ECAR Fact
Sheet for Maryland
Transmission Fluid, Power Steering Fluid and Gear Oil
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
You can avoid burdensome hazardous
waste regulations on fluids like gear oil, power steering fluid
and transmission fluid if:
- you recycle them, and
- you do not contaminate them.
They must be disposed of properly.
Regulations
Gear oil, power steering fluid and
transmission fluid are not regulated as a hazardous waste if they
are recycled. These crude-based petroleum products can be managed
like or with your used oil ONLY IF they have not been mixed with
or contaminated by hazardous wastes such as solvents,
brake cleaner or carburetor cleaner. Do not dispose of crude-based
petroleum products in a storm drain, septic tank, dry well, sewer
system or dumpster. Refer to the Used
Oil Fact Sheet.
Links to the Regulations. Use
the following links to view the regulations pertaining to used fluid
management.
Standards
for the Management of Used Oil, Code of Federal Regulations, 40
CFR Part 279
Technical
Standards And Corrective Action Requirements For Owners And Operators
Of Underground Storage Tanks (UST), Code of Federal Regulations,
40 CFR Part 280
Self-Audit
Checklist
When an inspector comes to your facility,
there are certain things they check 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).
For a self-audit checklist for these
fluids, follow the steps on the Used
Oil Fact Sheet.
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 management and recycle of used transmission fluid/gear oil:
- Manage transmission fluids like
you manage used oil.
- Do not dispose of transmission
fluid in a storm drain, septic tank, dry well, sewer system or
dumpster.
- Remove fluid from transmission
filters by draining for 24 hours.
- Keep drained filters in a container
marked "Used Transmission Filters."
- Do not put undrained filters in
the dumpster.
Contacts
- For compliance information, contact
410-537-3442.
- To report oil spills, contact 1-866-633-4686
(Available 24 hours a day).
- MDE Oil Control Program at 410-537-3412.
Related
ECAR Fact Sheets
- Used
Oil
Other
Relevant Resources
- MDE
Fact Sheets and Publications Related to Oil Storage and Tank Management
- MDE’s
Oil Control Program Home Page
- Waste Permit Applications and Instructions
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