03/28/2024
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[ Home > Compliance ]
A GUIDE ON HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT FOR AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOPS
 

LISTED WASTES

A waste is hazardous if it is listed in the Code of Federal Regulations,
40 CFR Part 261.  For details on listed wastes and waste code numbers, 
contact the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The Code of Federal Regulations is available at most libraries or may be purchased from The U.S. Government Bookstore (phone (904) 353-0569).

ACUTELY HAZARDOUS WASTES

Small amounts of very dangerous wastes, such as arsenic and cyanide compounds, are regulated in the same way as large amounts of other wastes.  A business that generates 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) or more of these wastes per month is subject to full regulation under the hazardous waste rules.

IDENTIFYING YOUR HAZARDOUS WASTES

It is very important to determine whether a waste is hazardous or non-hazardous.  There are several ways to identify hazardous wastes. 

  • Obtain and read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).

  • Talk to product suppliers and manufacturers.

  • Read product labels.

  • Compare product and process information to hazardous waste characteristics and to wastes listed in federal regulations.

  • If product or process information is not available or is inconclusive, have a commercial lab sample and test the waste using the TCLP test.

  • A non-hazardous material or product may become a hazardous waste due to contaminants added during use. Lab testing may be necessary.

SOURCES OF HAZARDOUS WASTE

Vehicle Repair and Maintenance

Used Oil 

Used oil that is not mixed with a hazardous waste and is recycled is exempt from state and federal regulation as a hazardous waste. If oil is spilled on the ground and not cleaned up immediately, the oil and soil are likely to be hazardous and cause a groundwater contamination problem.

Lead Acid Batteries

Reclaimed lead acid batteries that are properly handled are exempt from regulation. Batteries that are thrown away are hazardous wastes.

Engine Coolant

Used coolant may contain perc, solvents and heavy metals. Coolant should be recycled through an approved recycling company.  For more information, obtain a fact sheet from DEP.  

Parts Cleaners and Parts Washers

Spent parts cleaners and washers are considered hazardous wastes because they have a low flashpoint (less than 140 F) or they can be toxic. Common solvents include mineral spirits, MEK, 1, 1, 1-trichloroethane and toluene. Some solvents become hazardous wastes  because they are contaminated with heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, chromium or barium. Do not mix spent solvents with used oil. Mixing a hazardous cleaner with any other substance makes the entire mixture hazardous.

Shop Cleanup

Rags contaminated with used oil or solvents may be a hazardous waste.  If your shop washes rags, water must be discharged to a publicly owned sanitary sewer, not a storm sewer, septic tank or cesspool.  If you use a towel service, make sure the company discharges its water to a publicly owned sewer system.

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