Commercial

It is important to remember the following points of information below:

Preventative Practices
• Throw away rags that have chemicals on them (rainwater can saturate rags and flow into storm drains or sanitary sewer systems). Keep solvent rags in a closed container when not being used.
• Seal all leaks on vehicles or place a drip pan underneath the vehicle when indoors or under a covered structure.
• Temporarily block inlets to the storm drain system with clean rubber mats to prevent dirt and chemicals from entering during regular cleaning and spill cleanup.

Spill Cleanup/Shop Cleaning & Maintenance
• Use dry cleaning methods for cleaning parts, avoid using hazardous chemicals (if possible).
• Do not hose down your shop floor or parking lot. It is best to sweep regularly.
• Prevent chemicals from entering storm drains.
• Clean up spills by applying absorbent materials (like sawdust or kitty litter) then sweeping them up to dispose of in the garbage.
• Unblock storm drains on property to prevent pollutants from entering storm drains or causing flooding.

Parking Vehicles on Lots
• Check vehicles for leaks before parking on lot.
• Park vehicles on gravel or grass instead of pavement (this will help to absorb vehicle fluids).
• Drain wrecked, leaking vehicles right away.
• Place a drip pad underneath vehicles to absorb spills/leaks, but keep from water.
• Sweep or vacuum a shop regularly.
• Prevent accumulated pollutants from washing down storm drains on your property by inspecting drains.
• Never wash down areas with hoses and avoid using blowers (it only displaces residue).

Storage
• Store and dispose of wastes properly.
• Make sure solid waste containers are in good condition and secured. Preferably keep all solid waste containers inside the shop away from water exposure. If it is necessary to keep containers outside (covered).

Recycle
• Recycle tires, automotive fluids, and wash water.
• Recycle oil, once oil is used it becomes dirty and refining it will clean out particles that could cause potential harm.
• Recycle oil filters (used filters can leak contaminated oil into storm drains if not kept in a proper area.

Vehicle/Parts Washing
• Washing vehicles should be an inside job. If you are washing relatively clean vehicles with water only, wash water can be diverted to a large grassy area. Or wash vehicles with non-toxic chemicals on grass.
• Dispose of wash water according to all regulations, contact your local sewer authority if wash water can be poured into sewers or recycle it.
• Dirty or leaking vehicles can deposit grit, metals, copper or asbestos from break pads.
• When washing vehicles, use environmentally friendly products that will prevent stormwater pollution.
• Soapy or oily vehicles wash water must be either collected for offsite disposal or discharged to a sewer (after checking with the local sewer authority).
• Use self-contained sinks and tanks when cleaning with solvents.
• Designate a wash bay where water will be collected onsite.

Identifying Procedures and Areas to Complete Maintenance
• Designate areas for maintenance activities.
• Regularly maintain equipment and vehicles.
• Properly design outdoor washing, fueling and other maintenance areas.
• Equip drains with shutoff valves in case of spills and regularly inspect these valves to make sure they work.
• Make sure solid waste containers are in good condition, covered and secured.

Employee and Public Education
• Stencil storm drains around service shop with signs saying “No Dumping” or other phrases that discourage pouring oil down storm drains.
• Train employees on pollution prevention practices and post around service area and near customer areas.
• Encourage customers to recycle oil, batteries, and tires at your location (A suggestion would be not to charge a fee for those who are recycling.

Miscellaneous Tips
• Mix only the right amount of paint for a job.
• Inventory automobile fluids to prevent long term storage.
• Inspect leaking bottles.
• Use less toxic substances.
• Switch to non-chlorinated compounds, such as citrus-based solvents, for parts cleaning.
• Use an aqueous (or “water”) cleaning system instead of a solvent-based parts washer.
• Always ask for a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) before ordering new products.

By using the following practices, your business can “Be A Solution To Water Pollution.”

Use sound operating practices
• Use funnels or pumps when handling liquid products or wastes.
• Keep all product and waste chemicals in sealed containers with lids.
• Keep lids on all solvents and turn off your solvent sink when not in use.
• Be aware that otherwise safe products that are mixed with hazardous substances (e.g., chlorinated solvents) may need to be handled as a hazardous waste.
• Never discharge any waste to a street, ditch, storm sewer, stream, or the ground.

Change your processes
• Switch to a recirculating aqueous spray cabinet for cleaning parts instead of using solvents or hot tanks. This can reduce the volume of hazardous waste which will require disposal.
• Use dirty solvent first when cleaning parts. In addition, use a filter on parts washers to extend the life of the solvent.
• Consider switching to water-based or steam cleaners instead of using spray cans of brake cleaners, carburetor cleaner, or solvent parts cleaners.

Recycle wastes that you cannot reduce or reuse
• Contract with a recycling service to pick up used antifreeze, lead-acid batteries, motor oil, oil filters, solvents, and scrap tires.
• Consider an on-site distillation unit to recycle used solvents.
• Fleet maintenance shops should consider using retread tires, re-refined motor oil, and engine oil analysis as means of reducing costs and waste generation.
• Use an oil separator and water recycling system for the wash rack to reduce water usage and wastewater disposal.

Did you know?
• Used motor oil can contain chromium, lead, petroleum hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, or zinc.
• 14% of Georgians surveyed admitted to pouring used motor oil on the ground. According to national figures, if even 14% of the used motor oil in Georgia is being poured on the ground, that would equal approximately 92 fully loaded semi trailer loads of used motor oil.
• It only takes four quarts, or about one oil change, of used motor oil to foul one million gallons of drinking water.
• Oil is stored in a tank until there is a large enough quantity (usually more than 200 gallons) to justify a pick up by an environmental company.

Shop Classification Did you know that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies automobile repair shops under three main categories? They are:

Generator Category	Quantity of Hazardous Waste Generated
Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG)	220 pounds or less per month
Small Quantity Generator (SQG)	Greater than 220 AND less than 2,200 pounds per month
Large Quantity Generator (LQG)	2,200 pounds or more per month

A CESQG is not required to register with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD). The EPA does require an identification number for shops that are classified as either SQG or LQG. An EPA identification number can be obtained by registering with the GA EPD at (404) 657-8831. If a business’s generator status is classified as SQG or LQG during any calendar month an annual fee must be paid. For more information on this annual fee, contact the GA EPD Hazardous Sites Response Program at (404) 657-8600.

Benefits of Keeping A Shop Clean
Creating an environmentally friendly automotive shop can have the following benefits:

• Creating a safer work environment.
• Being compliant with local, state, and Federal environmental regulations and avoid costly penalties.
• Money saved on cleaning agents and hazardous waste disposal fees.
• Avoiding future regulatory and long-term liability issues.
• Improving public opinion of your business.