ECAR Fact Sheet for Ohio
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.

Regulations

The State of Ohio does not consider used oil filters to be a hazardous waste if the filters are non terne-plated and the used oil is removed from the filter by one of the following methods:

• Gravity draining – When the filter is removed from the engine, it is placed with its gasket side down in a drain pan. If the filter has an anti-drain valve, the "dome end" of the filter is punctured with a screwdriver so the oil can flow freely. The filter needs to drain 12-24 hours.
• Crushing – The filter is crushed by a mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic device to squeeze out the used oil. The remaining filter material is compacted.
• Disassembly – The filter is separated into its different parts using a mechanical device. Then, metal rubber and paper can be recycled separately.
• Air pressure – The filter is placed into a device where air pressure forces the used oil out of the filter.

Disposal. If one of the above methods has been performed, these used oil filters can be disposed of as nonhazardous solid waste, subject to town and county requirements.

Used oil filters that are not drained by one of the above methods and/or are terne-plated must be managed as hazardous waste. Terne is an alloy of lead and tin. The lead in terne plating can make a used oil filter hazardous. Terne-plated filters are used more commonly with heavy-duty vehicles such as buses and trucks. You cannot throw away any undrained or terne-plated oil filters into trash dumpsters unless you have evaluated the filters first and found them to be nonhazardous.

Also note that even if the filters are nonhazardous, a solid waste landfill will not accept them if they contain free liquids. Because of this, your best option is to drain the used oil filters and send them to a recycling facility. Ohio EPA’s Division of Hazardous Waste Management (DHWM) maintains a list of used oil recyclers and companies that collect used oil filters. To get these lists, contact DHWM at 614-644-2917.

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 Ohio Spill Hotline by calling 1-800-282-9378.

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

Ohio Used Oil Management Standards (Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3745-279)

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.
2. Are the used oil filters terne-plated? Such filters must be determined to be nonhazardous before disposal.

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 until recycled or disposed of.
• Recycle drained or crushed filters with your scrap metals.
• Maintain disposal/recycling receipts for at least 3 years.

Contacts

1. For general questions, contact the Ohio EPA DHWM at 614-644-2917.
2. To report a spill/release or other pollution emergencies, contact the Emergency 24-hour Hotline at 1-800-282-9378.

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

1. Used Oil.
2. Hazardous Waste.

Other Relevant Resources

1. Environmental Compliance Guide for Vehicle Salvage Yards
    

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