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Hazardous wastes present a danger to human health and the environment
through direct exposure to the wastes or by potential exposures from transportation
and disposal. Hazardous wastes are defined and regulated by the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, known as RCRA ("Rick-Rah").
RCRA in Focus provides an overview of the basic federal regulations covering
wastes that are likely to be hazardous in your business. It also provides
recycling and pollution prevention options to help businesses decrease
the amount of hazardous waste they produce.
EPA's user-friendly manual is targeted to small quantity generators of
hazardous wastes. The manual helps small businesses determine whether
they generate hazardous waste and provides comprehensive information on
how to comply with the federal hazardous waste regulations for small quantity
generators.
Universal wastes are generated in a wide variety of settings by a large
number of facilities, including residences and offices, and may be present
in significant volumes in non-hazardous waste management systems. The
Universal Waste Rule currently applies to batteries, pesticides, thermostats
and fluorescent lamps.
State adoption of the 1995 Universal Waste Rule is optional because the
rule is less stringent than the previous requirements under RCRA. States
can create different standards (except for batteries due to the Battery
Act), but they have to be equivalent to the federal regulations.
Many vehicle maintenance operations generate used antifreeze. Before
use, antifreeze is not considered a hazardous waste. However, after antifreeze
goes through a radiator it may become contaminated, causing the used antifreeze
to exceed one of the hazardous waste definitions thresholds.
Refrigeration service activities are regulated under the Clean Air Act
which is designed to prevent ozone depletion by requiring the capture
and recovery of used refrigerants, the use of certified recycling equipment,
and the training and certification of all operators.
Batteries contain acids, lead and other pollutants that may escape to
nearby surface waters or percolate into groundwater sources when improperly
stored or disposed. Vehicle batteries should never be disposed of with
routine solid waste. Battery recycling agreements should be in place with
your battery supplier.
Changing vehicle fluids includes oil, transmission, hydraulic, brake
and antifreeze changes and lubricating greases. The primary environmental
impact from fluid changes is potential surface and groundwater contamination
resulting from spills or improper disposal of fluids and solid debris.
If you are one of the many people who change their own motor oil, you
need to know how to properly dispose of the used oil. Did you know the
used oil from one oil change can contaminate 1 million gallons of groundwater
if dumped down a storm drain?
Traditional parts cleaning technologies utilize either caustics, natural
solvents or petroleum-based solvents. For many shops, the paperwork, management
requirements and training imposed because of the use of large quantities
of hazardous substances and generation of large quantities of hazardous
waste has become quite burdensome and time consuming.
Painting operations generate both solid and hazardous wastes including
waste solvent, paint, sandblasting grit and rags and can also produce
air emissions and discharges to wastewater treatment plants. Resource
Conservation Recovery Act, Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act requirements
may pertain to vehicle painting.
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