ECAR
Fact Sheet for Kansas
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
Antifreeze can
pollute groundwater, surface water and drinking water supplies if
dumped, spilled or leaked, and is a serious health hazard to humans
or animals if ingested. While in an engine, antifreeze can become
contaminated with lead or fuel to the point where it must be managed
as a hazardous waste. There are two types of antifreeze: Antifreeze
with ethylene glycol, a greenish-yellow, odorless, sweet-tasting
chemical which poses a serious health hazard to humans and animals
if ingested, and antifreeze with propylene glycol which is less
toxic.
The
Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has prepared
a guidance document to help auto recyclers manage used antifreeze.
Much of that information is included in the fact sheet below. You
can access the link to KDHE’s Used Antifreeze Guidance Document
under Other Relevant Resources.
Regulations
Waste
Classification. Because antifreeze can become contaminated
either through use or during storage, it may be considered a hazardous waste.
Each facility is responsible for making a hazardous waste determination
on its used antifreeze. This determination is based on analytical
test results of the used antifreeze (i.e. test the residue or filter
cartridge).
Management
of antifreeze not being recycled. If your used antifreeze is determined to be a hazardous waste,
you must manage it according to the hazardous waste rules. See the
ECAR Hazardous Waste Fact
Sheet for more detailed information.
Testing is required for antifreeze
that is not being recycled and all applicable requirements for management
of hazardous wastes apply. In addition, it should be noted that
users of onsite antifreeze distillation or recycling systems must
characterize any residues including still bottoms and/or filters
to determine if they are hazardous waste. If such residues are hazardous,
they must be managed in accordance with all applicable
hazardous waste regulations.
Recycling Antifreeze. Generators of used antifreeze who
intend to recycle it either on-site or through a legitimate commercial
recycling service are not required to conduct TCLP analyses.
Antifreeze destined for recycling will not be considered a potential
hazardous waste. The used antifreeze can be transported under a
bill of lading or contractual arrangement rather than under a hazardous
waste manifest. However, should a third party offering antifreeze-recycling
services wish to mix used antifreeze on collection trucks prior
to transport, such a practice is acceptable.
Disposal Options.
The
Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) recommends recycling
antifreeze, if at all possible. Directing antifreeze to the municipal
sanitary sewer should be a last resort.
If a batch of non-recycled antifreeze
has been tested and determined to be nonhazardous, it may be solidified
to the point that no free liquids remain, and the waste may then
be disposed of at a permitted sanitary landfill.
Waste
antifreeze may never be discharged to storm sewers, septic systems,
waterways, or be discharged on the ground.
Remember,
the filters and sludge that are generated during the recycling process
may be hazardous wastes.
Spills. You must report all spills that impact
the soils or waters of the state to KDHE.
The
party causing the spill or pollution and the property owner are
responsible for reporting the spill to the KDHE’s 24-hour spill
hotline at 785-296-1679, and all appropriate state agencies, depending on the material and volume spilled.
If
the release is not contained or threatens the health or safety of
the local population the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)
within the county of the release must be notified first by dialing
911.
Hazardous
materials spills and air releases that meet federal reportable quantities
must also be reported to Kansas Division of Emergency Management
(KDEM), which receives reports for the State Emergency Response
Commission (SERC).
Refer
to the Kansas
Spill Notification website
for detailed reporting instructions and contact numbers.
Links
to the Regulations. Use
the following links to view the regulations pertaining to used antifreeze
management.
Kansas’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.
- 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.
- Are antifreeze storage containers and tanks properly
labeled? All waste antifreeze should be labeled “Waste Antifreeze Only,”
and antifreeze that can be recycled or reused, should be marked
“Used Antifreeze”
- 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 the KDHE.
- 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.
- 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.
- Keep antifreeze storage containers closed at all times.
- 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.
- Wear eye protection, clothing that covers exposed skin
and rubber gloves when transferring antifreeze. Pour slowly and
carefully to avoid splashing.
- Consider keeping antifreeze in two separate, closed
containers: one for antifreeze that cannot be reused marked "Waste
Antifreeze," and one marked "Used Antifreeze."
- Never discharge waste antifreeze to storm sewers, septic
systems, waterways, or be discharged on the ground.
- Keep any records relating to used antifreeze for at
least 3 years. This includes receipts for used antifreeze shipments
and any laboratory results.
Contacts
- For more information, contact the KDHE Bureau of Waste
Management at 785-296-1600.
- To report a spill or leak, contact the KDHE 24-hour hotline at 785-296-1679.
- To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact
the nearest
regional office.
Related
ECAR Fact Sheets
- Hazardous
Wastes
Other
Related Resources
- Kansas – Used Antifreeze
Guidance Document
- Environmental help available to Kansas salvage Yards
- Frequently asked questions from salvage Yards operators
- Pollution Prevention for Auto Salvage Yards
- More frequently asked questions from salvage Yards
- Change Your Approach to Waste and Improve Your Profits
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