Sharjah bid to reduce impact of toxic waste

As part of its plans to control the wastes generated by such facilities, Sharjah Municipality launched a campaign to increase awareness of owners and workers of these facilities, and guide them on the environment-friendly techniques to minimise the possible impacts of toxic wastes.

Small auto-repair shops and auto-wash centres spread across the emirate. Besides, there are large operations facilities that manage huge fleets of vehicles for big companies. The type of services offered includes basic oil changes to anti-freeze flushing to complex mechanical works.

“These facilities are engaged in services, cleaning, painting, and fluid changing activities, electrical and mechanical repair, among others. They use different kinds of non-degradable organic solvents, cleaners, detergents and oils in their processes, thereby generating significant quantities of liquid wastes, as well as solid wastes,” a source at Sharjah Municipality said.

Due to the use of solvents as cleaning agents as well as dealing with oils, these facilities produce large quantity of toxic fumes, contaminated hazardous liquid and solid wastes, the source added. He pointed out that these solvents include Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) fumes, which are mainly produced during cleaning activities with solvents and oils.

“Garages and car wash establishments comparatively produce more liquid waste than other facilities. Liquid waste generally consists of used solvents, used oils, antifreeze, acids, and oily wastewater contaminated with acidic and alkaline detergents,” he explained.

Speaking about the guidelines that were circulated by the municipality among car wash and oil change establishments, the source added that these facilities should operate under the waste discharge requirement permit issued by the Environment Protection Section of Sharjah Municipality.

“Such permits should also contain requirements for reporting and declaration from the facility owners regarding the oil wastes generated during the process. All used oil must be stored separately and recycled according to the local laws and regulations,” the source said.

He added that wastewater generated during the washing process contains various constituents such as oil, grease, soap, among others. “These wastes must be drained to storage tanks with the help of separate drainage system and must not be mixed with the sewer system,” the source said.

“All used oils and fluids for recycling purposes should be collected and then sold or given to authorised recycling facilities with proper technology and expertise in this trade,” he pointed out.

As for auto mechanical service facilities, he noted that owners should restrict the use of toxic and environment harmful cleaners, like acetones, trichloroethylene, and other toxic based cleaners.

“The generated engine and vehicle fluids should be segregated, collected, and recycled in maximum possible way. These wastes should be disposed legally as required by the law,” the source explained.

“Old vehicle parts from such facilities must be stored inside the facilities in covered sheds to ensure maximum human health, safety, and environment protection,” he noted.

Speaking about the car AC repairing facilities, the source explained that solid wastes generated from fluid change shops and related facilities should be segregated in order to promote recycling.

“Owners of these facilities should implement the procedures relevant to reducing the use of substances depleting the Ozone Layer according to the Vienna Convention and the Protocol and its amendments concerning the substances that deplete the Ozone Layer,” the source explained.