ECAR Fact Sheet for Massachusetts
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 waste oil filters, you need to drain out the waste oil thoroughly first.  The oil can then be handled with the rest of your waste oil (see the ECAR Used Oil Fact Sheet). If correct management procedures are followed, waste oil filters can be either recycled or disposed of. However, recycling is the better choice.

Regulations

Non-terne plated waste 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.

Follow these steps when changing oil filters.

1. Remove the filter from the engine while warm and immediately drain free-flowing oil.
2. Put the drained oil in your waste oil drum or tank.
3. Puncture the filter dome. Place the filter on a rack to drain into a waste oil drum or tank for 12 hours. OR…After 12 hours of draining, crush the filter.
4. Store the used filter in a separate, closed metal container that is labeled "Waste Oil Filters."
5. Ship the used filters to a recycler or discard them in a dumpster after 12 hours of draining. Drained filters are not classified as a hazardous waste.

*Oil collected from draining must be managed with your waste oil as a hazardous waste.

Spill Control. If an oil spill occurs as a result of draining or handling waste oil filters, you must perform the following cleanup steps:

1. Stop the release;
2. Contain the released waste oil;
3. Clean up and properly manage the released waste oil and other materials; and
4. If necessary, repair or replace any leaking waste oil storage containers or tanks prior to returning them to service.
5. Notify DEP at 617-338-2255 or 800-462-0444.

Links to the Regulations. Use the following links to view the regulations pertaining to waste oil filter management.

Massachusetts Waste Oil 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.

1. 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 waste 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 "Waste 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.
• Waste 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 waste oil filters for disposal.

Contacts

1. For more information, contact the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection at 617-338-2255 or 800-462-0444, or contact the DEP Regional Service Center near you.
2. To report a spill or leak, call the 24-Hour DEP Emergency Response hotline at 617-556-1133 or 888-304-1133.
3. To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the Environmental Strike Force at 617-556-1000 or 888-VIOLATE (1-888-846-5283).

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

1. Used Oil.
2. Hazardous Waste.

Other Relevant Resources

1. Massachusetts – Waste Oil Regulations for Auto Repair Shops

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