recycling is the preferred option because it closes the
recycling loop by reusing the oil to make the same product that it was when it
started out.
·
Oil is processed, which
involves removing water and particulates, so that used oil can be burned as fuel
to generate heat or to power industrial operations.
This form of recycling is not as preferable (and not allowed in
California) as methods that reuse the material because it only enables the oil
to be reused once.
Mixing used oil with other hazardous waste is not allowed.
The contamination of used oil with other characteristic or listed waste
(such as chlorinated solvents) will cause the entire mixture to become
hazardous. Shop work practices must
insure that hazardous waste does not come in contact with used oil, intended for
recycling. Halogenated solvents are
the most common listed contaminates found mixed with used oil.
Label all containers and tanks as "Used Oil".
Keep containers and tanks in good condition.
Don't allow tanks to rust, leak, or deteriorate.
Store used oil in areas with oil-impervious flooring and secondary
containment. Used oil is usually
stored in above ground containers. Tanks
and/or containers of used oil should be placed in a weatherproof area, and
should be kept away from incompatible materials.
These containers must have some form of “secondary containment”.
This includes the containers being placed on concrete or asphalt pads
with berms to prevent the spread of a spill or inside another container such as
a metal trough or larger tank. It
should not be accessible to unauthorized personnel.
All used oils included in the definition of used oil may be stored
together (Check with your contracted recycler for direction).
In general, California law requires that a registered hazardous waste
transporter transport used oil. However, there are a few instances in which the
use of a registered hazardous waste transporter is not required. These are as
follows:
Householders and conditionally exempt small quantity generators are
allowed to transport up to 20 gallons of used oil per trip to an authorized used
oil collection center if the oil is carried in containers that hold 5 gallons or
less and specified conditions are met. Authorized used oil collection centers
include certified used oil collection centers (Public Resources Code Section
48622), recycle-only household hazardous waste collection facilities, or
collection facilities operating pursuant to HSC 25250.11. If specified
conditions are met, mobile maintenance operations (see below) may transport up
to 55 gallons of used oil in any one vehicle at any one time from an off-site
location to a consolidation point.
When a registered hazardous waste transporter transports used oil, either
a full hazardous waste manifest or a modified hazardous waste manifest must be
used. When a modified hazardous waste manifest is used, the driver is required
to provide the generator (at the time of used oil pickup) with a legible copy of
a receipt for each quantity of used oil received. The generator must maintain
these receipts for 3 years. Each receipt must contain the following information:
Additional requirements for used oil transporters are contained in the
statutes and regulations cited at the beginning of this fact sheet.
Maintenance businesses that generate used oil in the performance of
routine maintenance operations at off-site locations are subject to special
requirements. Such businesses include off-site heavy equipment operations (e.g.,
construction vehicle fleets) and mobile oil-changing businesses providing oil
changes for personal and business vehicles at the customer’s location HSC 25250.12. The following requirements apply:
It is unlawful to dispose of used oil on land, to sewers and other water
systems, or to burn used oil as a fuel or by incineration, including in space
heaters and similar devices. The use of used oil as a dust suppressant (road
oiling) or for insect or weed control is prohibited. HSC 25250.5
Generators of used oil who also operate used
oil collection centers, such as service stations, are advised to not mix the
used oil generated in their business with the used oil from the collection
center. The rebuttable presumption is not deemed rebutted if used oil from
householders or conditionally exempt small quantity generators has been mixed
with used oil from other sources
Modern motor oils are based upon oil refined from crude petroleum,
synthetic oil created from various compounds, or a mixture of the two. Various
compounds are added to the oil to extend its range of operating temperatures, to
keep solids in suspension, and to discourage the formation of varnish and other
deposits. Regardless of the oil base and additives, all motor oils eventually
become contaminated through use with substances that are a threat to the
environment. Used motor oil often contains traces of fuel and antifreeze, along
with the products of internal wear: chromium, copper, lead, zinc, and other
metals.
