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ECAR Fact Sheet for Oregon
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
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality recommends that used
oil filters be recycled for their scrap metal value when recycling
is reasonably available. Used oil filters with the oil removed are
exempt from being a hazardous waste
when recycled for their scrap metal value.
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.
Disposal. Used
oil filters are exempt from being a hazardous waste when they are properly processed before disposal as a solid waste.
This exemption does not apply to "terne plated" used oil
filters. Terne plating is an alloy of lead and tin commonly used
on larger truck oil filters.
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 DEQ’s 24-hour hotline at 800-452-0311.
Links
to the Regulations.
Use the following links to view the regulations pertaining to used
oil filter management.
Oregon
Used Oil Management Regulations (Division 111)
Federal
EPA 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 Oregon Department
of Environmental Quality (DEQ) at 503-229-5696
or 800-452-4011 (toll-free in Oregon).
- To report a spill or leak, contact the Oregon Emergency Response System (OERS) at 800-452-0311.
- To report an environmental incident or complaint,
contact the nearest DEQ Regional Office.
Related
ECAR Fact Sheets
- Used Oil.
- Hazardous Waste.
Other
Relevant Resources
- Oregon
Used Oil Website
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