Environmental & Used Oil / Waste Disposal Policy

This Policy establishes controls for environmentally responsible handling, storage, collection, recycling, recovery and disposal of used oil, filters, batteries, tyres, contaminated materials, chemical containers and other workshop waste generated through vehicle servicing and repair activities.

This Policy applies to all VahanXpert Services employees, technicians, trainees, contractors and service providers involved in workshop operations that generate, handle, store, transport or dispose of waste.

• Workshop activities should be conducted in a manner that reduces avoidable environmental contamination and waste.
• Waste should be segregated, stored and transferred through appropriate channels.
• Employees shall follow applicable environmental, safety and waste-handling requirements communicated by management.

Waste should be separated according to its nature and handling requirements. Where applicable, categories may include used lubricating oil, oil filters, coolant and other fluids, used batteries, tyres, metal parts, contaminated absorbents/cloth, chemical containers, general recyclable waste and general non-recyclable waste.

• Used oil shall be collected in suitable, leak-resistant and clearly identified containers.
• Used oil shall not be poured onto soil, drains, roads, open ground or ordinary waste bins.
• Containers should remain closed or otherwise protected from contamination and accidental spillage when not being used.
• Used oil shall be transferred only through an appropriate authorised/reputed waste handler or channel, as applicable.

• Spills should be controlled promptly to reduce the risk of soil, drainage or water contamination.
• Suitable absorbent material or spill-control equipment should be used where available.
• Contaminated absorbents should be collected and handled as appropriate waste.
• Material spills or incidents should be reported to the responsible supervisor/management.

Used oil filters, contaminated rags, absorbents and similar materials should be segregated from general waste and stored in designated containers or areas until appropriate collection, recycling or disposal.

• Used batteries should be stored in a secure, designated area protected from avoidable damage and leakage.
• Battery terminals should be handled to reduce the risk of short circuit or accidental contact.
• Used batteries should be returned, recycled or disposed of through an appropriate authorised/reputed channel, as applicable.
• Battery handling shall also follow applicable workshop safety procedures.

Used tyres should be segregated from general waste and stored in a manner that reduces fire, obstruction and environmental risks. Where feasible, they should be transferred through an appropriate recycling, retreading or authorised disposal channel.

Scrap metal and removed vehicle parts should be segregated where practical. Parts subject to Customer handover, warranty inspection, insurance requirements or dispute resolution should not be discarded until the applicable requirement has been completed.

• Used coolant, brake fluid and other automotive fluids should not be discharged into drains, soil or general waste.
• Such fluids should be collected in suitable labelled containers and handled through an appropriate disposal/recovery channel.
• Different waste liquids should not be mixed where mixing could create a safety, handling or disposal problem.

Containers that have held oils, chemicals, solvents or other workshop substances should be handled according to their contents and residual contamination. They should not be reused for food, drinking water or unrelated personal use.

• Paper, cardboard, packaging and other recyclable material should be separated where practicable.
• General waste should be placed in designated bins.
• Waste accumulation should not obstruct vehicle movement, emergency exits, fire equipment or work areas.

• Waste storage areas should be clearly identified and kept orderly.
• Containers should be suitable for the waste type and maintained in serviceable condition.
• Waste should be protected from avoidable leakage, rainwater exposure, ignition sources and unauthorised access.

Waste should be handed over to an appropriate recycler, authorised/reputed waste handler, supplier take-back programme or other suitable channel, depending on the waste type and applicable requirements. Where records are available, collection or handover details should be retained.

• Where appropriate, records may include waste type, approximate quantity, date of collection, receiving party, invoice/receipt and relevant supporting documentation.
• Records relating to used oil, batteries or other regulated waste should be maintained where required by applicable requirements or business controls.
• Waste records may be reviewed during internal inspections.

Any significant spill, leakage, improper disposal, fire involving waste, suspected environmental contamination or other material environmental incident should be reported promptly to management and handled through the applicable incident response process.

Waste containing oil, solvents, contaminated cloth or other combustible materials should be kept away from ignition sources. Emergency response and fire safety shall follow the applicable Workshop Health, Safety & Fire Prevention and Emergency Response requirements.

• Segregate waste correctly.
• Use designated containers and storage areas.
• Do not pour used oil or automotive fluids into drains or onto open ground.
• Report leaks, spills, damaged containers or unsafe waste accumulation.
• Follow supervisor instructions and workshop safety procedures.

Where an external waste handler or recycler is engaged, VahanXpert Services should use an appropriate service provider and retain available transaction or collection records. Contractors entering the workshop must follow applicable safety and access requirements.

Relevant personnel should receive basic instructions on waste segregation, used oil handling, spill prevention, storage and emergency reporting. Additional training may be provided for personnel handling higher-risk materials.

• Work areas should be kept reasonably clean and free from avoidable oil, chemical and waste accumulation.
• Drainage systems should be protected from preventable contamination.
• Waste bins and containers should be emptied or transferred before unsafe accumulation occurs.

• Dumping used oil, coolant, brake fluid or other workshop fluids onto soil or into drains.
• Burning waste or used oil in an unauthorised manner.
• Mixing incompatible wastes where it creates a safety or disposal risk.
• Discarding Customer/warranty/insurance-sensitive removed parts before applicable requirements are completed.
• Allowing waste to create a foreseeable fire, spill, obstruction or contamination hazard.

Where suppliers offer take-back, recycling or return programmes for batteries, tyres, lubricants, containers or other products, VahanXpert Services may use such programmes where appropriate. Vendor management shall follow the Vendor & Supplier Management Policy.

The workshop may periodically review waste generation, segregation practices, spills, collection arrangements and opportunities to reduce avoidable waste. This Policy may be updated based on operational experience, environmental requirements and applicable legal/business requirements.