PACE - Partners for a Clean Environment

Auto Repair Shops

As a commercial sector, automotive service and repair shops constitute the largest small quantity generators of hazardous waste in the U.S. Boulder County has approximately 300 auto repair shops, of which approximately 130 shops operate in the city of Boulder. Source: Generation and Management of CESQG Waste, Office of Solid Waste, Municipal and Industrial Solid Waste Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, July 1994

Gene's Continental Coach Repairs

Charlie Curran, of Gene's Continental Coach, with Sarah Van Pelt, PACE Coordinator.
His shop is fully a certified PACE partner.

Sources of Pollution from Auto Repair Shops

The table below lists the primary waste streams in an auto repair shop. For most of these sources, less hazardous alternatives are available, or wastes can be reused or recycled.

Waste Stream	Health/Environmental Concerns	Pollution Prevention Alternatives
used oil and lubricants	water contamination	on-site waste oil heater or off-site recycling or burning
spent anti-freeze	water contamination	filtration (on- or off-site) and re-use
used tires and rubber products	solid waste	recycle or retread
used batteries	heavy metals (lead, mercury), acid, which may contaminate soil or water	recycle off-site
used oil filters	solid waste, water contamination from residual oil	recycle off-site
parts cleaning solvents and sludge	may contain: - VOCs which contribute to smog, - hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), - chlorinated compounds which deplete ozone - chemicals with significant worker health concerns (carcinogens, nervous system, liver, kidney damage) may be flammable (low flash point), water contamination	switch to aqueous-based parts washers or thermal bake units, use non-chlorinated products
refrigerants	air pollutant (ozone-depleting CFCs)	recycle refrigerants (required by law)
cleaning rags	solid/hazardous waste	use industrial laundering facility

Cleaning solvents and degreasers are usually the largest hazardous waste stream in a shop. Many solvents contain chlorinated compounds which can deplete the earth’s protective ozone layer. Most solvents currently used are highly flammable and contain VOCs which contribute to smog. Chemicals commonly found in cleaning solvents may cause significant worker health concerns; examples include 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA) which causes lung, liver, and brain damage, and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) which causes liver and kidney damage. Alternatives to petroleum-based solvents include detergent or citrus-based cleaners.

Another significant waste stream are lubricants (primarily used oil). Used oil contains toxic chemicals, and small amounts will contaminate a large quantity of water. Re-refining of used oil is an excellent pollution prevention option because it is much more efficient than refining crude oil. Used oil can also be burned on- or off-site for heat or energy production.

Other solid and hazardous waste streams include rags and absorbents, used tires and rubber parts, used filters, and used batteries. All of these streams can be reused or recycled to avoid landfilling of waste and possible contamination of soil and water from hazardous materials.

Pollution Prevention Successes

Examples of pollution prevention measures implemented by auto repair shops in 1997 and the related benefits are provided below.

Waste Stream

Pollution Prevention Measure

Benefits

parts washer solvents

switched to higher flash point solvents

improved worker health and safety

parts washer solvents

purchased an aqueous parts cleaner

improved worker health and safety,
reduced emissions of HAPs and VOCs,

reduced labor costs,

reduced operating costs

chlorinated brake cleaner in aerosol cans

switched to bulk, non-chlorinated cleaner

improved worker health and safety, reduced solid waste,
reduced material costs

oil filters

began recycling oil filters

reduced solid waste,
reduced risk of water/soil contamination