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ECAR Fact Sheet for Louisiana
Used Oil Filters
Regulations
Self-Audit Checklist
Best Management Practices
Contacts
Related ECAR Fact Sheets
Other Relevant Resources
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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
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.
Regulations
Non-terne plated used oil filters are not hazardous waste and can
be disposed of as general refuse if they are properly drained. Terne
is an alloy of tin and lead. Terne-plated filters may be hazardous
waste because of their lead content. If you generate terne-plated
filters, they may be subject to testing and other hazardous
waste determination requirements.
Draining used oil from your filters can be performed using one of
the following methods:
-
Puncturing
the filter anti-drain back valve or the filter dome end and
hot-draining;
-
Hot-draining
and crushing;
-
Dismantling
and hot-draining; or
-
Any
other equivalent hot-draining method which will remove used
oil.
Also,
keep in mind that "hot-drained" means draining the oil
filters at temperatures near the operating temperature of the engine,
not draining at room temperature. A minimum of 12 hours draining
time is required for proper hot-draining. Filters that immediately
drip oil when picked up are not considered drained. *Used oil drained from filters can be combined
with other used oil.
Used
oil filters that are not drained by the above methods must be managed
as hazardous waste. Fuel filters also are considered
hazardous waste and must be managed accordingly.
Disposal. If the above methods have been performed, used oil filters
can be disposed of according to town and county requirements. The drained filters should be placed in covered dumpsters or containers
that prevent rain infiltration. In addition, the dumpsters or containers
should be capable of holding any residual used oil that may escape
from the filter.
Spill
Control. If an oil spill occurs as a result
of draining or handling used oil filters, you must perform the following
cleanup steps:
-
Stop the release;
-
Contain the released used oil;
-
Clean up and properly manage the released used oil and
other materials; and
-
If necessary, repair or replace any leaking used oil
storage containers or tanks prior to returning them to service.
-
Notify DEQ’s 24-hour hotline at 225-342-1234.
Links
to the Regulations.
Use the following links to view the regulations pertaining to used
oil filter management.
Louisiana Used
Oil Management Requirements (Chapter 40)
Federal
EPA Used Oil Management Requirements
Self-Audit Checklist
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
waste oil filter management procedures.
-
Has the waste oil been properly
removed? If proper drainage procedures were followed, waste
oil filters can be disposed of or recycled.
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.
-
Crush or puncture the dome or anti-drain valve and hot
drain the filter.
-
Collect oil from filter crushing and manage it the same
way as engine waste oils.
-
Store drained and crushed filters in a leak-proof container
marked “Used Oil Filters,” until recycled or disposed of.
-
Recycle drained and crushed filters with an oil filter
recycler.
-
Maintain disposal/recycling receipts for at least 3
years.
-
Used oil filters from a CFC refrigerant recovery system
are to be treated as hazardous waste because they contain oil
contaminated with the halogen, chlorine. Therefore, they must
be kept separate from other used oil filters for disposal.
Contacts
- For more information, contact the Louisiana Department
of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Office of Environmental Services
at 225-219-3181.
- To report a spill or leak, call the DEQ’s
24-Hour Notification Hotline at
225-342-1234. You can access notification procedures at the DEQ’s Single
Point of Contact Procedures website.
- To report an environmental incident or complaint,
contact the nearest regional
office.
Related ECAR Fact Sheets
- Used Oil.
- Hazardous Waste.
Other Relevant Resources
-
Louisiana
Used Oil Transporters
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