ECAR Fact Sheet for Virginia
Used Oil Filters

Regulations
Self-Audit Checklist
Best Management Practices
Contacts
Related ECAR Fact Sheets
Other Relevant Resources

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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

Used oil filters are exempted from state and federal hazardous waste requirements, if they are managed by 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.

*Virginia follows the federal exemption for this provision while some states do not recognize this exemption.

Used oil filters that are not drained by the above methods must be managed as hazardous waste.

Disposal. If the above methods have been performed, used oil filters can be disposed of as nonhazardous solid waste, subject to town and county requirements. However, the most environmentally preferred method of disposal is to recycle these filters. In addition to being subject to solid waste management regulations, they may be managed for scrap metal reclamation.

*Note: Gasoline, diesel, air, transmission or other type filters are NOT included in the used oil filter exclusion. They may be excluded from potential hazardous waste regulation only if being recycled as scrap metal. Otherwise, the generator must determine if they meet a hazardous waste characteristic.

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 DEQ of a spill by calling 1-800-468-8892.

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

Virginia Used Oil Management Standards

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.

1. Has the used oil been properly removed? If proper drainage procedures were followed, used oil filters can be disposed of or recycled.
2. Have other filters been mixed with used oil filters? The hazardous waste exemption applies only to used oil filters, other types of filters may need to be managed as hazardous waste.

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 a 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.