The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has created a set of guidelines and regulations for auto salvage yards and other companies that recycle old vehicles to follow. The regulations were developed to help cut down on waste and pollution that is created during the recycling or disposal process of vehicles.
New Arrivals
All cars brought to a salvage yard or vehicle recycling yard must be inspected for fluid leaks as soon as possible. Then all fluids from the transmission, radiator, engine, heater core, brake lines, differentials, fuel tank, lines and hoses, and even windshield wiper fluid, must be drained and disposed of properly. Vehicles must be stored in such a way off the ground that its parts can easily be inspected for leaks.
Batteries
Batteries must be removed to be disposed of or recycled. All car batteries should be stored properly on a pallet or outside in a leak proof container and should be away from any frequently used areas. Storage areas will be inspected to make sure no fluids have leaded onto the ground and are exposable to rainwater.
Fuel, Oil and Antifreeze
Antifreeze tanks or containers must be labeled "good antifreeze" or "waste antifreeze". Used antifreeze must not be accumulated for longer than 180 days. Antifreeze, by law, may be recycled by reuse, which can be done by distillation, filtration or ion exchange; this can be done or off site. Containers of antifreeze must be in good condition and will be inspected for leakage. The same goes for gasoline tanks or containers of gasoline and they too must be marked "good gasoline" or "waste gasoline." Any fuel that is reusable may only be used in the facility or employee vehicles.
Storage of Liquids
All drums and other containers must be marked properly with contents. Labels should also include an accumulation start date; the date when the hazardous waste was first stored in the container. Disposal records for used oil, waste gasoline and refrigerant must be maintained at a central location onsite for a minimum of three years. Any liquid spills must be taken care of immediately and any contaminated soils must be removed as soon as possible, then stored in a separate labeled container and properly disposed of.
Tires
Waste tires must be stored in a central location and must never exceed an inventory of more than 1,500 tires unless permit is issued. No activities involving an open flame may be conducted within 25 feet of a waste tire storage. Mosquitoes and rodents must be controlled in the tire storage area. When stored indoors, tire piles may not be more than 50 feet in width and if piled against a wall, must not exceed 25 feet in width. There must be a clearance of at least 3 feet from the top of the pile to the sprinkler deflectors. There must also be a clearance of at least 3 feet in any direction from unit or space heaters, furnaces or flues.
Vehicle Crushers
Vehicle crushing machines must be situated on a self-contained impervious surface like cement or asphalt and should be under a roof so that it is protected from weather. Before being crushed, vehicles must be drained and containers can be fitted to the machine to help catch any remaining fluids while crushing takes place. Receipts of disposal must be obtained from the crusher operator for any waste generated as well as the transport of this waste to off-site disposal locations.
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