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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

Fluids, like gear oil, power steering fluid and transmission fluid, are not inherently hazardous, but if they contain certain additives, or if they have become contaminated with other solvents, they can fall under the hazardous waste rules.You can avoid the burden of treating fluids as a hazardous waste:

• If you do not contaminate them with other fluids, and
• If you handle and store them properly, and recycle them with your used oil.

Regulations

Gear oil, power steering fluid and transmission fluid are not regulated as a hazardous waste if they are recycled. These crude-based petroleum products can be managed like or with your used oil ONLY IF they have not been mixed with or contaminated by hazardous wastes such as solvents, brake cleaner or carburetor cleaner. Do not dispose of crude-based petroleum products in a storm drain, septic tank, dry well, sewer system or dumpster. Refer to the Used Oil Fact Sheet.If the fluids have been contaminated by other solvents, you must follow the hazardous waste requirements for storage and disposal. See the ECAR Hazardous Waste Fact Sheet.For management and disposal/recycle of contaminated fluids, you must:

1. Have a sample of the used fluid analyzed by a laboratory to find out if it is hazardous. If it is non-hazardous, it can be shipped off-site for disposal by a licensed hauler. If it is hazardous, then special hazardous waste rules apply.
2. Assume that the fluid is hazardous and manage and dispose/recycle it as such. This approach avoids laboratory testing costs.

• Puncturing the filter antidrain back-valve contained in most automotive oil filters or the filter dome, and then hot draining; the antidrain back-valve consists of a rubber flap that creates a vacuum to prevent oil from draining back into the engine.
• Hot draining and crushing.
• Dismantling and hot draining.
• Any other equivalent draining method that will remove the used oil such as pressurized air draining.

1. Stop the release. If a pipe is leaking, shut off the flow to the pipe;
2. Contain the released used oil using the appropriate sorbent materials such as pads or granular sorbents;
3. Clean up and properly manage the released used oil and other materials; and
4. If necessary, repair or replace any leaking used oil storage containers or tanks prior to returning them to service.
5. To report a spill or leak, call or fax a completed spill report form to the nearest ADEC Office at 907-269-3063 (Anchorage), 907-451-2121 (Fairbanks), 907-465-5340 (Juneau), or 800-478-9300 (after hours), or contact the National Response Center at 800-424-8802.

Self-Audit Checklist

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). For a self-audit checklist for these fluids, follow the steps on the ECAR Used Oil Fact Sheet.

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 management and recycle of used transmission fluid/gear oil:

• Manage transmission fluids like you manage used oil.
• Do not dispose of transmission fluid in a storm drain, septic tank, dry well, sewer system or dumpster.
• Remove fluid from transmission filters by using proper draining methods.
• Keep drained filters in a container marked “Used Transmission Filters.”
• Do not put undrained filters in the dumpster.

1. For more information, contact the Alaska EPA at 907-271-6329, the EPA Anchorage Office at 907-271-5083, the EPA Juneau Office at 907-586-7604, or the EPA Kenai Office at 907-260-4872. You can also receive information from the Alaska Hazardous Waste Info Line at 800-550-7272 or by going to EPA's hazardous waste website.
2. To report a spill or leak, call or fax a completed spill report form to the nearest ADEC Office at 907-269-3063 (Anchorage), 907-451-2121 (Fairbanks), 907-465-5340 (Juneau), or 800-478-9300 (after hours), or contact the National Response Center at 800-424-8802.
3. To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the nearest regional office.

1. Used Oil

1. Alaska – Used Oil Fact Sheet