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Tips for Your Agency > Garage & Repair Shop
Other Automotive Products
WASTE REDUCTION TIPS:
 absorbents
brake
cleaners
car
wash detergents
filters
ALSO SEE resources for
information on enhancing automotive-related pollution
prevention
and environmental compliance activities.
Absorbents
- Target leaking vehicles for repair, which will reduce
fluid loss and use of absorbent for spills. Implement a leak/drip
identification and maintenance plan for vehicles stored on-site.
- Place pans to collect drips, where appropriate.
- Use a specially designed spill vacuum to recover spilled
fluids.
- Collect and reuse dry absorbent by filtering the used absorbent.
Purchase or construct a sifter. The sifter is simply a mesh screen,
placed over a 55-gallon drum, which filters usable absorbent from
saturated absorbent.
- Use reusable absorbent
pads under leaks and to clean up spills. These pads are
highly absorbent and can be wrung out and reused several times
before disposal.
- Use hydrophobic
mops for oil cleanup. The high-viscosity mop effectively
absorbs and contains small spills. If other materials such as
water or engine coolant are part of the spill, the mop will absorb
only the oil, which can then be squeezed out and added to used
oil for recycling.
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Brake cleaners
- Consider using less expensive, non-aerosol brake cleaners.
- Learn more about the chemical constituents of brake
cleaners, their potential health effects, and alternative
products.
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Car wash detergents
- Follow dilution instructions to avoid using too much
detergent.
- Seek a vendor who can deliver detergent concentrate to a
bulk storage tank equipped to dispense pre-mixed, ready-to-use
detergent.
- Car wash detergents often contain solvents and harsh acids.
Learn about the chemical constituents of car
wash detergents, their potential health effects, and alternative
products.
- Do not wash vehicles near rivers, streams, or storm drains;
wash vehicles only in areas with drainage to a wastewater treatment
facility.
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Filters
- Consider replacing single-use, disposable air and oil filters with washable, reusable filters that will last the life of the vehicle. Visit the oil filter measurement tool or case studies in NYCWasteLe$$ business to see how others have benefited or you could benefit from investing in reusable oil filters.
- Install a by-pass oil filter to remove smaller particles and extend oil and engine life.
- Establish a contract with a vendor who will collect and recycle drained oil filters.
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