Fact Sheet: Pollution Prevention Opportunities for the Automotive Recycling Industry

EPA Region VIII
Hazardous Waste Management Division
Hazardous Waste Minimization Program

A fact sheet regarding Pollution Prevention Opportunities for the Automotive Recycling Industry.

Introduction

EPA recognizes the invaluable service that automotive recyclers contribute to the environmental quality of life through the recycling of automotive parts, and scrap metals and the conservation of our natural resources. It is the goal of the EPA Region VIII Hazardous Waste Minimization Program to assist the industry in reaching compliance with existing and anticipated environmental regulations through the use of hazardous waste minimization and other pollution prevention techniques. This fact sheet is intended only as a guide for the automotive dismantling and recycling industry for use in reducing pollutant releases to the environment. Knowledge of and compliance with environmental and occupational safety and health laws is the responsibility of the owner/operator, and is not the focus of this fact sheet.

Benefits of Pollution Prevention

• Pollution prevention economic incentives include:
  
  • Reduced waste disposal costs
    
  • Reduced liability risks
    
  • Improved operations
    
  • Increased competitive advantage

• Bring your facility into compliance with both State and Federal existing and upcoming regulations. BE PROACTIVE RATHER THAN REACTIVE TO REGULATIONS!!!

• Protect public health and environment, and safeguard the health and safety of your employees. PROJECT A POSITIVE IMAGE!!!

• Enhance your public image. BE A GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL NEIGHBOR!!!

• Keep your scrap metal shredder in business. Minimize the volume and toxicity of auto shredder residue by maximizing fluid removal and recycling.

Managerial Commitment

Develop a policy

Management's commitment to waste minimization/pollution prevention should be presented through a clear, concise policy statement. It is the role of management to provide direction and support for waste reduction by reviewing this policy with employees and keeping it posted.

Train employees

Waste reduction is a team effort and can only work if both employees and management are committed to the task. Employees should be trained in pollution prevention techniques, hazardous materials handling and storage, and spill response. Provide the resources to get the job done and encourage participation through incentive programs such as awards, bonuses, and other forms of recognition. Management should explain the environmental, health and safety consequences of spills, as well the benefits of good management and housekeeping practices.

Dismantling Process/Operations

Substitution

Work with vendors, trade associations, technical assistance programs and other experts to find appropriate alternative products, techniques, and equipment which enhance operational pollution prevention and environmental compliance.

Modification

• Installation of a consolidated processing area, where all fluids are drained is strongly encouraged. The area should include a covered, and bermed impermeable concrete surface, which is equipped with a drain. By keeping the various stages of the tear down process in close proximity to each other, spills and the spread of contamination will be minimized.

• Automotive fluids should be drained and recovered as completely as mechanically possible. Fluids should be stored, recycled and/or disposed of properly with minimal spillage.

• Installation of an engineering fabric, such as geotextiles, followed by gravel, or a bermed impermeable concrete surface would be ideal as a foundation under the crusher. A fluid collection system should be collected in a covered container, tested and disposed of accordingly.

Inventory Control

• Keep a well organized yard. Using a computer inventory system, or other efficient method of tracking parts and waste, facilitates yard management.

• Designate one person to keep tract of parts in the yard. As soon as a hulk is salvaged to its minimum extent, it should be processed for shredding. This will minimize the dripping of fluids and reduce clutter in the yard.

• Vehicles of similar make and model should be located in a common area. Likewise vehicles whose parts have higher demand should be in a common area and easily accessible. This will enhance parts salvaging and keep the potential spill area localized.

Housekeeping Practices

• Fluid collection should occur before vehicles are stored in the yard. When pulling parts from vehicles in the yard, however, employ a catch sled or tray to recover the majority of fluids which will be released.

• Know where your sumps and drains discharge. Screen out sludges and solids before they reach the waste sump. Consider using an absorbent pad around the perimeter of sumps to prevent unwanted hazardous materials from entering.

