ECAR Fact Sheet for Minnesota
Used 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

Used antifreeze, through contact with a car’s cooling system, may contain traces of fuel, oil and metal particles (including lead), making it a possible hazardous waste. If not properly managed and stored, these pollutants can seep into soil and ground water harming people and the environment.

But in order to encourage recycling, the State of Minnesota will give you a break and exempt you from the burden of handling it according to the usual hazardous waste rules if you manage it properly.

Regulations

Waste Classification. You must determine whether the antifreeze is reusable or is a waste fluid. The handling process for each is described below.

Recycle Reusable Antifreeze. Reusable antifreeze is considered a product and can be used in facility vehicles, sold or given away. Use one of these methods:

• Reuse: Antifreeze can be reused in facility vehicles or machinery, sold as used antifreeze or given away. (Reusable antifreeze can be filtered to remove undissolved solids. But filtration does not remove dissolved contaminants.) This antifreeze does not need to be recycled using the distillation or ion exchange methods listed below.
• Distillation: Restores used antifreeze to a high level of purity.
• Ion exchange: Restores used antifreeze to a high level of purity.

* You may recycle antifreeze on site using a distillation or other acceptable recycling unit. Or, you can bring used antifreeze to a recycling service in your area. Some recycling services come to your site, recycle your waste antifreeze and leave the recycled product with you. When antifreeze is distilled, it may be able to be resold to service centers for use in some vehicles under warranty.

Disposal of Waste Antifreeze. Waste antifreeze is antifreeze that is contaminated or too old to be reused. Test results have shown that used antifreeze may contain lead, benzene and other contaminants at levels that make it hazardous. Waste antifreeze is considered a special waste and must be disposed of according to special waste guidelines. For specific regulations, refer to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Fact Sheet on Managing Waste Antifreeze, #4.02.

You may discharge it to a drain connected to a wastewater treatment facility only if:

• You generate less than 50 gallons per month;
• The wastewater treatment facility is permitted by the MPCA and has agreed to accept it; and
• You have submitted a Sewered Waste Notification Form to the wastewater treatment facility and received approval in writing.

Note: Whenever practical, reuse and recycle are preferred to disposal.

*You may also manage waste antifreeze under the more stringent hazardous waste guidelines. Under these standards, waste antifreeze is assumed to be hazardous and need not be tested. See the MPCA Hazardous Waste Compliance Guide.

Storage and Labeling. Store antifreeze in closed containers on an impermeable concrete surface with spill controls. Consider keeping antifreeze in two separate, closed containers: one for antifreeze that cannot be reused marked "Waste Antifreeze Only," and one marked "Usable Antifreeze Only."Spills. Clean up all spills right away. Keep spill control equipment in a central location, accessible to all employees. Report chemical spills which may cause pollution to the State Duty Officer at 651-649-5451 or 1-800-422-0798. (Please refer to the cleanup fact sheets MPCA Reporting Spills and Leaks, and Spill Prevention and Planning.Links to the Regulations. Use the following links to view the regulations pertaining to used antifreeze management.Minnesota Hazardous Waste Rules

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.

1. 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 "Usable Antifreeze Only."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 MPCA.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.
2. 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.
• 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.
• Consider keeping antifreeze in two separate, closed containers: one for antifreeze that cannot be reused marked "Waste Antifreeze," and one marked "Usable Antifreeze."
• Do not dispose of antifreeze down storm drains, in septic tanks, dry wells or on bare ground.
• Keep any records relating to used antifreeze for at least 3 years.

Contacts

For more information, contact the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Regional Office closest to you:

1. Northeast Region (Duluth) 218-723-4660.
2. North Central Region (Brainerd) 218-828-2492.
3. Northwest Region (Detroit Lakes) 218-847-1519.
4. Southwest Region (Marshall) 507-537-7146.
5. Southeast Region (Rochester) 507-285-7343.

*Report petroleum and fuel spills of five or more gallons, and any other chemical spill (including lead-acid batteries) which may cause pollution, to the State Duty Officer at 651-649-5451 or 1-800-422-0798.

Related ECAR fact sheets

1. Hazardous Wastes

Other Related Resources

1. MPCA Fact Sheet – Managing Used Antifreeze
2. Motor Vehicle Salvage Facility Environmental Compliance Manual

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