Motor oil is designed to reduce friction, seal piston rings, and cushion, cool and clean engine components. It containing additives and cleaning agents designed to aid in these processes and these are proprietary to the various oil manufacturers. When the oil has lost it’s effectiveness, due to being worn out or contaminated, it must be changed by draining it from the engine. It must be managed in such a way so as to not pollute the environment.
·
The heat of engine
operation can chemically alter additives and oil constituents.
·
Exhaust gases bypass worn
piston rings and enter into the engine’s lubricating oil.
·
Fluids, such as water and
antifreeze, can leak into the oil during engine operation.
·
Wear and reactions cause
heavy metal residues to dissolve in the engine oil.
·
Contaminants enter during
vehicle servicing and/or the transfer of oil between containers.
·
1 in 4 households have a
do-it-yourself (DIY) oil changer.
·
Each year about 40
million gallons of automotive oil is sold to the public.
·
There are 2,700 state
certified collection centers and 70 curbside collection programs, which accept
used oil for free.
·
About 82 million gallons
of used oils were recycled in 1998.
·
Over 20 million gallons
of used motor oil is disposed each year in an unknown manner in California by
do-it-yourself oil changers. This equates to nearly 1-gallon of DIY used oil
improperly disposed of for every adult. .
Used motor oil is especially a problem when it enters the environment. It tends to soak into the ground, where it slowly mixes with rainwater leaching through the ground. This contaminated water is difficult for a public treatment works to clean to the point that it is acceptable for human consumption. According to EPA studies, simply pouring one gallon of used oil on the ground can ultimately cause one million gallons of water to become undrinkable.
Motor oil can impart a toxicity to water it contaminates, prevent oxygen
from dissolving in the water and make the water unattractive and undrinkable.
The collection and storage of engine oil must not endanger the area’s
water supplies. Be sure that used
oil storage is not exposed to rain! Storm water run off containing oil needs to
be controlled so as not to contaminate water running into the storm water or
sewer systems.
·
2.7 billion gallons of
oil is sold annually in the U.S.
·
50% of oil is consumed
and 50% becomes used oil; 31% of the used oil, or about 420 million gallons, is
never recycled! Much of it goes into the environment.
·
Used motor oil can
contain toxic substances such as benzene, lead, zinc, and cadmium.
·
The oil from a single oil
change (1 gallon) can ruin the taste of a million gallons of drinking water (1
part per million), the supply of 50 people for one year.
·
One pint of oil can
produce a slick of approximately one-acre on the surface of water.
·
Films of oil on the
surface of water prevent the replenishment of dissolved oxygen, impair
photosynthetic processes, and block sunlight.
·
Crankcase oil accounts
for more than 40 percent of total oil pollution of the nation’s harbors and
waterways.
·
Oil dumped on land
reduces soil productivity.
·
Concentrations of 50 to
100 parts per million (ppm) of used oil can foul sewage treatment processes.
·
Countries all over the
world, including South Africa, Israel, Pakistan, India, Canada, Great Britain,
France, Italy, and New Zealand, re-refine a larger fraction of used oil into
lubricating oil base stocks than the U.S.
·
Of the over 1.3 billion
gallons of used oils generated each year in the U.S., less than 60 percent is
recycled
·
Used oil is recycled by
being burned for energy or re-refined. Burning oil results in air pollution that
includes sulfur and hydrocarbon emissions.
·
3 to 5% of the used oil
that is re-refined ends up as hazardous waste sludge.
Engine oil is generally very hot when removed from the engine. Prevention from burns should be stressed. Also, spills should be cleaned up immediately to prevent slipping.
Section 5650 and 12016 Calif. Fish
& Game Code: Prohibition and liability for discharge of substances
deleterious to aquatic habitat, into the state's water.
The encouragement of conservative oil changes should be implemented. Certainly lubricants should be changes when worn out but a good understanding by the customer and repair facility of the lubricant’s life could reduce unnecessary oil usage. Maintaining gaskets and seals to prevent leaks is also very important.
