ECAR Fact Sheet for Kansas
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

Both waste fuel and useable fuel pose not only an environmental risk to facilities but also a safety risk to employees. Handling, storing, and disposing of fuel requires special care to prevent spills, explosions, and fires, as well as human health risks due to exposure. Useable gasoline or diesel can be used in facility or employee vehicles.

Waste fuel is gasoline or diesel that has been mixed with water or other wastes, or is too old to be reused. This fact sheet will outline the rules for you, and provide some suggestions for how to handle and store waste fuel.

Regulations

Waste Classification. Waste fuel that is not acceptable for on-site reuse can be picked up by a fuel blender as a non-hazardous waste. Waste fuel that is unacceptable to fuel blenders must be managed as a hazardous waste. See the ECAR Hazardous Waste fact sheet for more details about handling hazardous wastes.

* For safety, do NOT mix waste fuel with used oil. There could be an explosion if a mixture of waste fuel and used oil is burned in a used-oil space heater.

If fuel is reusable, it should be stored in appropriate containers and clearly labeled “Reusable Gasoline” or “Reusable Diesel.” Reusable fuel may be used in facility or employee vehicles.

Storage of Waste Fuel. Follow these steps when storing useable or waste fuel in drums or other portable containers:

• Store fuel in DOT-approved containers such as drums or aboveground storage tanks. Place the containers on a covered, curbed, impervious surface with spill controls, including drip pans and absorbents.
• Containers in which fuel will be placed and the container from which the fuel is being poured need to be grounded so that static electricity will not cause a spark, which could ignite the fuel.
• Keep storage containers closed and remove open-topped funnels when not in use.
• Inspect fuel storage containers often.
• Pump the fuel from dismantled vehicles using an air-driven pump (electric pumps could spark and ignite the fuel).
• Label fuel storage containers appropriately as “Useable Gasoline” or “Useable Diesel,” or “Waste Gasoline,” or “Waste Diesel.” Also, if your waste fuel is unacceptable to a fuel blender, then it must be re-labeled as hazardous waste.

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.

If you store waste fuel outdoors, the storage area must be addressed in your Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan.

Transporting Waste Fuel. Verify that all shipments of waste fuel are removed from your property by a state permitted transporter and taken to a state approved disposal facility. You can check on your transporter’s and disposal facility’s permits by contacting KDHE.

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:

1. Stop the release;
2. Contain the released waste fuel;
3. Clean up and properly manage the released waste fuel and other materials; and
4. If necessary, repair or replace any leaking waste fuel storage containers or tanks prior to returning them to service.
5. Notify the department Spill Hotline by calling 785-296-1679.

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.

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 waste fuel storage areas and management procedures.

1. 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.
2. Are waste fuel storage containers properly labeled? Every waste fuel storage container must be properly labeled according to hazardous waste requirements.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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 KDHE.

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 in employee vehicles. 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

1. For more information, contact the KDHE Bureau of Waste Management at 785-296-1600.
2. To report a spill or leak, contact the KDHE 24-hour hotline at 785-296-1679.
3. To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the nearest regional office.

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

1. Hazardous Wastes

Other Relevant Resources

1. Environmental help available to Kansas salvage Yards
2. Frequently asked questions from salvage Yards operators
3. Pollution Prevention for Auto Salvage Yards
4. More frequently asked questions from salvage Yards
5. Change Your Approach to Waste and Improve Your Profits

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