Waste industry professionals can ensure they have a positive impact on the environments in which their clientele live and work on a daily basis when they select bio-based hydraulic fluids, greases and other lubricants.
Peter Haines
The waste industry continues to be a pacesetter in regards to environmental stewardship, with many organizations having converted some or all of their fleets to clean burning natural gas engine technologies. The net result is a significantly reduced environmental impact from these power units due to a capital equipment investment proven to lower carbon and NOx emissions. With refuse fleets operating in both urban and rural settings, the health and well-being benefits to citizens in the operating areas of these progressive fleets are notable indeed.
Refuse fleets are known for operating in a number of different areas and terrains, including near waterways and certainly over soil. The potential damage to the environment as a result of an inadvertent lubricant leak, which could potentially impact both water and soil quality, suggests that refuse equipment owners/operators consider additional pro-environmental steps in regard to their overall maintenance program.
A lubrication strategy to minimize the risks associated with potential environmental exposure is to integrate the use of readily biodegradable, minimally toxic, non bio-accumulative lubricants into fleet operations. This is particularly important when considering hydraulic fluid and grease options, as these lubricants have the greatest potential for accidental release into our environment because of the grueling stop and go driving, intermittent highway driving, and even some off-road driving at the physical dump site that a refuse fleet encounters. This daily occurrence is tough on equipment and componentry and the potential for lubricant leaks is high, which makes the advantages of integrating the use of high performing bio-based lubricants quite compelling.
Potential Damage
Hydraulic systems have a particularly high risk of potential physical damage due to the exposed hoses of the system, and the likelihood of a busted hose resulting in a hydraulic oil spill is extremely high. Bearings, U-joints and other grease-lubricated applications also have the potential of releasing lubricant into the environment.
The monetary ramifications of an unintentional lubricant spill could be costly fines or expensive cleanup costs due to environmental damage, not to mention the negative impact a spill could have on an organization鈥檚 brand and reputation. A conversion to readily biodegradable, minimally toxic and non-bioaccumulative lubricants is easily done, with no changes to established PM programs, and absolutely no decrease in lubricant performance when used in accordance with manufacturer recommendations. A conversion to bio-based lubricants is a viable alternative available to refuse haulers to help mitigate the negative impacts resulting from an inadvertent release of conventional petroleum and synthetic lubricants to the environment.
Once the value of converting to a hydraulic oil, grease or other lubricant that performs in service and also eliminates or minimizes the negative monetary and environmental effects of an unintended release is realized, the process of choosing a viable option can be intimidating due to a lack of insight into the proper selection for these types of lubricants. By using the criteria outlined below, you can determine which lubricant will adequately minimize the impact of an accidental release to the environment and at the same time perform adequately in service.
Performance Selection Criteria
With the global biodegradable lubricants market projected to reach $2.1B in 2014 (1)(2)(3) and bio-based lubricant growth outpacing synthetic lubricant growth (1)(2)(3), the use of bio-based lubricants continues to expand. This clearly demonstrates that the in-service performance attributes of modern bio-based lubricant technologies have been established and proven in the field. Bio-based hydraulic fluid selection criteria or benchmarks might include those indicated in Table 1. On the other hand, grease selection criteria or benchmarks might include those indicated in Table 2.
Environmental Selection Criteria
Lubricants that can serve as operational 鈥榬isk mitigation insurance鈥� should offer base features that differentiate their environmental attributes, thereby easing the burden of waste hauler lubricant selection for environmental benefits.
It is important to point out that many lubricant marketers claiming their products are 鈥榚nvironmentally friendly鈥� actually have very little basis for making this claim. There is no Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)鈥攐r other environmental organization 鈥� support or regulation regarding the use of the phrase 鈥榚nvironmentally friendly鈥�. The catch phrase is often just marketing hype based on a single irrelevant product attribute. Consideration should be given to using lubricants that meet the EPA criteria for being readily biodegradable, meaning >60 percent of the lubricant will biodegrade in 28 days or less. They should also be minimally toxic and non-bioaccumulative to soil or water species, which subsequently minimizes toxicological and environmental impacts on higher life forms, including people.
