ECAR Fact Sheet for North Dakota
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.

The North Dakota Department of Health, Division of Waste Management (the Department) 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 used oil filter guidance link under Other Relevant Resources.

Regulations

In North Dakota, non-terne plated used oil filters are exempt from regulation as hazardous waste, provided the used oil filters are properly drained before subsequent management.

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, including centrifuging (spinning) and wringing.

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.

*The Department has seen facilities that do a combination of the above methods to ensure recovery of the maximum amount of used oil possible. Some studies have shown that filters that are tilted between 30 and 60 degrees from vertical will drain significantly more used oil than those drained in a vertical position. Some facilities have constructed drain pans with tilted pins to place filters on when draining.

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. Recycling is the recommended option for managing used oil filters. Some recyclers require that used oil filters be managed in a particular way in order to be acceptable scrap. The cleanest scrap comes from dismantled filters though this method requires some extra work on the generators part. Other recyclers want only crushed filters. In order to find a willing recycler, you must be prepared to meet their requirements.

If a recycler cannot be found or if you have used paper filters, properly drained used oil filters may be disposed in a permitted municipal or industrial waste landfill contingent upon approval by the local landfill authority. Some landfills may not accept properly drained used oil filters. In such a case, the filters must be either recycled or sent to an industrial waste landfill.

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

1. Stop the release;
2. Contain the released used oil;
3. Clean up and properly manage the released used oil and other materials; and
4. If necessary, repair or replace any leaking used oil storage containers or tanks prior to returning them to service.
5. Notify the Division of Emergency Management's 24-hour number at 800-472-2121.

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

North Dakota's Used Oil Regulations (33-24-05-600 through 689)

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 used oil filter management procedures.

1. Has the used oil been properly removed? If proper drainage procedures were followed, used 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

1. For more information, contact the North Dakota Department of Health,
   Environmental Health Section Division of Waste Management at 701-328-5166.
2. To report a spill or leak, call the Division of Emergency Management’s 24-hour number at
   800-472-2121, or 800-773-3259 (normal business hours), and if necessary, the National Response Center at 800-424-8802. For calls originating outside of North Dakota, call
   701-328-8100 (normal business hours), or 701-328-9921 (weekends and non-business hours).
3. To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the Division of Waste Management or file an online incident report.

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

1. Used Oil.
2. Hazardous Waste.

Other Relevant Resources

1. North Dakota - Management of Used Oil Filters
2. North Dakota's Used Oil Management Guidance
3. North Dakota's Hazardous Waste Compliance Guide
4. North Dakota - Automotive Fluids Use, Storage & Disposal

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