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Regulations BACK to VIRTUAL TOUR 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 Various methods are used to clean oil and grease from auto parts before sale. This fact sheet covers the environmental issues associated with aqueous cleaning methods such as enclosed spray washers, hot dip tanks, pressure washers, and steam cleaning. Solvent Cleaning (e.g., Stoddard solution, mineral spirits) is covered under a separate fact sheet. Aqueous cleaners are one of the most popular choices for degreasing parts at automotive recyclers and are a good alternative to petroleum-based and halogenated solvents. Some of the benefits of aqueous cleaners are that:
With aqueous cleaning processes there are two major environmental concerns:
Management and disposal options for these two wastes are discussed below, as well as used filters. Oil, Sludge, Sediment. Oil skimmed from an aqueous cleaning solution can be managed as used oil and recycled. Most recyclers will accept skimmed oil with used motor oil as long as it is not contaminated with solvent. Contaminated oil and other solids that are removed from aqueous cleaning operations should be managed as hazardous waste unless you have performed tests that indicate they are non-hazardous. For more information, see the Auto Recycling Plain Language Guide to Solid/Hazardous Waste Management. If the wastes are non-hazardous, then you should maintain test records that support your determination. Wastewater. Wastewater from your aqueous cleaning process is regulated in one of several different ways, depending on how it is disposed of. There are two primary options for disposing of wastewater from aqueous cleaning:
Option 1 is an economical solution when there is a sufficiently small volume of wastewater generated (see BMPs for minimizing the volume). Option 2 is viable when the facility is located in an area served by a municipal sanitary sewer system. Before you begin to discharge industrial wastewater using option 2 you must acquire a permit or written notification from your local sewer treatment agency. You will also have to meet certain rules found in federal and state regulations. It is important to note that discharging industrial wastewater to a septic tank is not a viable option. Septic tank systems, wells, drain fields, cesspools and similar disposal sites are regulated by federal and state rules that are designed to prevent the contamination of underground drinking water supplies. For more information see the ECAR Septic Tanks and Disposal Wells Fact Sheet. Used Filters. Some metal casing filters may be recycled along with spent engine oil filters with the permission of the recycler. Contact your oil recycler to determine if they will take your filters. Plastic and cloth filters should not be recycled with used oil filters. These filters should be managed as hazardous waste and disposed of by a licensed waste disposal company. Links to the Regulations and Forms. Use the following links to view the regulations and permit forms pertaining to wastewater. North Carolina Administrative Code Section 15-A - Water Quality Regulations NPDES Permit for Municipal Discharges Federal EPA Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste 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 aqueous cleaning operation.
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 aqueous cleaning.
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