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ECAR Fact Sheet for Wisconsin
Vehicle Crusher
Regulations
Self-Audit Checklist
Best Management Practices
Contacts
Related ECAR Fact Sheets
Other Relevant Resources
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The following fact sheet was prepared by the ECAR Center staff. Once prepared, each ECAR Center fact sheet undergoes a review process with the applicable state environmental agency(ies). You can check on the status of the review process here. Please read the disclaimer on the status page. While we have tried to present a summary of the essential information on this topic, you should be aware that other items, such as local regulations, may apply to you.
What You Need to Know
The main environmental concern in vehicle crushing operations is letting any fluids still in the vehicle get away from you. If fluids are allowed to drain into the soil, or to get into a drain where they are not supposed to be, you could be in for trouble. And even if the fluids are contained in the crushing area, you need to be sure stormwater won't wash them away.
If the fluids are hazardous wastes, special handling and disposal rules will apply to them.
There are no environmental regulations that specifically govern the design and operation of vehicle crushing operations. However, if vehicle crushing is not performed properly, vehicle fluids will drain to the soil, which is prohibited. Also, allowing vehicle fluids to be carried away by stormwater is prohibited. Therefore, auto-recycling facilities should implement the best management practices listed below to help prevent these types of environmental violations from occurring at their vehicle crushing operations.
Fluids collected during oil crushing operations should be managed as hazardous waste unless a hazardous waste determination has been made that proves that the fluids are non-hazardous. A hazardous waste determination involves collecting samples of the fluid and having the samples analyzed at a laboratory.
Links to the Regulations. Use the following links to view the regulations pertaining to hazardous waste determinations and management.
Wisconsin Hazardous Waste Regulations (NR 590.01-690.81)
Federal EPA Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste
When an inspector comes to your facility, there are certain things he or she checks to see if you are in compliance with environmental regulations. It makes good sense for you to perform a "self-audit" and catch and correct problems before they result in penalties. Also, there are some compliance incentives associated with self-audits (see Audit Policy Page).
Use the following list to audit your vehicle crusher management procedures.
- Do vehicle fluids escape to the soil from vehicle crushing operations? Verify that the soil surrounding vehicle crushing operations does not show signs of vehicle fluid spills. If there are signs of fluid spills, such as stained soil or dead vegetation, then remediation may be necessary.
- Are fluids generated from vehicle crushing properly managed and disposed of? Verify that fluids were properly managed and disposed/recycled as hazardous waste or that a hazardous waste determination was made that indicates it is a non-hazardous waste. If the waste is non-hazardous, verify that it is properly managed.
Best Management Practices (BMPs)
Most regulations tell you what you have to do to be in compliance, but they don't explain how to do it. That's where "best management practices" come into play. BMPs are proven methods that help you to get into compliance and stay there. The following BMPs are recommended for vehicle crusher management procedures.
- Prior to crushing on-site (by either the auto recycler or by a contract crusher), the fuel, air conditioner, engine, transmission, brake, and radiator fluids will be drained inside a building or outside on an appropriately designed hard surface pad.
- The gas tank, tires, battery, known mercury switches, and radiator will be removed from vehicles prior to crushing.
- Absorbents and appropriate containers will be used to control fluid leaks and spills during renovation, removal, installation, or operation of outdoor processing equipment and crushers.
- Vehicles and equipment will be kept reasonably clean of oil and grease, fluids, metal particulates, and debris by wiping down, washing off-site, or washing on-site.
- Appropriate spill prevention and response measures will be provided for portable and mobile equipment that contains fluids. Containment may be provided for portable and mobile equipment.
- A
written preventive maintenance program will be developed for
crushers and other processing and handling equipment and vehicles
which could break down or fail, resulting in discharges of pollutants
to surface or ground waters. The program will include:
- Schedule for periodic inspections;
- Inspection forms and checklists;
- Procedures and guidelines for replacing or repairing excessively worn, corroded, leaking, or damaged parts and materials; and
- Schedule for major overhauls of equipment and vehicles.
- For
more information, contact Wisconsin's DNR Auto Salvage Sector
Resource Specialist at
715-831-3263, or contact the WDNR Regional Office in your area. For northern Wisconsin, call
715-635-2101 or 715-365-8900; West Central Wisconsin, call 715-839-3700; Northeast Wisconsin, call 920-492-5800; Southeast Wisconsin, call 414-263-8500; and, for South Central Wisconsin, call 608-275-3266. - All
spills should be immediately reported using Wisconsin's 24-hour
toll free hotline at
800-943-0003. If you discover a discharge through analysis of soil or water, use the Hazardous Substance Release Fax Notification Form.
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