• Establish a Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures plan to prevent the loss of product or waste generated at your yard.

• In the clean up of used oils and other fluids, for instance from storage racks, it is advisable to use a drip pan or absorbent pads from storage racks, it is advisable to use a drip pan or absorbent pads from which fluids can be recovered. The fluids can be either recycled or disposed of by a waste hauler. If other solid absorbents which require disposal are used, they could increase the volume of hazardous waste and also disposal costs.

• The volume of hazardous waste could be increased as a result of mixing hazardous waste with nonhazardous waste, or water. These waste streams should be stored separately, and covered to keep unwanted materials or liquids out.

• Tank storage areas should be secured and locked. Tanks, pumps, fittings, pipes, and containers should be inspected routinely for integrity and leaks.

Automotive Wastes

Waste fluids

• Fuels
  
• Antifreeze
  
• Freon
  
• Used motor oil
  
• Other fluids and oils
  
• Parts washing waste
  
• Stormwater runoff

Other Waste

• Brake shoes and clutches
  
• Batteries
  
• Sodium azide air bags
  
• Metals
  
• Glass
  
• Plastics
  
• Rubber Parts
  
• Rags
  
• Air pollution
  
• PCB Capacitors

Pollution Prevention Opportunities

Waste Fluids

Fuel

Drain fuel tanks using air or hand pumps. A drainage bed is advisable to collect the remaining fuel from tanks. The fuel should be drained into appropriately labeled doubled-walled storage tanks. If gas tanks are punctured, it is best to use a non-sparking brass or beryllium tool. Good gasoline and diesel can be reused on-site, whereas "bad" fuels must be disposed of by a waste hauler.

Antifreeze

Antifreeze should not be disposed of to sewers, leach fields, dry wells, or to the ground. It is recommended to reclaim and reuse antifreeze. Antifreeze to be reused should be recycled through a distillation or microfiltration unit, tested for strength, pH and reconditioned. If waste antifreeze is transported off-site, it should be manifested as a hazardous waste, depending upon test results. Any still bottoms, filters, or solid residues should also be handled as hazardous waste and manifested off-site for disposal.

Freon (CFCs)

It is recommended that CFCs be voluntarily recaptured in anticipation of new regulations. Filters from recapturing units should be tested for their hazardous characteristic and disposed of appropriately. Check with local authorities for guidance regarding CFC regulations.

Used Motor Oil

Used oil is prohibited from being disposed of in a landfill, via a dumpster or directly on the ground. Motor oil should be drained and stored in labeled, doubled-walled, above ground tanks. Used oil can either be recycled for on-site use in a waste oil heater, or sent off-site for re-refining or fuel blending. It should be noted, that it is an accepted practice to leave the oil in the engine during storage. Oil filters should be drained for 24 hours. The empty filters can be returned to the vehicles for scrap metal reclamation.

Other Fluids and Oils

Brake fluids, transmission and hydraulic oils, and other fluids should be drained as completely as mechanically possible. Because these fluids may possibly contain chlorinated compounds, they should be handled and disposed of as a hazardous waste, rather than used in the waste oil burner.

Parts Washing Wastes

Determine if cleaning is absolutely necessary. If so, the parts can be cleaned physically by brushing, wiping, air blowing, or by using minimal amounts of solvents and caustic cleaners with aqueous based cleaners and to retrofit the equipment with a recirculation unit. Spent cleaning solutions may be treated on-site and discharged to a local sewer with permit authorization. Otherwise, solutions should be tested for hazardous characteristics and disposed of appropriately.

Stormwater Runoff

The two major issues affecting compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements are preventing releases of contaminants and collecting and treating runoff. It is suggested that a drainage ditch be designed to collect all stormwater runoff from the yard. Runoff should be collected in a holding pond or sump. A sand trap and oil skimmer, as part of a treatment system, is recommended before discharge to the local sewer.

