ECAR Fact Sheet for Delaware
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

Used antifreeze, through contact with a car's cooling system, may contain traces of lead and benzene, making it a possible hazardous waste. If not properly managed and stored, these pollutants can seep into soil and groundwater harming people and the environment.

But in order to encourage recycling, the State of Delaware will give you a break and exempt you from the burden of handling it according to the usual hazardous waste rules if you manage it properly. This fact sheet will tell you:

• How to handle antifreeze to qualify for the exemption.
• What you need to do if you do not qualify in order to manage antifreeze in compliance with hazardous waste rules.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has prepared a guidance document to help auto recyclers manage antifreeze. Much of the information is included in the fact sheet below. You can access the guidance for antifreeze under “Other Relevant Resources.”

Regulations

Waste Classification. Antifreeze is made up using some regulated chemicals including ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. During use, antifreeze can become contaminated with traces of benzene and lead.

Due to its composition, used antifreeze can be considered a hazardous waste. However, if used antifreeze is recycled, it doesn't need to be treated as hazardous waste. Recycling can be done on-site or off-site by an antifreeze recycling service. A list of antifreeze recyclers is provided under “Other Relevant Resources.”

Used Antifreeze Recycling. Drain antifreeze from radiators and heater cores as soon as possible after vehicles enter the facility. Determine if the antifreeze is usable or a waste fluid. Usable antifreeze is considered a product and can be used in facility vehicles, sold or given away. The following methods can be used for recycling used antifreeze:

• Antifreeze can be reused in facility vehicles or machinery, sold as used antifreeze or given away. Usable antifreeze can be filtered to remove solids, however, filtration does not remove dissolved contaminants.
• Distillation restores used antifreeze to a high level of purity, by removing dissolved contaminants.
• Ion exchange restores used antifreeze to a high level of purity, by removing dissolved contaminants.

You may want to purchase distillation, ion exchange or filtration equipment for your facility or use an approved antifreeze recycling service to recycle used antifreeze

See the ECAR Hazardous Waste fact sheet for details about storing, handling, and shipping of hazardous wastes.

Waste Antifreeze. Unusable antifreeze or waste antifreeze will need to be disposed of at an approved off-site treatment, storage and disposal facility or recycled by an approved recycling service.

Recycle waste antifreeze with a permitted hazardous waste recycler and use a permitted hazardous waste transporter. A list of permitted recyclers and transporters is provided under “Other Relevant Resources.”

In Delaware, you can discharge waste antifreeze to a wastewater treatment facility if discharge is less than 15 kilograms (33 lbs or 3.5 gallons) per month. Antifreeze is determined to be hazardous to a wastewater treatment facility and is allowed only if the discharge meets the following requirements:

• The Environmental Protection Agency and the DNREC Hazardous Waste Management Branch is notified in writing.
• The wastewater treatment facility operator is notified in writing and approves of the discharge in writing.
• The wastewater treatment facility is permitted by the DNREC and in some cases, local agencies.

Storage and Labeling. Store antifreeze in closed DOT-approved containers on a curbed, coated or lined, concrete surface with spill controls, including drip-pans and absorbents. Keep storage containers closed when not in use. Remember to always remove open topped funnels. Otherwise they may fill with rain and cause used antifreeze to overflow. Label storage containers according to type of antifreeze either “Usable Antifreeze” or “Waste Antifreeze.”

Prohibitions. The following activities are prohibited:

• Do not store antifreeze in open or leaking containers.
• Do not pour antifreeze on the ground.
• Do not pour antifreeze into the storm water sewer system, or into an on-site septic system.
• Do not leave open topped funnels in storage drums or tanks.
• Do not mix antifreeze with other fluids.

Spills. Clean up all spills right away. Keep spill control equipment in a central location, accessible to all employees. Notify the DNREC 24-hour Release Reporting Hotline at 800-662-8802, or 302-739-5072 (business hours), or the National Response Center at 800-424-8802. Releases by transporters must be reported by calling the 24-hour hotline at 800-662-8802, or the DNREC at 302-739-3689 or 302-739-4580.

Filter Management. Waste antifreeze filters and particulate generated from recycling antifreeze also must be managed as hazardous waste or proven that they are non-hazardous through laboratory analysis. See the ECAR Hazardous Waste fact sheet for additional information.

Record Keeping. Keep all receipts of used antifreeze shipments and filter management. The written receipts or records must include:

• Name and address of the generator and the recycling facility for off-site shipments.
• The amount of used antifreeze shipped or recycled on-site.
• The amount of waste antifreeze filters shipped off-site.
• Date of shipment or recycling.

Links to the Regulations. Use the following links to view the regulations pertaining to used antifreeze management.

Delaware'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.

1. 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.
2. Are antifreeze storage containers and tanks properly labeled? All waste antifreeze should be labeled "Waste Antifreeze," and antifreeze that can be recycled or reused, should be marked "Usable Antifreeze."
3. 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 DNREC.
4. 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.
5. 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.
• 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.
• Keep 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.

1. For more information, contact the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Division of Air and Waste Management, Hazardous Waste Program at 302-739-3689.
2. To report an emergency spill or leak, call the DNREC 24-hour Release Reporting Hotline at 800-662-8802, or 302-739-5072 (business hours), or the National Response Center at 800-424-8802. Releases by transporters must be reported by calling the 24-hour hotline at 800-662-8802, or the DNREC at 302-739-3689 or 302-739-4580.
3. To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the nearest regional office, or call the Toll-Free 24-Hour Environmental Complaint Line.

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

1. Hazardous Wastes

Other Related Resources

1. Delaware — Antifreeze Guidance in Salvage Yard Guidance Document (Chapter 2)
2. Delaware — Antifreeze Recyclers List

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