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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 sometimes be managed as used oil and recycled. Check with your oil handler about the possibility of proper cleaning, collection and market of oily wastewater as fuel additives. 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 ECAR Hazardous Waste fact sheet. If the wastes are non-hazardous, then you should maintain test records that support your determination. Wastewater. Nonhazardous spent aqueous cleaning solutions can be discharged to the municipal sewer system if they meet local discharge limits or with permission from the local water treatment facility. The treatment facility may require you to treat your cleaning solution before discharging to the sewer. Contact your local facility to find out their requirements. Spent parts washer cleaners, both solvents and aqueous cleaners, should never be discharged to a septic system. 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. Pretreatment. To meet these rules, you may need to install treatment equipment such as an oil/water separator to prevent oil and sludge from being discharged to the sewer. This is referred to as "pretreatment." The oil and sludge collected by pretreatment equipment will have to be periodically removed and disposed of. The skimmed oil may be eligible for recycling along with your used oil. However, other parts of the mixture may need to be managed as a hazardous waste (you must make a hazardous waste determination). In most instances, wastewater will require some form of pretreatment prior to discharge into the sewer system. Links to the Regulations and Forms. Use the following links to view the regulations and permit forms pertaining to wastewater. General National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Industrial Permit Pennsylvania Hazardous Waste Management Requirements Federal Safe Drinking Water Act Requirements 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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