ECAR Fact Sheet for Vermont
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.

The VT DEC has prepared a guidance document to help auto recyclers manage used oil filters. Much of the information is included in the fact sheet below, or you can access the guidance used oil filters under "Other Relevant Resources."

Regulations

Vermont regulates used oil filters as hazardous waste because they may contain significant amounts of waste oil. The oil, its additives and combustion by-products can contribute to water pollution when released to the environment.

Managing Used Oil Filters. Non-terne plated oil filters can be recycled or disposed as solid waste if they are drained by:

• Crushing;
• Hot-draining and crushing;
• Dismantling and hot-draining;
• Puncturing the filter anti-drain back valve or filter dome end and hot-draining; or
• Any other equivalent hot-draining method that will remove used oil.

Used oil filters that are not drained by one of 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 solid waste. 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:

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. If the spill is more than two gallons or poses a potential or actual threat to human health or the environment, immediately notify the Vermont Waste Management Division at 802-241-3888 (weekdays), or the Department of Public Safety, Emergency Management Division's 24-hour hotline at 800-641-5005.

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

Vermont's 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.

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 back valve and hot drain filters.
• Collect oil from filter crushing and manage the same way as engine waste oils.
• Store drained and crushed filters in a leak proof container until recycled or disposed.
• Recycle properly drained or crushed filters with scrap metals.

Other Relevant Resources

1. Vermont - Used Oil Filter Guidance