Why test your engine oil?
Fleet maintenance facilities generate a tremendous amount of used oil
from routine engine maintenance. Engine oil changes are typically performed
according to mileage or calendar schedules that are based on average data for a
wide variety of vehicles. As a result, engine oil changes are often performed
more frequently than necessary. If this is the case at your facility, you are
purchasing and throwing away more oil than you need to. This fact sheet
describes how a testing program can extend engine oil life and thus lower oil
consumption, reduce used oil generation, and decrease operating costs with no
risk to your vehicles.
Advantages of Oil Testing
·
Resource Conservation.
Oil is a nonrenewable resource; oil supplies are decreasing, which will drive
prices higher. By extending engine oil life through testing, you can help save
this nonrenewable resource!
·
Source Reduction.
Reducing oil change frequency through testing reduces used oil generation at the
source.
·
Cost Savings. Extending
oil life reduces oil purchase and disposal costs as well as labor spent on
changing oil.
·
Monitoring Maintenance
Practices. After a few tests, you can identify trends to verify that routine
maintenance is performed adequately.
·
Keeping Minor Repairs
Minor. Testing provides early warning of engine component problems before they
become serious, which will:
o
Reduce repair costs
o
Help you anticipate
vehicle down time
o
Minimize “hit and
miss” disassembly and inspection.
For more information on oil testing, see Appendix P.
What is a By-Pass Oil Filter
By-pass oil filter is an added system designed to be used in conjunction
with full flow oil filter. Some
by-pass oil filters can remove solid particles down as small as one micron.
Some by-pass oil filters can also remove liquid contaminants such as
fuel, water and antifreeze.
What Does a By-Pass Oil Filter Do?
Similar to a full flow oil filter, a by-pass filter uses a replacement or
reusable filter to filter contaminated oil but a by-pass filter has the
capability to remove finer abrasive particles and soot, along with liquids and
oxidation byproducts known as gum and/or varnish.
Only a small amount of oil from the main oil galley is directed through a
by-pass filter and returned to the oil sump. A by-pass filter has a metering
jet, orifice, or check-ball that prevents any drop in oil pressure and also
slows the oil flow down to a low, measured flow rate of three to eight gallons
per hour.
Why Use a By-Pass Oil Filter
Internal combustion engines require that the oil must maintain the proper
viscosity and total base number (TBN) in order to perform at peak efficiencies.
A by-pass filter can provide a constant cleaning process which can safely
extends oil change intervals, reduce need of new oil, reduce disposal costs of
waste oil, and help extend engine life and efficiency.
By keeping the oil constantly clean, maintaining the intended viscosity
and enabling the oil to provide maximum lubricating and cooling qualities, oil
drain intervals can be dramatically extended or possibly eliminated.
Why Sample Oil?
Sampling the oil before it enters any by-pass filter enable an accurate
assessment of the condition of the oil and the equipment.
It has been determined that the most effective preventative maintenance
schedule for engines and other equipment is to change the full flow and by-pass
filter elements and perform an oil analysis at the Original Equipment
Manufacturer’s specified oil change intervals. As long as oil analysis
confirms that it is suitable for continued use, the oil does not need to be
changed.
It is a known fact that lubricating oil does not wear out.
If kept clean, it will maintain its lubrication qualities intact almost
indefinitely.
With a by-pass filtration system end-users have reported cost savings up
to 90% on both oil purchases and oil disposal.
Interesting Facts
The California Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Toxic
Substance Control certified the puraDYN™ Oil Filtration System in 1994 as
“A Pollution Preventing Technology.”
In 1998, they’re-certified the puraDYN™ By-Pass Oil Filtration
System. They stated: “an
effective means of extending engine oil change intervals through the removal of
particulates, water, and dissolved fuel. Extension
of drain intervals educe: 1) use of new oil, 2) generation of used oil, and 3)
potential of spills while draining and transporting used oil.”
