Mechanical Repair

You must properly manage waste from your customers, the used oil, antifreeze, worn-out tires, etc. [See the A to Z Waste List and Regulatory section]. You can take a much more active role in preventing waste from the areas directly under your control, such as partswashing and spill cleanup.

Parts Washers/Aqueous Cleaners
Petroleum solvents used in parts washers are highly regulated due to their environmental and health impacts. For infrequent users, changing partswashing equipment probably is not worth it. But, you could try some pump sprays with the aqueous cleaners. Larger operations will likely benefit from an equipment switch. Really busy shops can benefit from load-and-walk-away cabinets.

Aqueous Parts Washers for Small Operations Because aqueous parts washers use waterbased chemistries, they can be less hazardous to operate than petroleum solvent parts washers. This fact sheet describes the options available and has a list of suppliers.

Aqueous Parts Cleaning
Aqueous cleaners are waterbased solutions that, unlike petroleum-based solvents, are typically nonflammable and contain little or no VOCs. Instead of dissolving grease and solids, aqueous cleaners rely on heat, agitation and soap action to break dirt into smaller particles. Although they clean differently, aqueous cleaners perform as well as solvents.

Aqueous Parts Cleaning—Best Environmental Practices for Auto Repair This U.S. EPA Region 9 fact sheet reviews equipment, and includes a cost worksheet to estimate costs and savings associated with switching from solvent to aqueous cleaning, and repair case studies.

Aqueous Parts Cleaning—Best Environmental Practices for Fleet Maintenance Fleet maintenance case studies in this U.S. EPA Region 9 fact sheet.

The shops featured in these U.S. EPA Region 9 case studies successfully switched from solvent to aqueous (waterbased) parts cleaning. Aqueous cleaners are capable of meeting or exceeding the many parts cleaning challenges encountered in a wide variety of auto repair operations.

Case Studies in Aqueous Parts Cleaning—Best Environmental Practices for Auto Repair The California auto repair shops in these case studies successfully switched from solvent to aqueous (waterbased) parts cleaning.

Case Studies In Aqueous Parts Cleaning—Best Environmental Practices for Fleet Maintenance U.S. EPA Region 9 fact sheet.

Absorbent
Handle liquids carefully. When spills do occur, use tools instead of absorbent supplies for cleanup. Remember that oily waste can't go into the garbage.

Use a squeegee and dustpan as shown to retrieve most of the oil and pour it right into your used oil container. If the floor is dirty, place a section of window screen over your funnel before you pour.

Save the expensive absorbent for the remaining residue, not the main spill.

Oil Cleanup Used oil and used oil sorbent are regulated hazardous wastes. This fact sheet highlights strategies for cutting oil use and reducing spills.

Other Resources
Antifreeze Recycling—Best Environmental Practices for Auto Repair and Fleet Maintenance Although sewering may be an option for you, why drain away a reusable and possibly profitable material? Waste antifreeze can be recycled by three different methods. U.S. EPA Region 9 fact sheet.

Aqueous Brake Washers—Best Environmental Practices for Auto Repair and Fleet Maintenance Aqueous brake washing units use waterbased cleaning solutions. These solutions are nonflammable and contain little or no volatile organic compounds. Aqueous brake washing units are widely available, perform as well as solvent-based equipment and offer many other advantages. U.S. EPA Region 9 fact sheet.

Environmental compliance for trucking and vehicle maintenance facilities Green Truck is a service provided by American Trucking Associations in cooperation with the Transportation Environmental Resource Center. This site provides timely and reliable information about environmental compliance requirements at trucking and vehicle maintenance facilities. From underground storage tanks to diesel smoke testing, they've got your answers.

Floor Cleanup—Best Environmental Practices for Auto Repair and Fleet Maintenance Decrease the floor wash water volume and contamination at your auto repair shop to minimize the impact of wastewater regulations, reduce liabilities, protect the environment and community, and save your shop time and money. U.S. EPA Region 9 fact sheet.

Floor Drain Systems Basic utilities usually are not thought about until a problem arises. Plumbing systems typically function for many years without needing attention. This fact sheet gives tips on preventing plumbing problems. It covers basic information about floor drain systems and separators and includes simple maintenance ideas.

Oil Life Extension—Best Environmental Practices for Fleet Maintenance Fleet maintenance facilities generate a tremendous amount of used oil from routine engine maintenance. This U.S. EPA Region 9 fact sheet describes how a testing program can extend engine oil life and thus lower oil consumption, reduce used oil generation, and decrease operating costs with no risk to your vehicles.

Oil Water Separators—Best Environmental Practices for Auto Repair and Fleet Maintenance Oil/water separators can be costly to maintain, and if not properly managed can pollute surface and ground water leading to costly violations. Take steps to minimize the effects of your oil/water separator on your shop's budget and the environment. U.S. EPA Region 9 fact sheet.

Refillable Spray Bottles—Best Environmental Practices for Auto Repair and Fleet Maintenance Think about where you use aerosols. Can you buy bulk at substantial cost savings and apply liquids with refillable and reusable aerosols? U.S. EPA Region 9 fact sheet.

Reusable Oil Filters—Best Environmental Practices for Fleet Maintenance Using reusable oil filers can save your facility money and reduce its impact on the environment. Lasting up to the life of a vehicle, reusable oil filters eliminate the waste stream created by conventional disposable filters. U.S. EPA Region 9 fact sheet.

Waste Reduction at a Vehicle Maintenance Facility A MnTAP Intern helped the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reduce waste in one of its vehicle maintenance facilities. All of the waste streams were analyzed and reduction options for each stream are proposed, including using remanufactured parts; using low-sulfur diesel fuel; lengthening equipment service cycles; and minimizing waste from oil, antifreeze, solvent, used oil filters, tires, batteries, floor sorbent and aerosols.