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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 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. The state of Oregon prohibits the crushing of automobiles without first attempting to remove mercury light switches that are mounted on the hood or trunks of the vehicles. The Oregon DEQ has prepared a detailed guidance document called Managing Mercury Switches, Information for Vehicle Dismantler and Crushers to help auto recyclers properly remove mercury switches, store them and send them on for recycling. This guidance document can also be accessed under Other Relevant Resources. With the exception of Oregon’s requirement to remove mercury switches from vehicles prior to crushing, there are no 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, auto-recycling facilities should implement the best management practices listed below to help prevent these types of environmental violations from occurring at their vehicle crushing operations. 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. Spill Response. If you have a spill, you are responsible for the immediate cleanup of the spill, regardless of the quantity involved. The responsibility lies with the person who spills the product, as well as the person owning or having authority over the oil or hazardous material. Reportable spills include:
Immediately report the spill or threatened spill to the Oregon Emergency Response System (OERS) at 1-800-452-0311. Some oil or hazardous material spills will require a separate notification to the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802. Links to the Regulations. Use the following links to view the regulations pertaining to hazardous waste determinations and management. Oregon’s Mercury Auto Switch Interim Management Policy Oregon’s Hazardous Waste Regulations 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 vehicle crusher management procedures.
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.
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