On 12-19-13, the EPA published a revision to its Vessel General Permit (VGP) where it mandated the use of Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) in all applications where the potential exists for an oil-to-water interface unless it is deemed technically infeasible to do so. This permitting process is applicable to vessels >79鈥� in length operating in salt and/or freshwater. While adopting this mandate revision, the EPA was careful to define standards that would guide manufacturers and marketers in claiming their products as EALs and to aid end users in selecting approved lubricants suitable for use in these critical marine applications. Since marine vessels have a direct impact on water and soil quality, one can reason that lubricants meeting these defined environmental standards can also serve as a benchmark or selection criteria for choosing lubricants within the waste industry that actually meet EPA definitions for environmental stewardship. To achieve this level of eco-sensitivity, equipment owners and operators should seek lubricants labeled as EALs that meet the following clearly defined EPA test standards for environmental quality (see Table 3).
Interestingly enough, the EPA is also poised to introduce the Small Vessel General Permit (sVGP), effective 12-19-17, making the same general permitting process mandate applicable to vessels <79鈥� in length, and thereby applying to dredges, tugboats, commercial fishing vessels, diving operations, etc. Both permitting mandates are being put into place to provide lubricant users operating in marine environments guidance and direction on using lubricants that are proven to minimize the environmental impact to both water and soil microbial life, as well as and higher life forms up the food chain.
A Positive Impact
Waste industry professionals can ensure they have a positive impact on the environments in which their clientele live and work on a daily basis when they use the above basic performance and environmental criteria as benchmarks in selecting hydraulic fluids, greases and other lubricants with the potential for release into the environment. By partnering with a reputable bio-based lubricants supplier that has a proven track record of supplying high performing products, refuse fleet owners/operators can also be sure they are choosing lubricants that protect their costly capital equipment investments, while at the same time expanding their already significant environmental accomplishments.
Peter Haines is the Vice President of Business Development with BioBlend Renewable Resources, LLC (Elk Grove Village, IL). BioBlend has more than 14 years of global business experience manufacturing and marketing biodegradable natural and synthetic ester lubricant technologies. Peter is a Chemical Engineer with over 30 years of petroleum and synthetic lubricants experience in industries ranging from waste, construction, mining, marine, fleets, power sports and heavy industrial/commercial business. He can be reached at [email protected].
References
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- Research and Markets; May 21, 2014 Lube Report – Volume 14 Issue 21.
- Grand View Research; May 21, 2014 Lube Report – Volume 14 Issue 21.
- Freedonia Group; Sept 10, 2014 Lube Report 鈥� Volume 14 Issue 37.
Table 1
Bio-based hydraulic fluid selection criteria.
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Table 2
Bio-based grease selection criteria.
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Table 3
Current EPA recognized test criteria to classify a lubricant as an EAL.
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Tables courtesy of BioBlend Renewable Resources, LLC.
Sidebar
Case Study: Enhancing Green and Sustainability Initiatives
As a third generation family business headquartered in Londonderry, MA, the Charles George Companies has seen the trash removal industry evolve as the concerns for the environment have grown. Operating as a full-service waste stream management company for customers throughout New England, they provide an array of solid waste disposal and recycling solutions designed to protect the environment. With their vast experience, effective techniques and deep commitment to the planet, it鈥檚 not surprising to learn that they not only offer their customers green and sustainable solutions designed to dramatically lessen any adverse impact on the environment, but practice what they preach.
As a full-service waste stream management company, Michael Karras, Co-President of Charles George Company Inc., made the decision to offer its customers green and sustainable solutions designed to dramatically lessen any adverse impact on the environment. 鈥淲e looked for a hydraulic oil that was able to aid us in our social responsibility to protect the environment, as well as meet the high demands of our equipment and fleet. 听BioBlend has met the challenge and we could not be happier with the results.鈥�
The Charles George Companies uses BioBlend BioFlo AW 32 Biodegradable Hydraulic Fluid. They are serviced by BioBlend distributor Dennis K. Burke, Inc., a progressive family-owned business headquartered in Chelsea, Massachusetts that has been delivering premium fuel and lubricant products for over 50 years. Currently running operations in seven New England states, DKB recognizes the importance of bio-lube proliferation in the refuse industry, and other markets, servicing clientele like Harvard University, Fore River Dock & Dredge and other operations interested in enhancing their green and sustainability initiatives.