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ECAR
Fact Sheet for Wisconsin
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 Used antifreeze, through contact with a car's cooling system, often contains heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and chromium in high enough levels to make it a regulated hazardous waste. If not properly managed and stored, these pollutants can seep into soil and ground water harming people and the environment. But in order to encourage recycling, the State of Wisconsin will give you a break and exempt you from the burden of handling it according to the usual hazardous waste rules if you manage it properly. This fact sheet will tell you:
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has prepared a comprehensive guidance document on handling used antifreeze. Much of the information contained in the document is included in the fact sheet below. To view the DNR fact sheet, click on the link below under “Other Relevant Resources.” Antifreeze Recycling. Used antifreeze recycling methods involve two steps:
DNR strongly encourages the recycling of used antifreeze (which is sometimes called "used engine coolant" or "used ethylene or propylene glycol"). Antifreeze becomes a waste if the original user or generator can no longer use it as antifreeze or coolant. If it is recycled, it is considered "Wisconsin specific universal waste," which is easier and less expensive to manage. Under the universal waste rules, you are considered a handler if you:
another handler or to a destination facility. There are two types of universal waste handlers:
The following are the requirements that apply to both types of handlers. Storage. Containers and tanks used by handlers to accumulate used antifreeze on-site should meet all of the following requirements:
You SHOULD NOT MIX used antifreeze with solid or hazardous waste or other materials such as solvents or oil. Mixing the used antifreeze with other substances may inhibit its ability to be recycled and may cause it to become hazardous waste. Monitoring Used Antifreeze Quantities. Handlers may accumulate used antifreeze for one year from the date the used antifreeze is generated or received from another handler. Handlers may only accumulate used antifreeze for longer than one year from the date the waste is generated or received from another handler if such activity is solely for the purpose of accumulating such quantities as is necessary to facilitate proper recovery. Handlers should demonstrate the length of time the used antifreeze has accumulated, starting from the date the antifreeze became waste or was received. The handler may demonstrate length of time by:
Employee Training. The handler should ensure that all employees are thoroughly familiar with proper waste handling and emergency procedures. Respond to Releases. Handlers should immediately contain and clean up all releases of antifreeze. Any residues resulting from the cleanup of antifreeze spills or leaks that exhibit a characteristic of hazardous waste should be managed according to the applicable requirements of chapters. NR 600 to 685, Wis. Adm. Code. Handlers are required to report spills of hazardous substances to the Wisconsin Division of Emergency Management at 1-800-943-0003. Large Quantity Handlers should also meet all of the following additional requirements: Notification.Large quantity handlers should notify DNR prior to accumulating used antifreeze, unless they have previously notified the DNR and EPA of their hazardous waste activity and received an EPA identification number. The notification form can be found under “Links to the Regulations and Forms.” Record Keeping.Large quantity handlers should keep records for three (3) years on each shipment of universal waste received or sent. These records should include the date of each shipment, the quantities of each shipment, and the name and address of the handler or facility from which used antifreeze was received or shipped to. Antifreeze DisposalUsed antifreeze that is not recycled and therefore, disposed of, must be handled in one of two ways:
See the ECAR Hazardous Waste fact sheet for details about storing, handling, and shipping of hazardous wastes. Auto Recyclers in Wisconsin should be aware of the following regulations:
groundwater pollution. It could also cause the septic system to fail. Links to the Regulations and Forms. Use the following links to view the regulations pertaining to used antifreeze management. Wisconsin Hazardous Waste Regulations (NR 590.01-690.81) Wisconsin Universal Waste Regulations (NR 690) 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 antifreeze storage areas and 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 used antifreeze storage areas and management procedures.
Contacts
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