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Common wastes in auto recycling facilities that may be dangerous waste are described in the table below.
Ten Designation Steps offers general information on identifying dangerous waste.
Links go to publications or pages that offer more information on the waste.
Waste |
Where/ Why |
Waste Code |
| Absorbent materials (See Used Shop Towels) | Absorbents contaminated with dangerous waste may become dangerous waste. |
Code depends on materials absorbed (e.g. D008, D018, F002) |
Aerosol cans | Propellant is most likely ignitable, and the product may be dangerous waste. | Char: D001, D003, Test to determine the waste code of contents | Air bags | Sodium azide in undeployed air bags may burn exposed skin. Unstable reactive waste. Dangerous to inhale. | D003 |
| Antifreeze, Spent ethylene glycol | Always state-only waste and often characteristic-toxic, due to lead and other heavy metals. Recyclable. | WT02. Not needed, if recycled. |
| Batteries, Lead-acid (See Vehicle Battery Recycling at WAC 173-331.) | Corrosive acid. Corrodes metals or other materials or burns skin. Contains lead and sulfuric acid ph < 2 | D002 & D008 Not needed, if handled as Universal Waste or recycled under spent lead acid battery exclusion |
| Brake and carburetor cleaners | Usually contains chlorinated solvent – methylene chloride. Can contaminate non-hazardous wastes, e.g. used oil, transmission fluid. Persistent | F002 |
| Brake fluid | Toxic when contaminated with chlorinated solvents from brake cleaner and if it contains certain additives. Persistent | F002, or, if not contaminated, manage under used oil regs without codes |
|
Contaminated soil |
Toxic, characteristic possibly due to heavy metals, - lead, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, total petroleum hydrocarbons and volatile organics. | Test to determine contents and waste codes |
|
Fuel and fuel filters |
Flammable, ignitable. Flashpoint less than 140F. Capable of causing explosion & fire. Contaminated gasoline or diesel that cannot be used in vehicles “as is” as a fuel. | D001 Not considered dangerous waste if recycled or burned as fuel. |
|
Hot tank solutions |
Corrosive from spent cleaning solutions and sludge | D002 Test to determine contents and waste codes |
|
Lead parts |
Example: lead wheel weights, battery cable ends. Toxic, characteristic. Causes lead poisoning | D008 or Recycle as scrap metal without codes |
| Example: hood and trunk light switches & anti-lock brake (ABS) sensors. Highly toxic metal. Extremely toxic to nervous system | D009, Not needed, if handled as Universal Waste | |
| Mercury-containing lights and lamps (Fluorescent bulbs and tubes) | Bulbs and tubes can be characterized as toxic, due to mercury, but they can be handled as a universal waste. | D009, Not needed, if handled as Universal Waste |
|
PCB-Containing Light Ballasts |
Ballasts are listed with PCB concentration of ≥ 2 ppm | WPCB Not needed if managed under PCB exclusion |
| Paint, oil based, used or expired | Listed and ignitable waste: The solvent blend contains, before use, ten percent or more of solvents such as, toluene, and MEK. (for F001, F002 F004 F005 listed waste only). The mixture also has a flash point below 140°F. | D001 or for a heavy metal |
|
Refrigerants |
Example: chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). These can be released to atmosphere & destroy ozone layer. | D019 and D022. Not needed, if recycled under CFC exclusion |
| Scrap metal | Catalytic converters recycled for platinum content. | Test for waste code. Some regulation relief if managed under the precious metal exclusion. No codes needed if managed as scrap metal. |
| Shop Towels / Rags Contaminated with Dangerous Waste | Absorbents soaked with dangerous waste become dangerous waste.
Toxic, ignitable depending on use to clean. However, non-dripping rags/
towels are not considered dangerous waste if they are
|
Test for waste code. Some regulation relief if managed under the precious metal exclusion. No codes needed if managed as scrap metal. |
|
Solvent, parts-cleaner waste |
Listed and ignitable waste: The solvent blend contains, before use, ten percent or more of solvents such as, toluene, and MEK. (for F001, F002 F004 F005 listed waste only). The mixture also has a flash point below 140°F. | Listed: F001, F002, F003, F004, F005 Char: D001or for heavy metals |
|
Sludge or “bottoms” from solvent still |
Listed and often ignitable waste: Still bottoms from a still where the solvent blend contains, before use, 10% or more of solvents such as, toluene, and MEK (for F001, F002 F004 F005 listed waste only). The mixture also has a flash point below 140°F. | Listed: F001, F002, F003, F004, F005 Char: D001or for heavy metals |
| Sump sludges | Characteristic – toxic for heavy metals, total petroleum hydrocarbons. | WT02, not needed, if recycled. |
| Tires, waste | Tires are not considered dangerous waste, but no more than 800 tires can be stored on-site at any time. | Not needed |
| Transmission filters and fluids | Dangerous waste if they contain certain additives or if they have become contaminated with other solvents, brake cleaner or carburetor cleaner. | Not dangerous waste if recycled under used oil regulations |
|
Used motor oil and filters
See Used Oil Facts |
Often characteristic-toxic waste due to levels of lead and/or benzene. Usually recycled. | Test to determine waste code or recycle through approved handler. |
| Windshield washer fluid | Mainly alcohol, water and detergent. Many contain small amounts of antifreeze. | Not needed, if reused |
Vehicle Recycling Manual: A Guide for Vehicle Recycling is an Ecology publication that can assist Auto Recyclers with dangerous-waste management.
You Auto Recycle is a VHS video/ DVD that can be ordered from Ecology.Hazardous Waste Services Directory is a database-driven list of companies that help others to manage dangerous waste.
Auto Mercury Switch Removal Program reimburses three dollars per mercury-containing switch. Auto recyclers and scrap-metal processors now have a chance to earn cash while helping to protect our future.
Mercury Switch Removal Poster is an Ecology poster listing the affected switches to hang in your shop.
Mercury Switch-Removal Guide is an Ecology publication for mechanics and auto recyclers about replacing switches.
Manage Waste for Auto Recyclers offers guidance for dangerous-waste management for auto recycling facilities.
Shop Guide for Dangerous Waste Management is an Ecology publication and guide to handling many types of common shop wastes.
Vehicle Recyclers: A Guide for Implementing the Industrial Stormwater General National Pollutant Elimination Discharge System (NPDES) Permit Requirements provides vehicle recyclers with information on how to comply with the NPDES Industrial Stormwater General Permit.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
