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ECAR
Fact Sheet for Oregon
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 When you absorb toxic or flammable material in a towel, you haven't made it any less toxic or flammable. Depending on what they have been used for, shop towels may need to be managed as hazardous wastes. But you may be able to be exempt from the full burden of hazardous waste management rules if you send your towels to a commercial off-site laundry facility that meets the appropriate state and local requirements to handle such material, or if they are laundered on-site. If you do not send your towels out for cleaning (for example, if you use disposable towels), then the burden is on you to prove that they are not hazardous before you dispose of them. Reusable towels and a qualified laundry service are by far the best bet. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has prepared a guidance document to help auto recyclers manage shop towels. Much of the information is included in the fact sheet below. You can access the guidance for contaminated rags destined for laundering under “Other Relevant Resources.” The Oregon DEQ encourages the use of laundered, reusable wipers whenever possible to reduce waste. If you meet the following conditions, you will not be required to manage your shop towels as a hazardous waste:
This exemption applies only to rags or wipers which are laundered for reuse and meet the above conditions. If rags or wipers are disposed, treated prior to disposal, or do not meet any of the above conditions, they will be considered a solid waste and be subject to a waste determination and applicable hazardous waste regulations. Links to the Regulations. Use the following links to view the regulations pertaining to shop towel management and storage. Oregon 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 handling of used shop towels.
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 handling used shop towels.
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