Cleaner coolant, measurable waste reduction.
Coolant recycling can reduce new-fluid consumption and the volume of spent coolant sent for disposal. Facility records can track those changes alongside the waste determinations, exposure assessments, and management practices required for the operation.
- Up to 90%
- reduction in disposal cost, on the C.R.O.S.S.
- 99.75%
- of tramp oil and particulate removed by volume
- Measured
- fluid purchases and disposal volumes
- Up to 85%
- reduction in new fluid purchases
What recycling changes for your plant
Longer coolant life can mean less new fluid purchased and less spent coolant sent for disposal.
What recycling delivers
- Lower disposal volume. Extending coolant life reduces the amount of spent fluid generated and can lower hauling and disposal costs.
- Contaminant control. Removing tramp oil and particulate helps maintain coolant condition and reduces the contamination that contributes to odor, bacterial growth, and premature disposal.
- Measurable results. Purchasing records, disposal invoices, fluid tests, and system operating data provide a practical basis for tracking improvement.
Program responsibilities remain defined
- Facility-specific waste determination. Each facility remains responsible for determining whether its spent coolant is hazardous and for counting all applicable hazardous waste generated during the month.
- Consistent records. Track coolant purchases, disposal volume, hauler documentation, fluid condition, and system service using the same reporting periods.
- Exposure controls remain essential. Coolant condition is one part of a program that can also include enclosures, ventilation, work practices, sampling, and protective equipment.
Monthly hazardous-waste quantity determines the category
Federal generator categories are based on the total quantity of hazardous waste generated during a calendar month. Reducing a hazardous spent-coolant stream may affect that total, but only after the facility completes its waste determination and counts all applicable hazardous waste. State requirements can differ.
| Code | Generator category and definition | Monthly threshold |
|---|---|---|
Large Quantity GeneratorFederal non-acute hazardous-waste threshold 1,000 kg or more of non-acute hazardous waste per month, or the applicable federal threshold for acute hazardous waste or acute spill residue. Large Quantity Generators are subject to the federal requirements for that category. | ≥1,000 kg/mo Federal LQG threshold | |
Small Quantity GeneratorFederal non-acute hazardous-waste threshold More than 100 kg and less than 1,000 kg of non-acute hazardous waste per month, subject to the separate federal thresholds for acute hazardous waste and acute spill residue. | 100–1,000 kg/mo Federal SQG range | |
Very Small Quantity GeneratorFederal non-acute hazardous-waste threshold 100 kg or less of non-acute hazardous waste per month, subject to separate federal limits for acute hazardous waste, acute spill residue, and on-site accumulation. | ≤100 kg/mo Federal VSQG threshold |
Apply the thresholds to the facility's complete waste profile. Reducing one hazardous waste stream can lower the monthly total, but generator status and applicable requirements depend on all counted hazardous waste and the rules in the facility's jurisdiction.
Coolant management within the facility compliance program
Coolant condition, worker exposure, waste characterization, and facility management systems are related but separate responsibilities. Review the regulatory framework and source references on the sustainability page.
- Worker exposure
Mist evaluation and controls
OSHA addresses applicable metalworking-fluid exposures through air-contaminant standards. Facilities must evaluate exposure and use the engineering, work-practice, administrative, and protective controls required for their operation.
- Hazardous waste
RCRA determination
Spent coolant is not automatically hazardous waste. The facility must determine whether the waste is listed or exhibits a hazardous characteristic and manage it under the applicable federal and state requirements.
- Management systems
ISO 14001 & 45001
ISO 14001 provides a framework for environmental management, while ISO 45001 provides a framework for occupational health and safety. Each organization determines how coolant use, waste, and exposure relate to its aspects, hazards, objectives, and controls.
- California overlay
SCAQMD Rule 1144
Plants in the South Coast district around Los Angeles carry an additional overlay on metalworking-fluid composition and emissions under South Coast AQMD Rule 1144. It adds to the federal framework rather than replacing it.
Contaminant control supports a broader exposure program
Maintaining coolant condition can reduce sources of odor and fluid degradation. Exposure assessment and control still require the facility's established industrial-hygiene, ventilation, work-practice, and protective-equipment measures.
- Skin contact
Control fluid contact
Metalworking-fluid contact can contribute to irritant or allergic dermatitis. Fluid maintenance should be combined with appropriate work practices, guarding, and protective equipment.
- Respiratory
Evaluate machining mist
Metalworking-fluid mist can affect respiratory health. Machine enclosures, local exhaust ventilation, sampling, and other exposure controls remain essential.
- Odor and bacteria
Remove contamination that supports growth
Free oil, mechanically dispersed oil, and suspended solids support bacterial growth. Filtration and oil separation remove these contaminants, while optional ozone treatment provides automated bacteria control.
- Integrated program
Combine fluid and exposure controls
Coolant filtration is one part of a complete program that includes chemistry control, housekeeping, ventilation, work practices, sampling, and employee protection.
Equipment, application engineering, and operating information
EdjeTech supplies coolant filtration and recycling equipment, application guidance, and product operating information. The facility remains responsible for its environmental, health, safety, testing, and recordkeeping programs.
- 01
The equipment
The systems that recycle and filter the fluid, sized and deployed for your plant.
- 02
The engineering
Sizing and deployment advice from an engineer who stays reachable after the sale.
- 03
Product information
System specifications, operating information, and available performance data for the selected equipment.
Spent-coolant management and regulatory questions
What does OSHA require for metalworking-fluid exposure?+
How do I know if my spent coolant is RCRA hazardous waste?+
Does recycling actually reduce my hazardous-waste manifests?+
Can I cite EdjeTech equipment in my ISO 14001 aspects register?+
What documentation can EdjeTech provide for an audit?+
Reduce coolant entering your waste stream
Recover usable coolant and reduce the volume of spent fluid your facility sends for disposal.
- Equipment guidance
Talk to an engineer
Clarify recovered fluid and residual waste streams for your reduction plan.
Talk to an engineer → - Savings estimate
Savings calculator
Enter your disposal cost and gallons to estimate the potential reduction.
Estimate potential savings → - The equipment
C.R.O.S.S.
Review system performance, functions, specifications, and configuration options.
View C.R.O.S.S. →