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ECAR Fact Sheet for Illinois
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 Illinois, 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.
Illinois
Administrative Code Standards for the Management of Used Oil
Federal
EPA Used Oil Management Requirements
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 Illinois EPA Office of Small Business Helpline toll-free at
(888) EPA-1996.
- To report a spill, contact the
Illinois EPA 24 hour hotline at 800-782-7860 or the National Response
Center at 800-424-8802.
- To report an environmental incident
or complaint, contact the nearest Illinois
EPA Regional Office.
Related
ECAR Fact Sheets
- Hazardous
Waste
- Used
Oil
Other
Relevant Resources
- Illinois
EPA Used Oil and Used Oil Filters Fact Sheet
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