ECAR
Fact Sheet for
District of Columbia
Waste Fuel
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
Because
waste fuel (gasoline or diesel) is flammable, it is classified as
a hazardous waste if it is sent for disposal, and you need to manage
it according to the hazardous waste rules. Waste fuel is not considered a hazardous
waste if it is recycled.
This fact sheet
will outline the rules for you, and will provide some suggestions
for how to handle and store waste fuel.
Regulations
Waste Classification. Waste fuel is contaminated gasoline
or diesel that cannot be used in vehicles. Under most circumstances,
waste fuel is a hazardous waste because it is ignitable. Hazardous
wastes must be managed on-site and disposed of by following specific
rules. See the ECAR Hazardous Waste fact sheet for more details about handling hazardous
wastes.
If fuel is reusable,
it should be stored in appropriate containers (properly grounded
and closed on an impermeable surface) and clearly labeled "Reusable
Gasoline" or "Reusable Diesel." Reusable fuel may
be used in facility or employee vehicles.
Storage of
Waste Fuel. Waste fuel must be stored in containers
meeting DOT specifications performance criteria and must be in good
condition. This means:
- No severe rusting;
- No bulging or major dents; and
- No visible leaks.
Waste fuel storage
containers must be located within your property limits, at least
50 feet from your property boundaries. Do not accumulate waste fuel
on-site for longer than 180 days.
Do not mix waste
fuel with any other waste streams, without written permission from
your waste hauler.
Labeling. You must follow specific rules for
labeling hazardous waste storage containers. See the ECAR Hazardous Waste fact sheet for labeling instructions.
Spill Control. If a spill occurs, you must perform
the following cleanup steps:
- Stop the release;
- Contain the released waste fuel;
- Clean up and properly manage the
released waste fuel and other materials; and
- If necessary, repair or replace any
leaking waste fuel storage containers or tanks prior to returning
them to service.
- Notify
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.
Record Keeping. You must follow specific rules for
keeping records of hazardous waste accumulated on-site and shipped
for disposal. See the ECAR Hazardous Waste fact sheet for record keeping instructions.
Links to
the Regulations. Use
the following links to view the regulations pertaining to waste
fuel storage and management.
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 waste fuel storage areas and management procedures.
- Is used waste fuel stored in drums, tanks or
other containers that are in good condition? Open containers, and rusting
or leaking containers cannot be used for waste fuel storage.
- Are waste fuel storage containers properly labeled?
Every
waste fuel storage container must be properly labeled according
to hazardous waste requirements.
- Is the area around the waste fuel storage containers
free of releases? Releases must be stopped and the released material
cleaned up and managed properly.
- Are waste fuel storage containers located on
your property and 50 feet from your property boundary? All ignitable waste storage
containers must be located on your property and at least 50 feet
from your property boundary.
- Is waste fuel mixed with used other wastes such
as used oil? Verify that there are separate, clearly labeled containers for
each type of material, and that waste fuel is not mixed with used
oil or other materials without the written consent of your waste
hauler.
- Is waste fuel
transported by an approved transporter to an approved disposal
facility? Check your records and verify that all shipments of waste
fuel were removed from your property by a state certified transporter
and taken to a state approved disposal facility. You can check
on your transporter’s and disposal facility’s certification by
contacting the District.
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.
- Remove fuel tanks as soon as possible after the
vehicle enters the facility and drain.
- Determine if the fuel is reusable or waste fuel.
- Reusable fuel can be used as vehicle fuel by
the salvage yard. Store it in closed leak-proof containers labeled,
"Reusable Fuel." Use secondary containment.
- Waste fuel is fuel that can no longer be used
because it is old or contaminated with dirt, water or other wastes.
Store it in closed leak-proof containers labeled "Waste Fuel."
- Always keep reusable or waste fuel containers
closed with funnels removed after use.
- Never mix reusable fuel or waste fuel with other
wastes.
- Never store fuel tanks that contain fuel. They
should always be fully drained and vented.
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
- Hazardous Waste.
Other
Relevant Resources
None.
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