Environmental laws in CONNECTICUT

The state of Connecticut like all others has its set of environmental laws. The environmental regulations are administered by the Department of Environment Protection.

Natural Resources

Connecticut boasts a diverse collection of plant and animal life. Naturally therefore, laws had to be enacted to protect them. The natural elements housed in the significant natural features of Connecticut facilitate recreational opportunities. Significant natural features of Connecticut include: Long Island Sound, Litchfield Hills, and the Connecticut River Valley. These areas and the natural elements that they house are protected by the environmental laws of Connecticut.

Waste fuel

The flammable nature of waste fuel causes it to be classified as hazardous waste. It has to be treated in accordance with hazardous waste rules when being disposed. It should be noted that when waste fuel is recycled, or reused as fuel, it is not considered hazardous waste. The rules governing treatment of waste fuel can be found on the ECAR hazardous waste fact sheet.

Reusable Fuel

The laws of Connecticut require that reusable fuel be stored in suitable containers. These containers should be labeled and are restricted to being used in company or employees’ vehicles. Fuel that is categorized as waste on the other hand, should be stored in containers approved by DOT criteria. These containers should have no serious rusting, no bulges or dents and no detectable leaks.

Waste Fuel Storage

There is a limit on the number of days that waste fuel can legally be stored on private property in Connecticut. The limit is 180 days. Additionally, the waste fuel is to be kept at a location that is no less than 50 feet from the boundaries of the property.

When transporting, combining waste fuel with other streams of waste is prohibited if permission has not been given by the hauler. There must be written proof of this permission.

SPCC Plan

The storage of waste fuel in outdoor locations should be targeted in the entity’s Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure plan. This plan called SPCC plan is a requirement of all auto recycling plants in Connecticut.

Air Pollution

Many auto recyclers use vehicle crushers. These equipment have the potential to contribute to air pollution. The use of crushers that use fuel burning engines is restricted. A permit is required and there may be other legal requirements because of the possibility of the emission of harmful fumes.

In vehicle crushing activities the issue of major concern is usually the potential for seepage of hazardous liquids into the earth or water sources. Operators are also required by law to ensure that when they store the waste fluid leaked out during vehicle crushing, it is kept safely so that storm waters do not affect it.

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