Other Wastes

Asbestos Brake Shoes and Clutches

Brake shoes and clutches are not typically removed for reuse and are crushed with the vehicle. However, if handled they should be wetted down to prevent asbestos particulates from becoming airborne.

Batteries

Batteries should be stored in sturdy, enclosed container. Spent batteries must be picked up by a licensed hauler, while good batteries can be resold.

Sodium Azide Airbags

Airbag cartridges are reactive and should be handled as hazardous waste. Other than disposal as a hazardous waste, the bags may be donated to vocational schools and for other demonstration purposes where they are detonated by trained individuals.

Metals

Markets exist for radiators, engines, air conditioning coils, catalytic converters and other scrap metals.

Glass

Automotive glass may be removed if in good condition, stored and resold. Automotive glass cannot be recycled into container glass as it is a structural contaminant. Otherwise, it may be used in road base or as a filler in asphalt.

Plastics

Automotive plastics are not presently recovered from vehicles.

Rubber Parts

Tires and other rubber related items in good condition may be resold. Tires may be given to retreaders, landscapers or farmers. Alternatives to conventional reuse include using rubber as a fuel source, in road base, and as a component in asphalt rubber. It is recommended as a last resort that tires be shredded and sent to a monofill until these alternative markets develop.

Rags

Use rags conservatively for clean up purposes. Solvent or oil soaked rags should be wrung out or put in a centrifuge to recover fluids before being sent to an industrial launderer. Damp or wet rags should be kept is a closed container to prevent fugitive emissions from evaporation.

Air Pollution

It is good practice to control fugitive emissions by preventing spills of volatile fluids, keeping drums and other containers covered, substituting chlorinated parts washing solvents with aqueous based solutions, and keeping part washers covered and turned off when not in use.

PCBs

If appliances which contain PCB capacitors are accepted at the salvage yard, the capacitors should be removed by properly trained individuals before the appliance is crushed and sent to the shredder.

Technical Assistance and Other Information

Bureau of Explosives, Association of American Railroads Emergency Numbers

(202) 639-2222

CHEMTREC - Chemical Transport Emergency Center
(800) 424-9300
An emergency number for help in responding to a chemical accident or emergency. Call CHEMTREC immediately for information on control, containments, cleanup, and/or reference to a product specialist.

Hazardous Materials Newsletter Information Line
(802) 479-2307
For response teams (public or industrial) requiring information on tools, materials, emergency planning, etc.

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
(800) 356-4674

National Response Center Hotline
(800) 424-8802
Emergency number to report accidental chemical spills under CERCLA/Title III legislation.

Small Business Administration
(800) 827-5722
Provides assistance with Pollution Control Loans.

U.S. D.O.T. Hotline
(202) 462-2075
Provides assistance on federal hazardous substance transportation regulations.

U.S. EPA Air Quality Planning and Standards
(919) 541-2777

U.S. EPA Asbestos Hotline
(800) 334-8571

U.S. EPA Asbestos Technical Assistance
(800) 334-8571 (Ext. 6741)

U.S. EPA Control Technology Center Hotline - Air Toxics
(919) 541-0800

U.S. EPA Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Hotline
(800) 535-0202
Provides assistance with hazardous material and/or Federal Superfund related problems.

U.S. EPA Inspector General's Whistle Blower
(800) 424-4000

U.S. EPA Region 4
(800) 241-1754

U.S. EPA RCRA/Superfund Hotline
(800) 424-9346

U.S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline
(800) 426-4791

U.S. EPA Small Business Hotline
(800) 368-5888

U.S. EPA Superfund Docket
(202) 382-3046
Provides information pertinent to Superfund rulemaking.

U.S. EPA TSCA Assistance Information Hotline
(202) 554-1404

U.S. Underground Storage Tank Docket
(202) 457-9720
Provides information pertinent to EPA's Underground Storage Tank Program.

U.S. EPA Water Enforcement and Permits
(202) 475-8321

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
999 18th Street
Suite 500
8HWM-HW
Denver, Colorado 80202