CAR Environmental Compliance & Sustainability 4

Question 1

A Certified Automotive Recycler notices oily sheen on a storm water retention pond. The immediate required action under the Clean Water Act is to:

Accepted Answer

Report the discharge if it reaches navigable waters and begin containment

Answer

Wait to see if rain dilutes it before reporting

Answer

Add surfactant to break up the sheen

Answer

Pump the pond to a nearby field

Question 2

Catalytic converters salvaged from vehicles are valuable because they contain:

Accepted Answer

Platinum group metals (PGMs) such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium

Answer

Rare earth magnets

Answer

Copper windings and aluminum housing

Answer

Lithium and cobalt compounds

Question 3

When a recycler drains and stores gasoline from fuel tanks, the material is best classified as:

Accepted Answer

Hazardous waste (ignitable) requiring full RCRA compliance

Answer

Used fuel exempt from all regulations

Answer

Universal waste under 40 CFR Part 273

Answer

Solid waste suitable for sanitary landfill

Question 4

Which sustainable practice directly reduces a recycling yard's carbon footprint by diverting materials from primary production?

Accepted Answer

Selling reusable OEM parts to extend component life cycles

Answer

Increasing the number of vehicles crushed per day

Answer

Installing more security lighting on the perimeter

Answer

Expanding paved surfaces to reduce dust

Question 5

A recycler who ships hazardous waste without a manifest may be penalized under RCRA with fines up to:

Accepted Answer

$37,500 per day

Answer

$1,000 per day

Answer

$10,000 per day

Answer

$100,000 per day

Question 6

An ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) certification benefits an automotive recycler primarily by:

Accepted Answer

Providing a framework to identify, control, and reduce environmental impacts

Answer

Eliminating all permit requirements from state agencies

Answer

Allowing unlimited on-site storage of hazardous waste

Answer

Granting exemption from NPDES storm water permits

Question 7

Sodium azide found in unexploded airbag modules is hazardous because it:

Accepted Answer

Releases toxic hydrogen azide gas when exposed to moisture or acid

Answer

Is a known carcinogen when dissolved in oil

Answer

Contains heavy metals exceeding TCLP thresholds

Answer

Is classified as a persistent organic pollutant (POP)