ECAR
Fact Sheet for Connecticut
Antifreeze
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
Antifreeze
can pollute groundwater, surface water and drinking water supplies
if dumped, spilled or leaked, and is a serious health hazard to
humans or animals if ingested. While in an engine, antifreeze can
become contaminated with lead or fuel to the point where it must
be managed as a hazardous waste. There are two types of antifreeze:
Antifreeze with ethylene glycol, a greenish-yellow, odorless, sweet-tasting
chemical which poses a serious health hazard to humans and animals
if ingested, and antifreeze with propylene glycol which is less
toxic.
The
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CT-DEP) has
prepared a guidance document to help auto recyclers manage used
antifreeze. Much of that information is included in the fact sheet
below. You can access the link to CT-DEP's Auto Recycling Compliance
Guide under Other Relevant Resources.
Regulations
Waste
Classification. Because antifreeze can become contaminated
either through use or during storage, it may be considered a hazardous waste. Each facility is responsible
for making a hazardous waste determination on its used antifreeze.
This determination is based on analytical test results of the used
antifreeze (i.e. test the residue or filter cartridge).
If your used antifreeze is determined
to be a hazardous waste, you must manage it according to the hazardous
waste rules. Listed below are the proper management requirements
or see the ECAR Hazardous Waste Fact Sheet for more detailed information.
- Label all containers in accordance with the hazardous
waste rules. Remember to clearly mark the words “WASTE ANTIFREEZE
- HAZARDOUS WASTE.”
- Keep storage containers closed to prevent evaporation
and spills.
- Use only permitted waste transporters that have
obtained an EPA identification number to transport drums of antifreeze
off site.
- Keep a copy of the test results and manifests
for off-site disposal in your files.
- Manage the residue or filter cartridge as a hazardous
waste.
Recycling.
Used antifreeze can be recycled, but there are things to
keep in mind. You may recycle your antifreeze on-site by purchasing
recycling equipment, contract with an on-site mobile recycling service
that is permitted by CT-DEP to recycle antifreeze, or contract with
a hauler that recycles the antifreeze off-site.
If recycling on-site, a hazardous
waste determination must be made and the waste must be managed accordingly.
If you are recycling antifreeze that is hazardous, you are required
to file a recycling registration with the CT-DEP. Contact WEED at
860-424-3023 to determine if a registration is required for your
recycling process. Remember, the filters and sludge that are generated
during the recycling process may be hazardous wastes.
If
you contract with an outside company that recycles used antifreeze
off-site, that company will be responsible for the hazardous waste
generated during the recycling process. However, you must use a
CT-DEP permitted hauler for transportation to a permitted facility
for recycling, treatment, storage or disposal.
A list of permitted recyclers and
transporters can be obtained from the CT-DEP by calling 860-424-4193.
See the link under Other Relevant Resources.
Spills. In Connecticut, any oil or petroleum
product, chemical or waste that is released in any manner constitutes
a spill. In case of a spill, stop the flow, contain the spill, call
911 or the local emergency response, and report any size spill to the CT-DEP.
The party causing the spill or pollution
and the property owner are responsible for:
- Immediately reporting the spill to the CT-DEP's
Oil and Chemical Spill Response Division at 860-424-3338, and
beginning the appropriate containment and cleanup efforts. The
telephone number is staffed 24- hours/seven days a week. If the
spill is large you should contact a licensed clean-up contractor.
- Completing a written “Report of Petroleum or
Chemical Product Discharge, Spillage, Seepage, Filtration” and
mailing it to CT-DEP within 24 hours.
Links
to the Regulations. Use
the following links to view the regulations pertaining to used antifreeze
management.
Connecticut's Hazardous Waste
Management Requirements
Federal
EPA Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste
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).
Use
the following list to audit your antifreeze storage areas and management
procedures.
- Is used antifreeze stored in drums, tanks or other containers
that are in good condition? Open
containers, and rusting or leaking containers cannot be used
for antifreeze storage.
- Are
antifreeze storage containers and tanks properly labeled? All waste antifreeze should be labeled
“Waste Antifreeze Only,” and antifreeze that can be recycled
or reused, should be marked “Usable Antifreeze Only.”
- Is
the area around the used antifreeze storage containers free
of releases? Releases must be stopped; the released
material cleaned up and managed properly and reported to CT-DEP.
- Is
used antifreeze transported to a recovery facility by a certified
transporter? Check your records and verify that
all shipments of used antifreeze were removed from your property
by a state certified transporter.
- Is
oil, solvent or other materials mixed with used antifreeze? Verify that there are separate,
clearly labeled containers for each type of material, and that
used antifreeze is not mixed with used oil, solvents and other
materials.
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 used antifreeze storage areas and management
procedures.
- Use separate
equipment for the collection of used antifreeze (funnels, pads,
storage containers).
- Drain
antifreeze from radiators and heater cores as soon as possible.
- Keep
waste antifreeze free from cross-contamination with other wastes,
including used oil, fuels, degreasers or radiator flush chemicals.
- Keep
antifreeze storage containers closed at all times.
- Determine
if the antifreeze is waste fluid or reusable and can be recycled.
- Recycle
by reuse, distillation, filtration or ion exchange. Recycling
can be done on-site or off-site by an antifreeze recycling service.
- Wear
eye protection, clothing that covers exposed skin and rubber
gloves when transferring antifreeze. Pour slowly and carefully
to avoid splashing.
- Consider
keeping antifreeze in two separate, closed containers: one for
antifreeze that cannot be reused marked "Waste Antifreeze,"
and one marked "Usable Antifreeze."
- Do
not dispose of antifreeze down storm drains, in septic tanks,
dry wells or on bare ground.
- Keep
any records relating to used antifreeze for at least 3 years.
This includes receipts for used antifreeze shipments and any
laboratory results.
Contacts
- For more information, contact the CT-DEP Bureau
of Waste Management at 860-424-4193.
- To report a spill or leak, immediately call
the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection,
Oil and Chemical Response Division at 860-424-3338, 24 hours/day.
Should this number become unavailable for any reason, call 860-424-3333.
- To report an environmental incident or complaint,
contact the nearest regional
office.
Related
ECAR Fact Sheets
- Hazardous Wastes
Other
Related Resources
- Connecticut
DEP's Auto Recycling Compliance Guide
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