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ECAR Fact Sheet for New Mexico
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
the New Mexico 24-hour emergency hotline at 505-827-9329. For
non-emergencies, call 866-428-6535.
Links
to the Regulations. Use the following links to view the regulations
pertaining to used oil filter management.
Federal
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 used oil filter management procedures.
- 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
- For
more information, contact the New Mexico Environment Department,
Hazardous Waste Bureau at 505-428-2500.
- To
report a spill or leak, call the New Mexico 24-hour emergency
hotline at 505-827-9329. For non-emergencies, call 866-428-6535.
- To
report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the nearest regional office.
Related
ECAR Fact Sheets
- Used
Oil.
- Hazardous
Waste.
Other
Relevant Resources
- New
Mexico – Auto Salvage Guidance Document
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