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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 In the past, the majority of used oil filters were disposed of in landfills. Today, millions of filters are being recycled. Oil filters are usually made from paper, metal and rubber. Used oil filters have value because they can be burned for fuel and the metal components can be recycled. 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.
Draining used oil from your filters can be performed using one of the following methods:
To hot-drain a filter, remove the filter from the engine when the engine is hot. Then keep the filter above 60º F while it drains for 12 hours. You can send oil filters that have been hot-drained to a sanitary landfill for disposal. Collect the oil that drains from the filter and manage it properly as used oil. Used oil filters that are not drained by the above methods are generally considered use oil. 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. Transporters shipping undrained oil filters must have a state transporter’s license and an EPA identification number. 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. Federal EPA Used Oil Management Requirements 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.
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.
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