ECAR
Fact Sheet for District of Columbia
Window-Washing
Fluid
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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 thing
to remember about window-washing fluid is not to mix it with
any other fluid that could turn it into a hazardous waste.
If you keep it uncontaminated, it does not have to be a waste
at all -- it can even be of value to you, since recovered window-washing
fluid can be resold or given to customers or employees.
But even if
you have kept it clean, do not pour it down the drain.
Regulations
Window-washing
fluid is mainly water with small amounts of alcohol and detergent
and possibly antifreeze. The regulations for handling window wiper
fluid are similar from state to state, meaning that if window wiper
fluid is not mixed with other fluids, it can be recycled without
any regulatory impacts. In the District of Columbia, window-washing
fluid cannot be disposed of onto the ground, in septic tanks, in
sewer systems, or storm drains.
If window-washing
fluid is combined with other fluids, the mixture may be a hazardous
waste and you should perform a hazardous waste determination. See
the ECAR Hazardous Waste fact sheet for more information.
Links to
the Regulations.
Use the following links to view the regulations pertaining to window
washing fluid.
District
of Columbia’s Hazardous Waste Management Requirements: Copies of the DC Hazardous Waste
Management Regulations are available from the Department for a small
fee to cover the cost of copying. For more information, contact
the Hazardous Waste Division at 202-535-2290.
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 procedures for recycle/disposal of window-washing
fluid.
- Window-washing fluid can be managed as a non-hazardous
waste if it is not combined with other fluids. Verify that window-washing
fluid is accumulated into separate storage containers and that
no other types of fluids are added to these containers.
- Window-washing fluid cannot be disposed of onto
the ground, in septic tanks, in sewer systems, or storm drains. Verify that procedures are
in place to properly manage and dispose/recycle window-washing
fluid.
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 window-washing
fluid:
- Drain window-washing fluid during dismantling and before
vehicle is stored in the yard.
- Store window-washing fluid on a concrete (impermeable)
surface in covered containers that are clearly marked (e.g., “Reclaimed
Window-washing Fluid.”
- Reuse reclaimed window-washing fluid in facility or
employee vehicles.
- Sell or give away reclaimed window-washing fluid to
customers.
Contacts
- For more information, contact the District of Columbia
Department of Health, Hazardous Waste Division at
(202)
535-2270.
- For reportable spills or leaks, call the DC Emergency
Management Agency’s 24-hour communications hotline at 202-727-6161,
or the non-emergency number at 202-673-3331. If a spill requires contact
to a federal agency, the person required to give the notice would,
at the same time, be required to give telephonic notice to the
DC Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Health, Hazardous
Waste Division.
- To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact
the Environmental
Health Administration.
Related
ECAR Fact Sheets
None.
Other
Relevant Resources
None.
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