They went on to say that, “If properly operated, monitored and
maintained, the puraDYN™ By-Pass Oil Filtration System maintains the following
engine oil properties within acceptable limits for continued use: viscosity and
solids content, water, coolant, fuel, wear metals, and oil additives.”
Vendor Contact Information
puraDYN Filter Technologies Inc. (800) 488-0577 http://www.puradyn.com/
PureCycle Filters (888) 989-1599 http://www.purecyclefilters.com/
Finding uses for
recycled oil will protect the environment and conserve a natural resource.
It is estimated that over 100 million gallons of used oil is recycled
each year in California. Used oil
can be collected, re-refined, and used over and over again. Fortunately, used motor oil is valuable for several
uses and as a result there are well-established systems for collecting and
processing it. Most of the used oil collected in this country is cleaned and
sold as fuel for various industrial processes. A small percentage is actually
recycled to produce new motor oil and other lubricants. Because the oil itself
does not wear out, used oil can be filtered to remove solids, then refined to
remove other contaminants such as water, gasoline, and Diesel fuel. The
resulting oil is combined with new additives as needed to produce a fresh
product.
·
Reconditioned oil can be
produced on-site by the removal of impurities from used oil and using it again.
While this form of recycling might not restore the oil to its original
condition, it does prolong its life.
·
Recycled oil is delivered
to a petroleum refinery and is introduced as a feedstock into the front end of
the refinery process.
·
Re-refined oil involves
treating used oil to remove impurities so that it can be used as a base stock
for new lubricating oil. Re-refining
prolongs the life of the oil resource indefinitely.
This form of recycling is the preferred option because it closes the
recycling loop by reusing the oil to make the same product that it was when it
started out.
·
Oil is processed, which
involves removing water and particulates, so that used oil can be burned as fuel
to generate heat or to power industrial operations.
This form of recycling is not as preferable (and not allowed in
California) as methods that reuse the material because it only enables the oil
to be reused once.
It’s used motor oil that undergoes an extensive re-refining process to
remove contaminants, such as dirt, fuel, water and additives, to produce a
good-as-new base oil. This base oil is then sold to blenders who add additive
packages to produce lubricants such as motor oil, transmission fluid, and
grease. The key is base oil does not wear out; it can be recycled over and over
again. The main difference between re-refined and virgin oil products is
re-refined represents the responsible choice for the environment.
Are re-refined lubricants safe to use?
·
Re-refined oil is subject
to the same stringent refining, compounding, and performance standards as is
virgin oil.
·
Lubricants made from
re-refined base stocks must undergo the same testing and meet the same standards
as virgin lubricants in order to receive the American Petroleum Institute’s
(API) certification.
·
Vehicle and engine
manufacturers such as Mercedes Benz, Ford, General Motors, Chrysler and Detroit
Diesel have issued warranty statements that allow the use of re-refined oil as
long as it meets API standards.
·
Many government and
private fleets have used re-refined lubricants in their vehicles for years and
report no difference in performance from virgin lubricants.
·
There is no compromise in
quality in re-refined oil.
Why recycle used oil?
·
Motor oil never wears out
(Can be recycled, cleaned, and used again)
·
Conserves a natural
resource
·
Good for the environment
·
Reduces pollution threat
·
Get paid for recycling
·
Reduce dependence on
imported oil
·
Re-refining is energy
efficient
·
Help reduce our trade
deficit
·
Provide jobs
Re-Refined Oil Facts
·
2.5 quarts of re-refined
lubricating oil can be produced from one gallon of used oil.
·
Re-refining is energy
efficient—less energy is required to produce a gallon of re-refined base stock
than to produce a base stock from crude oil.
·
Re-refined oil prices are
competitive to equivalent virgin oil products.
·
Mercedes Benz installs
re-refined oil in every new car manufactured.
·
Re-refined oils meeting
the American Petroleum Institute (API) Standards meet warranty requirements for
new automobiles.
