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ECAR Fact Sheet for Oregon
Waste Fuel
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
Because
waste fuel (gasoline or diesel) is flammable, it is classified as
a hazardous waste if it is sent for disposal, and you need to manage
it according to the hazardous waste rules. Waste fuel is not considered a hazardous
waste if it is recycled or burned as a fuel. This fact sheet will
outline the rules for you, and will provide some suggestions for
how to handle and store waste fuel.
The
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has prepared a
guidance document to help auto recyclers manage waste fuel. Much
of the information is included in the fact sheet below. You can
access the guidance for waste fuel under “Other Relevant Resources.”
Regulations
Waste
Classification. Waste fuel is contaminated gasoline
or diesel that cannot be used in vehicles. Under most circumstances,
waste fuel is a hazardous waste because it is ignitable. Hazardous
wastes must be managed on-site and disposed of by following specific
rules. See the ECAR Hazardous Waste fact sheet for more details about handling hazardous
wastes.
If
fuel is reusable, it should be stored in appropriate containers
(properly grounded and closed on an impermeable surface) and clearly
labeled "Reusable Gasoline" or "Reusable Diesel."
Reusable fuel may be used in facility or employee vehicles.
Mixing Used Oil. Fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and
kerosene, unsuitable for their original intended use may be mixed
with used oil and the mixture managed as used oil. Fuel needing
treatment (i.e., water removal prior to incorporation into used
oil as a fuel) is not exempt from applicable hazardous waste management regulations.
Storage
of Waste Fuel. Waste fuel must be stored in containers
meeting DOT specifications performance criteria and must be in good
condition. This means:
- No severe rusting;
- No bulging or major dents; and
- No visible leaks.
Waste
fuel storage containers must be located within your property limits,
at least 50 feet from your property boundaries. Do not accumulate
waste fuel on-site for longer than 180 days.
Do
not mix waste fuel with any other waste streams, without written
permission from your waste hauler.
Labeling. You must follow specific rules for
labeling hazardous waste storage containers. See the ECAR Hazardous Waste fact sheet for labeling instructions.
Spill
Control. If a spill occurs, you must perform
the following cleanup steps:
- Stop the release;
- Contain the released waste fuel;
- Clean up and properly manage the released waste fuel
and other materials; and
- If necessary, repair or replace any leaking waste fuel
storage containers or tanks prior to returning them to service.
- Notify the Department Spill
Hotline by calling 800-452-0311.
Record
Keeping. You must follow specific rules for
keeping records of hazardous waste accumulated on-site and shipped
for disposal. See the ECAR Hazardous Waste fact sheet for record keeping instructions.
Petroleum contaminated wastewaters. The
Oregon DEQ has a policy that provides guidance for petroleum
contaminated wastewater generated from fuel management activities.
Petroleum contaminated wastewaters include, but are not limited
to:
- fuel storage tank bottom water
- water/fuel mixtures that are generated as a result of fuel product spills
- water collected from secondary containment and sumps.
Petroleum
contaminated wastewater does not include:
- tank cleaning wastes,
- washwater
- wastewater containing hazardous constituents not found in the petroleum product
- tank bottom sludges
- bilge water
- manufacturing wastewater
Petroleum
contaminated wastewaters generated as result of fuel management
activities may be managed as a commercial chemical product, rather
than as solid or hazardous waste, provided:
- the mixture only contains unused fuel and water, and
- the fuel portion is legitimately reclaimed and used as a commercial fuel
For
the petroleum contaminated wastewater to be managed as a commercial
chemical product, exempt from regulation as a hazardous or solid
waste, the generator must:
- determine that the material contains a sufficient amount of reclaimable
fuel product
- manage the material in an environmentally sound manner prior to reclamation
- ensure that the facility reclaiming the fuel product is able to demonstrate
(to both the generator and the Department) that legitimate reclamation
is occurring
- ensure that the recovery facility properly manages the wastewater as a solid
waste, and thus a potential hazardous waste, when it is disposed
Links
to the Regulations. Use
the following links to view the regulations pertaining to waste
fuel storage and management.
Oregon’s Hazardous Waste
Management Requirements
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 waste fuel storage areas and management
procedures.
- Is used waste fuel stored in drums, tanks or
other containers that are in good condition? Open containers, and rusting
or leaking containers cannot be used for waste fuel storage.
- Are waste fuel storage containers properly labeled?
Every
waste fuel storage container must be properly labeled according
to hazardous waste requirements.
- Is the area around the waste fuel storage containers
free of releases? Releases must be stopped and the released material
cleaned up and managed properly.
- Are waste fuel storage containers located on
your property and 50 feet from your property boundary? All ignitable waste storage
containers must be located on your property and at least 50 feet
from your property boundary.
- Is waste fuel mixed with used other wastes such
as used oil? Verify that there are separate, clearly labeled containers for
each type of material, and that waste fuel is not mixed with used
oil or other materials without the written consent of your waste
hauler.
- Is waste fuel transported by an approved transporter
to an approved disposal facility? Check your records and verify
that all shipments of waste fuel were removed from your property
by a state certified transporter and taken to a state approved
disposal facility. You can check on your transporter’s and disposal
facility’s certification by contacting the Oregon Department of
Environmental Quality (DEQ).
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.
- Remove fuel tanks as soon as possible after the vehicle
enters the facility and drain.
- Determine if the fuel is reusable or waste fuel.
- Reusable fuel can be used in employee vehicles. Store
it in closed leak-proof containers labeled, "Reusable Fuel."
Use secondary containment.
- Waste fuel is fuel that can no longer be used because
it is old or contaminated with dirt, water or other wastes. Store
it in closed leak-proof containers labeled "Waste Fuel."
- Always keep reusable or waste fuel containers closed
with funnels removed after use.
- Never mix reusable fuel or waste fuel with other wastes.
- Never store fuel tanks that contain fuel. They should
always be fully drained and vented.
Contacts
- For more information, contact the Oregon Department
of Environmental Quality (DEQ) at
503-229-5696 or 800-452-4011
(toll-free in Oregon).
- To report a spill or leak, contact the Oregon Emergency Response System (OERS) at 800-452-0311.
- To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact
the nearest DEQ Regional Office.
Related
ECAR Fact Sheets
- Hazardous Wastes
Other
Relevant Resources
- Oregon Used Oil Generator Fact Sheet
- Oregon Petroleum
Contaminated Wastewater Management Policy
- OR Vehicle Dismantlers webpage
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