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Pollution Prevention (P2) for Automotive Oil Change and Lube Shops 811191
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Sheets
Opportunities may exist to save a significant amount of money for your
business and simultaneously protect the environment through P2.
What is P2? P2 is the use of materials, processes, or practices that
eliminate or reduce the creation of pollutants or waste at the source. P2
consists of a variety of strategies and techniques that strive to avoid the
production of waste and the subsequent costly and sometimes dangerous waste
management activities. Waste avoidance or reduction may result in increased
facility efficiencies as well as significant savings from lowered waste
management costs, raw materials costs, reduced insurance and worker safety
costs. There is, therefore, the opportunity to simultaneously improve your
bottom line - and protect the environment.
Where can I obtain information? The Business & Environmental Service
Centers have compiled a library of P2 reference materials that may help you
identify and adopt P2 measures appropriate to your business. For local P2
information, call 1-800-GOV-1-STOP. The following publications may be requested
online:
What are the benefits of P2?
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Business Cost Savings: You may realize -
reduced energy costs, operational costs, production costs,
raw materials costs, transportation costs, treatment and
disposal costs, compliance permits, monitoring and
enforcement costs.
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Environmental Protection: Your employees and
patrons will appreciate your leadership in the
implementation of business practices that are economically
viable, sustain natural resources and diversity, and
enhance the quality of life for present and future
generations.
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Regulatory Relief: It is easier to achieve and
maintain compliance once P2 measures have been
implemented.
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Reduced Liability, Exposure, and Health Risk:
Less waste means less liability for environmental problems
at both on-site and off-site treatment, storage and
disposal facilities. Reducing waste also means less
potential risk to human health and safety and reduced
worker exposure to toxic chemicals.
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Reduced Energy Consumption: Energy conservation
and energy use efficiency will reduce costs and the risk
of power outages.
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What new technologies reduce costs and promote P2?
- Recycling/Reuse of Used Oil and Oil Filters: If you reduce your
total monthly volume of hazardous waste to less than 220 pounds or 275
gallons, you will have significantly fewer hazardous waste regulations
to comply with and will have many more waste management options.
Advantages include: reduced disposal costs; decreases worker safety
and environmental liability that helps your shop stay ahead of
tightening regulations.1
- Oil/Water Separators: Are used to treat vehicle and floor wash
water by allowing substances lighter than water to float and
substances heavier than water to sink. Separators can be costly to
maintain, may require a tiered permit to operate, and if not
properly managed, can pollute surface and ground water, and lead to
costly violations. Use reusable absorbent pads that absorb only oil
and grease to make collecting and removing separated oil easier.2
- Floor Cleanup: Minimize wastewater generation and still keep a
clean shop floor. Strategies include preventing spills from ever
reaching the floor by using spill prevention equipment; sweeping or
vacuuming your shop floor frequently and using a mop as an
alternative instead of hosing down the shop floor; and never walking
away from a spill by having workers carry rags to wipe small spills
when they occur. Advantages include: protecting the environment and
community, trimming down employee cleaning time, reducing worker
safety hazards and the likelihood spilled fluids will be tracked
around your shop and into your client’s cars. A clean shop looks
great to customers and workers alike!3
- Good Housekeeping: Practice good housekeeping measures to greatly
decrease the amount of wastes that you generate. To reduce excess
waste production use spigots, pumps and funnels when dispensing and
transferring materials; never mix different types of waste together
as mixing wastes may make recycling; and reuse or recycle paper,
cardboard and 55 gallon drums to eliminate or reduce non-hazardous
waste. Advantages include: minimizing waste and spills of shop
chemicals saving you money by saving raw materials.4, 5
Why is P2 a good idea for businesses? Here is an annual cost comparison
of solvent versus aqueous cleaning units:
| Large Quantity |
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Small Quantity |
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Conditionally Exempt Small |
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Generator (LQG) |
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Generator (SQG) |
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Quantity Generator (CESQG) |
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2,200 lbs or 275 |
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220 to 2,200 lbs or |
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220 lbs or 27 gallons |
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gallons or more |
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27 to 275 gallons |
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or less per month |
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per month |
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per month |
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5 drums or more |
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½ drum to 5 drums |
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Less than ½ drum |
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per month |
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At least 78 regulations |
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At least 67 regulations |
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Substantially fewer regulations resulting in lowered regulatory
fees! |
*Source: US EPA, 1999
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