Properly draining fluids not only meets certain protocols, but it is the right thing to the do for the environment and the industry’s quest for a circular economy.
By Brian Bachand
Time and money. Something we auto recyclers weigh in addition to our available resources when determining any course of action. Is the prospective endeavor worth the time and is it worth the cost? What kind of effort will it require and what collateral impact will this decision have on the business? Are there regulations that must be followed in pursuant of this venture? These are some great questions we all ask ourselves on a daily basis.
For some potential business opportunities, the answers are readily available, and the results of these decisions are easily measured in terms of monetary means. When done properly, crushing a load of cars, buying more or newer vehicles at the auction, or revising your core program, are all documented profitable directions we can choose to go in. These prospects can be clearly calculated to determine whether they are worth our efforts. But what about the business undertaking that is not instantly gratifying or is not an easy cash grab? What about an opportunity such as addressing the fluid evacuation process at your facility and maximizing its benefits? This may not be the sexiest of suggestions but let’s pull the cover off on this, look inside and see what we can drain out of it.
New View on Fluid Evacuation: Everyone drains their fluids, so I’m told. A better statement would be, “All auto recyclers drain all of the fluids from all of their vehicles and all of their inventory.” Why is this statement superior? Well besides the “atta boy” I can hope to get from Elizabeth and the team at Vet Environmental Engineering LLC, it is because it is proper protocol. Draining all fluids from each vehicle and each part is the best practice and is the compliant thing to do. This seemingly mundane requirement may not be the fast lane to the Forbes 500 list. However as auto recyclers, the ones who strive to strengthen their stature and resolve within the automotive industry, this is as fundamental as it is foundational to what we are trying to exemplify. The case to solidify and standardize your depollution practices needs to be made.
Society’s perception of wanting to be environmentally focused and friendly is leading to increased regulations, desired transition towards decarbonization and the promotion of circular economic practices. So, why not view this as an opportunity that we can literally capitalize on? We must remain ahead of the curve if we can. Let’s figure out how to continue to put production and pride into our process and procedures. We can profit from compliance, that is juice worth the squeeze. Not only are we doing our part to preserve our environment and better prepare for EPA spot checks, but by doing so we can create different revenue streams. The best part is that this act of compliance is all within our control, we determine the risk. Draining all the fluids affords us a means of conserving capital while pouring more of it into our business. Here’s how.
Let’s figure out how to continue to put production and pride into our process and procedures. We can profit from compliance, that is juice worth the squeeze.
What is Right is Often Not Easy: Why do we drain our fluids? Silly question, right? Couldn’t we save more time and money by just draining the oil and fuel? Do not confuse shortcuts with laziness or streamlining with noncompliance. Oil on the dirt is an unacceptable dust control practice and rainbows belong in the sky, not in puddles on the ground. The point is, auto recyclers should be empowered to do what is right and not what is easy. We spend measured time and money to save and create more of both in the future. We drain fluids from the vehicles to alleviate health, fire and environment hazards and liabilities. Fluids are drained to depollute our vehicles and to keep them stored in an environmentally conscientious state. However, when we look closer at draining the fluids, we can see that Mother Nature and Lady Liberty are not the only beneficiaries of these practices.
We drain the fluids as a part of our depollution and inventory processes: We should not move forward without complete draining. As a part of the inventory process, draining the fluids helps better inspect the state in which our potential usable parts are in. Sometimes this is the tell between a sellable and a scrap part, a grade A unit, and a sellable core, and potentially, what is worth fixing and what is condemned. The time and money saved and potentially earned, only increases with our better attention to detail. Draining fluids properly has the potential to better assess and grade the inventory, and help make pricing decisions and determine markets in which to sell the parts in. By removing all drain plugs and observing the conditions of its contents, we can more efficiently, effectively, and profitably do our jobs. Recyclers can accurately account for the state our parts are in, report them and market them to the best suitable market. We should do the same with the fluids we have drained, and if we have yet to do this, then we need to start thinking in this direction.
Our parts are graded and marketed accordingly, so our fluids should be done the same: If you are not optimizing your good waste oil for heat, or filtering your fuel for your fleet vehicles, then you need to start. These two commodities are literally the lifeblood of our vehicles. They are used to keep these vehicles going and they must be reused to fuel and heat our operations. But just like grading and accurately describing our parts, it is just as imperative that we inventory the contents of these fluids to the best of our abilities. We must make sure we filter, contain, maintain, and keep separate all like fluids and use them for their appropriate designations. Bleeding and cleaning out waste oil burners and blowing up yard cars are not ways to save or make more time and money. Filtering fuel and reusing it in your fleet vehicles saves on the monthly expenses as does heating your buildings with your own waste oil. The time spent draining your vehicles properly saves far more time and money than you may potentially spend on replacing or refunding inadequately inventoried parts, paying noncompliance fines or ever-increasing utility bills, and picking up spills later in the vehicle’s life cycle at your facility.
Selling is the solution: If your operation is not set up for the above processes or you have excess of these fluids, you still can continue to capitalize on this process. Just do what we do best. Sell, sell, sell! Make sure you have the following: Proper collection tools and equipment, correct storage containers and spill kits, complying with proper storage management regulations and proper signage while maintaining the correct SDS sheets (chemical ingredient and warning sheets) for all fluids you have on site. Licensed repair facilities can buy your AC and other fluids, while walk-in and regular customers can purchase filtered washer fluid and antifreeze if it can be tested. Waste oil and fuel can be sold, too, however check with your state and local regulations as to how to follow best practices for fuel sales and transportation.
In summary, always do your research and continue to do what is right over what is easy. Talk to a fellow recycler or reach out to anyone at ARA, your local state chapter, or VET Environmental. All of them will gladly give you some insight as to how to modify your fluid evacuation process and potentially tailor it to your operation’s needs. Software such as Dismantle Pro can track your commodities and help customize your draining protocols. Depollution Supplies and Equipment can be seen at the ARA’s 81st Convention in Reno in October or viewed at the local trade shows and online. Use these tools to make the best decisions as to how to proceed. Pull every drain plug and take off every cover. Drain all your fluids and you can pour these metaphorical golden liquids back into your business to help further fuel and finance its operations. Create your own plan to capitalize on your compliance, and it will prove a program worthy of investing your time and money.
Brian Bachand is a second generation auto recycler, who helps own and operate Westover Auto Salvage in Belchertown, MA. He is on the Board of Directors for the Auto Recyclers Association of MA and a proud ARA Member. Brian has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and paired with almost 25 years of auto recycling experience, will continue to implement ARA Advocacy for being a leader in the auto industry.
