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
Fluids, like gear oil, power steering
fluid and transmission fluid, are not inherently hazardous, but
if they contain certain additives, or if they have become contaminated
with other solvents, they can fall under the hazardous waste rules.
You can avoid the burden of treating
fluids as a hazardous waste:
- If you do not contaminate them
with other fluids, and
- If you handle and store them properly,
and recycle them with your used oil.
This fact sheet will tell you what
you need to do to avoid problems with fluids.
Regulations
Gear oil, power steering fluid and
transmission fluid are not regulated as a hazardous waste if they
are recycled. These crude-based petroleum products can be managed
like or with your used oil ONLY IF they have not been mixed with
or contaminated by hazardous wastes such as solvents,
brake cleaner or carburetor cleaner. Do not dispose of crude-based
petroleum products in a storm drain, septic tank, dry well, sewer
system or dumpster. Refer to the Used
Oil Fact Sheet.
If the fluids have been contaminated
by other solvents, you must follow the hazardous waste requirements
for storage and disposal. See the ECAR Hazardous
Waste Fact Sheet.
For management and disposal/recycle
of contaminated fluids, you must:
- Have a sample of the used fluid
analyzed by a laboratory to find out if it is hazardous. If it
is non-hazardous, it can be shipped off-site for disposal by a
licensed hauler. If it is hazardous, then special hazardous waste
rules apply.
- Assume that the fluid is hazardous
and manage and dispose/recycle it as such. This approach avoids
laboratory testing costs.
Transmission filters should be handled
like used oil filters. This means that transmission filters are
exempt from the state hazardous waste requirements if they are recycled
or properly disposed of in a landfill or hazardous waste facility.
Links to the Regulations. Use
the following links to view the regulations pertaining to used fluid
management.
Facility
Oil Handling Operations and Design Standards
Washington
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).
For a self-audit checklist for these
fluids, follow the steps on the ECAR Used
Oil Fact Sheet.
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 management and recycle of used transmission fluid/gear oil:
- Manage transmission fluids like
you manage used oil.
- Do not dispose of transmission
fluid in a storm drain, septic tank, dry well, sewer system or
dumpster.
- Remove fluid from transmission
filters by draining for 24 hours.
- Keep drained filters in a container
marked "Used Transmission Filters."
- Do not put undrained filters in
the dumpster.
Contacts
- For more information, contact
the Washington Department of Ecology Hazardous Waste and Toxics
Reduction Program at 360-407-6700.
- To report a spill or leak, call
1-800-258-5990.
- To report an environmental incident
or complaint, contact the nearest Ecology
Regional Office.
Related
ECAR Fact Sheets
- Used
Oil
Other
Relevant Resources
None.
BACK to VIRTUAL TOUR
|
