ECAR Fact Sheet for Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) has prepared a guidance document to help auto recyclers manage used oil filters. You can access the link to WDNR’s Used Oil Filter document under Other Relevant Resources.

Regulations

The WDNR recommends that you recycle your used oil filters. This means hot-draining, crushing or dismantling the filters, recycling the used oil and the steel and filter components.

Used oil filters are regulated as solid waste and are exempt from regulation as hazardous waste if they are properly managed and are not terne plated. 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:

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.  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.

Burning for Energy Recovery.  You may manage used oil filters by burning them for energy recovery as long as you comply with all applicable solid and hazardous waste and air management requirements. You will also need written approval from the WDNR’s Waste Management Program if they are hazardous waste. In addition, you may need a permit from the WDNR’s Air Management Program and comply with air quality rules.

Burning Without Energy Recovery. You can dispose of properly hot-drained, crushed or dismantled used oil filters in an incinerator without energy recovery if you meet the following requirements.

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 DNR’s 24-hour hotline at 800-943-0003. 

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

Wisconsin Used Oil Regulations

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 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.

Other Relevant Resources

1. Wisconsin Guidance – Recycling Used Oil Filters
2. Wisconsin’s Auto and Scrap Recycling Website