|
ECAR Fact Sheet
for New Jersey
Vehicle Crusher

Regulations
Self-Audit Checklist
Best Management Practices
Contacts
Related ECAR Fact Sheets
Other Relevant Resources
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
The main environmental concern in
vehicle crushing operations is letting any fluids still in the vehicle
get away from you. If fluids are allowed to drain into the
soil, or to get into a drain where they are not supposed to be,
you could be in for trouble. And even if the fluids are contained
in the crushing area, you need to be sure stormwater won’t wash
them away.
If the fluids are hazardous
wastes, special handling
and disposal rules will apply to them.
Regulations
There are no federal or state environmental
regulations that specifically govern the design and operation of
vehicle crushing operations. However, if vehicle crushing is not
performed properly, vehicle fluids will drain to the soil, which
is prohibited. Also, allowing vehicle fluids to be carried away
by stormwater is prohibited. Therefore, you should implement the
best management practices listed below to help prevent these types
of environmental violations from occurring at your vehicle crushing
operations. It is advisable that you check with your local zoning
or planning board for local requirements regarding these activities.
Fluids collected during oil crushing
operations should be managed as hazardous
waste unless a hazardous
waste determination has been made that proves that the fluids are
non-hazardous. A hazardous waste determination involves collecting
samples of the fluid and having the samples analyzed at a laboratory.
Links to the Regulations. Use
the following links to view the regulations pertaining to hazardous
waste determinations and management.
New
Jersey Solid & Hazardous Waste N.J.A.C. 7:26 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
vehicle crusher management procedures.
- Do vehicle fluids escape
to the soil from vehicle crushing operations? Verify that
the soil surrounding vehicle crushing operations does not show
signs of vehicle fluid spills. If there are signs of fluid spills,
such as stained soil or dead vegetation, then remediation may
be necessary.
- Are fluids generated from
vehicle crushing properly managed and disposed of? Verify
that fluids were properly managed and disposed/recycled as hazardous
waste or that a hazardous waste determination was made that
indicates it is a non-hazardous waste. If the waste is non-hazardous,
verify that it is properly managed.
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 vehicle crusher
management procedures.
- Vehicles should be adequately
drained prior to crushing in order to minimize the volume of waste
fluids to manage. Fluids such as fuel, used oil, transmission
fluid, antifreeze, etc. should be stored in separate containers
that are clearly labeled.
- Vehicle crushers should be situated
on a bermed or self-contained impervious surface, preferably under
a roof and protected from the weather. The floor surface should
be sloped to contain fluids. Position crushers toward the center
of the surface or concrete pad rather than along the edge.
- Mobile crushers should always
be situated on an impervious surface or heavy duty plastic sheeting.
Containers designed to be fitted to the crusher can help capture
fluids.
- Maintain disposal receipts from
mobile crusher operators for all wastes generated and transported
off-site for disposal.
Contacts
- For
more information, contact the New Jersey Division of Solid and
Hazardous Waste at
609-292-8341.
- To report a spill or leak, or to report an environmental incident
or complaint, contact the NJDEP 24-Hour Hotline at 1-877*-WARNDEP
(1-877-927-6337).
Related
ECAR Fact Sheets
- Hazardous Wastes
Other
Relevant Resources
None.
BACK
to VIRTUAL TOUR
|