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ECAR Fact Sheet for Idaho
Brake
Fluid

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
Brake
fluids are not inherently hazardous, but if they contain certain
additives, or if they have become contaminated with brake cleaner
or other solvents, they can fall under the hazardous waste rules.
You
can avoid the burden of treating brake fluid as a hazardous waste:
- If
you do not contaminate it with other fluids, and
- If
you handle and store it properly, and recycle it with your used
oil.
This
fact sheet will tell you what you need to do to avoid problems with
fluids.
Regulations
In
the State of Idaho, brake fluids are considered used oil and can
be combined with your used oil as long as they don’t contain any
solvents, brake cleaners or carburetor cleaners. See ECAR Used
Oil fact sheet. Remember, brake fluid contaminated with any
of these materials could cause your used oil to become hazardous.
If your operation still uses brake cleaners in aerosol cans, chances
are they may contain chlorinated solvents that are a hazardous waste.
For
management and disposal/recycle of contaminated brake fluid,
you must:
- 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.
- Assume
that the fluid is hazardous and manage and dispose/recycle it
as such. This approach avoids laboratory testing costs.
Links
to the Regulations. Use the following links to view the regulations
pertaining to hazardous waste determinations and management.
Idaho’s Used
Oil Management Standards
Federal
EPA Used Oil Management Standards
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 used brake fluid management procedures.
- Is
your brake fluid free from solvents, brake cleaners or carb cleaners?
If the brake fluid has not been contaminated with such elements
it can be recycled with your used oil.
- Used
brake fluid is potentially a hazardous waste. Verify that
contaminated brake fluid was properly managed and disposed/recycled
as hazardous waste or that a hazardous waste determination was
made that indicates it is a non-hazardous waste. If not contaminated,
brake fluids can be combined with your used oil.
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 brake fluid storage areas and management procedures.
- Manage
brake fluid in a manner similar to used oil.
- Collect
uncontaminated brake fluid in your container labeled "Used
Oil."
- Recycle
uncontaminated brake fluid as used oil.
- Identify
a waste management company that will recycle contaminated brake
fluid.
- Don’t
pour brake fluid down any drain or on the ground.
- Don’t
spray brake cleaner around brake fluid.
Contacts
- For
more information, contact the Idaho Waste Management and Remediation
Division at 208-373-0502
- To
report a spill or leak, call the Idaho state Communication Center
at 800-632-8000 or 208-846-7610.
- To
report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the nearest
regional office or fill out an online environmental concern
form.
Related
ECAR Fact Sheets
- Hazardous Waste
- Used Oil
Other
Relevant Resources
- Idaho's
Guidance for Used-Oil Generators
- Idaho
– Used Oil Recyclers
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