Pollution Prevention Tips For Service Stations

What Is Pollution Prevention?
Pollution prevention simply means reducing the amount of waste you generate by changing the way you do business. Changes include using less hazardous materials, conserving energy and water, improving indoor and outdoor air quality, reusing or recycling leftover materials, and managing waste properly.

The bottom line is pollution prevention can...

• Save you money
• Reduce your regulatory burden
• Create a safer working environment
• Improve your public image

Pollution Prevention Tips

• Protect storm drains from fuel, antifreeze, and oil spills
• Substitute less hazardous cleaners wherever possible
• Work with suppliers to reuse pallets and crates
• Give patrons a discount for reusing drink cups on their next visit
• Suppport recycling by purchasing recycled products
• Recycle cardboard, newspaper, office paper, aluminum cans, etc.
• If you service vehicles, recycle used oil, solvents, and antifreeze
• Encourage patrons to reduce waste, reuse, and recycle
• Place recycling bins where the public can easily use them
• Service heating, cooling, and ventilation systems regularly
• Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms
• Use energy-efficient lighting
• Fix water leaks right away
• When washing hands or showering, turn off water when soaping up

Montana Pollution Prevention Program
To learn more about pollution prevention, reuse, recycling, and better waste management practices, contact the Montana State University Extension Service Pollution Prevention Program. Since 1992 the Montana Pollution Prevention Program has provided free, non-regulatory assistance by visiting with business people in their shops, over the phone, at workshops, and in the Program's office on the MSU-Bozeman campus.

Montana Pollution Prevention Program
Montana State University Extension Service
Taylor Hall
Bozeman, MT 59717
Toll-free in MT: (888) 678-6872 or (406) 994-3451
Fax: (406) 994-5417
Home page: http://www.montana.edu/wwwated  

Selected Library Resources
The Montana Pollution Prevention Program has an extensive library full of free fact sheets and materials available for loan by calling toll-free in Montana (888) 678-6872. Examples of the materials available include:

• Automotive Service Stations, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, 1992
• Managing Hazardous Wastes: A Guide for Service Stations, Washington State Dept. of Ecology, 1992
• Pollution Prevention for Automotive Service Stations (video), MSU Extension Service Pollution Prevention Program, 1995
• The Tuned Up Shop: Best Management Tips for a Smooth-Running, Environmentally Friendly Auto Repair Operation, New England Interstate Water Pollution Control, 1994
• Used Antifreeze Handling, Recycling, and Disposal, MSU Extension Service Pollution Prevention Program, 1996

Pollution Prevention In Action

• Several years ago, Yellowstone Park Service Stations (YPSS) set up a progressive pollution prevention program that not only benefits their employees but park visitors as well. For example, YPSS began purchasing less hazardous cleaning solvents, eliminating the use of aerosol containers (switching to refillable compressed-air or pump dispensers), and recycling used oil and antifreeze. When their cars were being serviced, park visitors had the option of having recycled oil or antifreeze placed in their cars.
• Many service stations in Montana have established pollution prevention programs focused on used oil and antifreeze recycling -- resulting in lower waste disposal costs. And as a service to their community (not to mention their local landfills and wastewater treatment plants), they collect used oil and antifreeze from "do-it-yourselfers." For a list of service stations that collect used oil and antifreeze, contact the Montana Pollution Prevention Program.

For More Information:

• MSU Extension Service Solid Waste Program - (888) 678-6872 (toll-free in MT)
• Montana Material Exchange - (406) 994-3451
• County Extension Agent - See local telephone directory
• EPA's Montana Office - (406) 441-1130
• MT Dept. of Environmental Quality - (406) 444-2544
• Small Business Assistance Program - (800) 433-8773

Published January 1997 by the Montana Pollution Prevention Program.
For a copy of this publication, contact the Montana Pollution Prevention Program toll-free at (888) MSU-MTP2 (678-6872) or (406) 994-3451.
The programs of the Montana State University Extension Service are available to all people regardless of race, creed, color, sex, disability, or national origin. Issued in furtherance of cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Andrea Pagenkopf, Vice Provost and Director, Extension Service, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717.

Developed and distributed with funds provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Contact mailto:uedld@msu.oscs.montana.edu if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions.

Last updated: 03 May 2002