·
The California State
Department of General Services will be annually purchasing approximately 200,000
gallons of lubricants with re-refined oil base stock for 1999 and 2000.
·
The United States Postal
Service and National Park Service use re-refined oil in their vehicle fleets.
·
If the oil generated by
all do-it-yourself oil changers in America were collected and re-refined, it
would provide enough motor oil for over 50 million cars each year. This would
reduce our dependence on imported oil, help reduce our trade deficit, and
provide jobs.
·
By using re-refined oil,
the recycling loop is closed.
·
The Department of Defense
compared making lube oils from virgin base oil and use oil and determined using
used oil was both more environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
·
The U.S. Conference of
Mayors has endorsed re-refined oil.
Get Paid For Recycling
If you own or operate equipment that generates used oil, you are
considered an industrial generator of used oil. If you become a registered industrial generator, you can
receive a 16¢ per gallon recycling incentive for all the used oil generated by
your equipment.
Curbside collection programs that pick up used oil may also become
registered with the State. Once
registered, program operators can receive the 16¢ per gallon recycling
incentive for all the used oil collected at curbside as well as used oil
generated by program vehicles.
Private businesses, local governments, or special districts may become
registered industrial generators or registered curbside collection programs.
The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) administers the
Industrial Generator Registration Program.
For more information and a registration application, visit
www.ciwmb.ca.gov/UsedOil/CertsRegs/registr.htm or call the Used Oil Recycling
Program at (916) 341-6457.
Catch engine oil in containers when it is removed from the vehicle.
Keep used engine oil in a container marked "Used Oil Only."
Place the container in a secure area.
Don't mix your used engine oil with any other waste except used ATF and
gear oils. Don't accidentally
contaminate used engine oil by mixing it with even small amounts of brake
cleaner, carburetor cleaner, or other wastes.
DO
DO NOT
Transmission fluid is a petroleum-based product containing additives and a red dye. Transmission fluid typically can be managed the same as used motor oil. Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is typically mixed into the waste oil the shop is collecting for recycling. Check with your service provider as how to proceed.
Transmission fluid is oil based and can become contaminated during use
and/or repairs. Petroleum-based
fluids, chlorinated solvents and heavy metals contaminants must not enter the
water supply. You will need to
control your waste automotive fluid storage area from exposure to rainwater and
the resulting run-off into the storm water drain or sewer system. Call the local
waste treatment facility for answers to your questions concerning storm water
runoff or discharging to the sewer.
Transmission fluid should not be dumped into septic systems, gutters,
storm drains or onto the ground. Used
Transmission fluid judged to be a hazardous waste cannot be released into the
sanitary sewer nor storm drains!
Same issues as engine oil apply here.
The California requirements for the management of used oil can be found
in Article 13, Chapter 6.5, Division 20, of the HSC. The Federal (US/EPA) regulations for used oil are detailed in
40 CFR Part 279.
Same issues as engine oil apply here.
Used transmission fluid can be reconditioned and reused (recycled) by
filtering and removing contaminates from it.
All petroleum-based products, such as transmission fluid can be exempted
from hazardous waste regulations if they have not been contaminated by other
wastes (such as heavy metals and/or solvents), and are recycled.
Automatic transmission, power steering fluids and lubricating oils share
similar pollution prevention prospectives and should be managed and recycled in
the same manner.
Catch ATF in containers when the transmission is removed from the
vehicle. An automatic transmission
that is drained and removed from a vehicle can still contain several quarts of
ATF. Don't let the transmissions
sit on the ground (or shop floor) for extended periods of time, nor be moved
within the shop, without some type of oil catch-containment. Use one dedicated area in your shop for the disassembling of
transmissions, on a sloped, metal bench that drains to a used ATF container.
Keep used ATF in a container marked "Used Oil Only." Place the
container in a secure area. Don't
mix your used ATF with any other waste except used oil. Don't accidentally contaminate used ATF by mixing it with
even small amounts of brake cleaner, carburetor cleaner, or other wastes.