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Regulations BACK to VIRTUAL TOUR The following fact sheet was prepared by the ECAR Center staff. Once prepared, each ECAR Center fact sheet undergoes a review process with the applicable state environmental agency(ies). You can check on the status of the review process here. Please read the disclaimer on the status page. While we have tried to present a summary of the essential information on this topic, you should be aware that other items, such as local regulations, may apply to you. What You Need to Know When a used oil filter is removed from a vehicle, approximately one pint of oil may remain trapped in the filter. The used oil and sludge that remain in the filter may contain contaminants such as heavy metals that are picked up as the oil circulates through the engine. High concentrations of heavy metals may cause used filters to demonstrate hazardous waste characteristics, making the filters subject to hazardous waste regulations if the filters are not properly drained. To dispose of used oil filters, you need to drain out the used oil thoroughly first. The oil can then be handled with the rest of your used oil (see the ECAR Used Oil Fact Sheet). If correct management procedures are followed, used oil filters can be either recycled or disposed of. However, recycling is the better choice. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has prepared a guidance document to help auto recyclers manage used oil filters. Much of that information is included in the fact sheet below. You can access the link to IDEM's Compliance Manual for Auto Salvage Facilities under Other Relevant Resources. In Indiana, there are several management options for handling used oil filters. The regulations a facility must follow depend on whether the used filters are properly drained and what is subsequently done with them (e.g., recycle, burn, discard.) Hot Draining Filters. Properly hot drained filters are exempt from Indiana's hazardous waste regulations and may be disposed as solid waste. The term "hot drain" means to immediately drain the filter after it is removed from a vehicle that is at or near the engine's operating temperature, while employing some additional means to facilitate draining such as puncturing, crushing, or dismantling. If you choose to hot drain used oil filters, you must:
If you do not hot drain filters, you must determine if the filters demonstrate hazardous waste characteristics. Filters that demonstrate hazardous waste characteristics are considered to be a hazardous waste and must be managed accordingly. Undrained filters may be managed under Indiana's Used Oil Rule if the filters are recycled or burned for energy recovery. Undrained filters that are discarded are subject to all applicable solid and hazardous waste rules. Note that even if a facility's used oil filters are not considered to be a hazardous waste, they still cannot be sent to a landfill because of the restrictions on wastes containing free liquids (liquids that will readily pour). Instead, the filters must be managed under IDEM's solid waste rules and sent to a facility that is capable of handling liquid waste or that can solidify the waste prior to disposal. Large filters, such as those used in heavy-duty vehicles, may be terne-plated. Terne is an alloy of tin and lead, and is used to strengthen the shells of larger oil filters. Terne-plated filters do not share the exemption from the hazardous waste rules when disposed that is provided for properly hot-drained non-terne plated filters. Terne-plated filters are exempt from hazardous waste rules only if they are recycled as a scrap metal. If they are disposed of, they are subject to a hazardous waste determination and, if found hazardous, must be managed in accordance with all applicable hazardous waste requirements. Spill Control. If an oil spill occurs as a result of draining or handling used oil filters, you must perform the following cleanup steps:
Links to the Regulations. Use the following links to view the regulations pertaining to used oil filter management. Indiana Used Oil Management Regulations (Article 13) Indiana Hazardous Waste Regulations When an inspector comes to your facility, there are certain things he or she checks to see if you are in compliance with environmental regulations. It makes good sense for you to perform a "self-audit" and catch and correct problems before they result in penalties. Also, there are some compliance incentives associated with self-audits (see Audit Policy Page). Use the following list to audit your used oil filter management procedures.
Best Management Practices (BMPs) Most regulations tell you what you have to do to be in compliance, but they don't explain how to do it. That's where "best management practices" come into play. BMPs are proven methods that help you to get into compliance and stay there. The following BMPs are recommended for used oil filter management.
Related ECAR Fact Sheets
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