Brake parts should be recycled and/or sent to the manufacturer for relining when possible. Brake pads and shoes (especially older types) may contain asbestos. It is recommended that High Efficiency Particulate Air (EPA) filter vacuum be used on the braking systems prior to servicing (whether dust is visible or not.). Brake pads, master cylinders and other brake metal wastes should be returned to a parts supplier for rebuilding. Before returning brake cylinders or any other part containing fluid, be sure to drain it well. Brake items such as rotors and hardware are considered scrap metal.

P2 Opportunities:

At the time of disposal, any aerosol can containing hazardous chemicals that would be a listed or characteristic hazardous waste is a hazardous waste container. If the can is empty, that is, it contains no propellant or product and is at atmospheric pressure; the can will not be regulated as hazardous waste and may be recycled as scrap metal or disposed of as solid waste. Consider phasing out the use of spray cans in your shop. You may realize a large savings by switching to non-aerosol products. Consider using refillable canisters that use compressed air, portable parts washers, or pump sprayers. Use up the entire contents of spray can before starting another. Make sure that the can is completely empty before discarding it. If a spray can malfunctions (for example, the tip breaks off), return it to your supplier or handle it as a hazardous waste. Recycle empty metal cans unless they contain hazardous waste residue.

P2 Opportunities:

Many parts cleaning machines utilize a filter system to prolong the useful life of the cleaning agent. The filters trap heavy metals or toxic organic substances and particulate. They must be treated or disposed as a hazardous material. There are several effective choices of cleaning fluids for parts cleaning. Historically, auto repair shops have used solvent based cleaning fluids in their parts cleaners. The dirty, spent solvent required special handling and most repair shops relied on a hazardous waste management company to supply and maintain the solvent-based cleaning system. An Aqueous washer unit uses biodegradable soap and hot water. Deposited sludge from cleaning is solid waste in a landfill.(? If evaluated as non-haz) Water is reused and discharged to the local sewer system (?if permitted). Consider using less hazardous solvents or switching to a spray cabinet parts washer that does not use solvent. Install a filter on your solvent sink to greatly increase the life of the solvent. Dispose of the filters as hazardous wastes. Make sure solvent is too dirty to use before it is exchanged for new solvent. Use only the number of parts washers that are necessary. For multiple parts washers, consistently use one for all of the initial cleaning to keep the other parts washers fresh. When the first one becomes too dirty, dispose of the cleaner properly and  switch to one of the others and use that one as a primary cleaning station.Consider purchasing your own solvent still and recycling solvent on-site. Keep a log of dates, recycled amounts, and batch make-up amounts. Remember that sludge, filters, and still bottoms generated from on-site solvent recycling are typically hazardous. Keep different types of solvents in separate, clearly labeled, closed containers.
P2 Opportunities

P2 Opportunities:

Used tires are usually retained by the shop to be sent to a recycler or resold. Some state or local programs that shred tires and then use them for asphalt. In some instances, tires are sent to the landfill. Contract with haulers or processors that have appropriate and verifiable end-uses. Manage waste tires to reduce fire and insect vector dangers. Indoor storage or covered storage will prevent water accumulation. If necessary, waste tire piles should be limited to small piles with fire lanes. Rotate tires every 5,000 miles and maintain proper inflation to insure maximum life from new or re-treaded tires. Participate with tire retailers, haulers or processors to recycle waste tires. Contact planning and zoning agencies, district health departments, or local solid waste agencies for guidance on collection and storage requirements.

P2 Opportunities:

Properly dispose of batteries by delivering them to: a wholesaler or retailer from whom you purchased the batteries, a permitted secondary lead smelter, a facility that recycles the batteries by extracting the lead, or a collection center that sends batteries to a smelter or a recycler. Avoid long-term storage of batteries. Dispose of them at least every 6 months. Store batteries upright in a secure, covered location. Check often for leaks. If a leak occurs, package and handle the spill as a hazardous waste.

P2 Opportunities:

Gloves can be recycled if made from natural rubber (take-back program). Reuse by washing latex gloves; Replace fluids so nitrocellulose gloves aren’t necessary; and use barrier cream instead of gloves. Any PPE that is provided must be made available to employees at no cost. PPE is equipment that is worn by the employee and reduces exposure to risk factors and MSD hazards in the job. Examples are palm pads and knee pads to reduce contact stress, and gloves worn to protect against extreme temperatures.

P2 Opportunities:

Lead wheel weights and battery cable ends are common sources of lead. Lead is also found in radiators, heater cores, steering columns, soldered parts and electronic components. Before removing parts such as radiators or heater cores, drain fluids carefully to prevent spills and manage them appropriately. Talk to your lead-acid battery recycler to see if they can properly manage lead components as well.

P2 Opportunities:

Most cars today are equipped with a three-way catalytic converter. The term Three-way refers to the three emissions it helps to reduce carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons or volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and NOx molecules. The converter uses two different types of catalysts, a reduction and an oxidization catalyst. Both types consist of a base structure coated with a catalyst such as platinum, rhodium and /or palladium. Recycling is the preferred method for managing this waste stream The metals content in used catalytic converters makes recycling a viable option. Scrap catalytic converters contain platinum-a valuable, recyclable metal. Store catalytic converters in a marked container to prevent mixing with other scrap. Recycle catalytic converters to your nearest collection center.

P2 Opportunities:

Mercury is a potent toxic chemical that causes brain, lung and kidney damage in humans. The substance has been used in switches for hood and trunk convenience lighting, and in other devices, becoming a contaminant when vehicles are scrapped. The amount of mercury in the switches of just four cars is enough to contaminate a 17-acre lake, said a spokesman for New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. The mercury is released, potentially into ground water, when cars are crushed or burned in recycling. Mercury containing switches should not be thrown into the solid waste dumpster but should be handled as a hazardous waste.

Mercury has a tremendous impact on our environment and on our health. Mercury can affect a child’s attention span and memory, and even cause serious brain damage. Recent studies by the National Academy of Sciences and the Center for Disease Control clearly show the irreversible impacts mercury has on our health. Mercury is so toxic that one gram — about the amount used in one automotive switch — can contaminate all the fish in a small lake.

P2 Opportunities: