Oil Filters
Non-Terne Plated Filters:
- Oil filters must be gravity drained at or above 60o F
- The filters should be drained by puncturing the anti-drain back valve or filter dome.
- The filters must be drained into an appropriate “Used Oil” collection container for a minimum of 12 hours
- Once the filter has drained for 12 hours it will be discarded into the scrap metal waste stream.
EHSS will remove the used oil container for disposal once it has reached its capacity.
Terne Plated Filters:
- Terne filters must be collected for disposal in an appropriate hazardous waste collection container.
- The container must be properly labeled and stored as a hazardous waste while the waste is accumulating in the SAA.
EHSS will remove the container for disposal once it has reached its capacity.
The EPA regulations state in 40 CFR 261.4(b) (13) that:
(13) Non-terne plated used oil filters that are not mixed with wastes listed in subpart D of this part if these oil filters have been gravity hot-drained using one of the following methods:
(i) Puncturing the filter anti-drain back valve or the filter dome end and hot- draining:
(ii) Hot-draining and crushing:
(iii) Dismantling and hot-draining; or
(iv) Any other equivalent hot-draining method that will remove used oil
The EPA defines “hot draining” as the filter being drained near engine operating temperature. The EPA approximates “hot draining” to be 60o F. The EPA also recommends that the filters be drained for twelve (12) hours prior to disposal or “to the extent possible such that there are no visible signs of free-flowing oil.”
This exclusion is limited only to “non-terne” filters. “Terne” filters are an alloy of lead and tin and are typically found on heavy machinery and trucks. Terne filters would carry a Hazardous Waste Code of D008 (characteristic code for lead) and as such must be treated as a Hazardous Waste. The generator must determine if the filter used are “terne” or “non-terne” and any determination should be kept on record. These records should be readily available for regulatory review.
Used Oil
- Must be collected in a suitable container, which is in good condition.
- The container must be stored in secondary containment and the containment must be large enough to contain 110% of the contents of the largest container.
- The container must be stored closed except when waste is being added or removed.
- The container must be properly labeled with a University approved “Used Oil” label.
If there are any suspected hazardous contaminants in the oil, the label should be marked with possible hazardous contaminants. - If the oil is a hazardous waste, it must be managed in accordance to hazardous waste regulations.
- EHSS will make final waste determinations based upon analytical results and process review.
- EHSS will remove the container once it has reached its capacity.
Used Oil is managed under 40 CFR Part 279.22 which states:
Used oil generators are subject to all applicable Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (40 CFR part 112) in addition to the requirements of this Subpart. Used oil generators are also subject to the Underground Storage Tank (40 CFR part 280) standards for used oil stored in underground tanks whether or not the used oil exhibits any characteristics of hazardous waste, in addition to the requirements of this subpart.
(a) Storage Units. Used oil generators shall not store used oil in units other than tanks, containers, or units subject to regulation under parts 264 or 265 of this chapter.
(b) Condition of units. Containers and aboveground tanks used to store used oil at generators facilities must be:
(1) In good condition (no severe rusting, apparent structural defects or deterioration); and
(2) Not leaking (no visible leaks).
(c) Labels
(1) Containers and aboveground tanks used to store used oil at generator facilities must be labeled or marked clearly with the words “Used Oil.”
(2) Fill pipes used to transfer used oil into underground storage tanks at generator facilities must be labeled or marked clearly with the words “Used Oil.”
(d) Response to releases. Upon detection of a release of used oil to the environment that is not subject to the requirements of part 280, subpart F of this chapter and which has occurred after the effective date of the recycled used oil management program in effect in the State in which the release is located, a generator must perform the following cleanup steps:
- Stop the release;
- Contain the released used oil;
- Clean up and manage properly the release 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.
Oily Debris
- Must be collected in a suitable container, which is in good condition. No evidence of dents, corrosion, weakness or holes.
- The material may be bagged first in order to facilitate removal from the collection container.
- The container must be stored in secondary containment and the containment must be large enough to contain 110% of the contents of the largest container.
- The container must be stored closed except when waste is being added or removed.
- The container must be properly labeled with a University approved “Oily Debris” label.
- EHSS must be contacted if there are any suspected hazardous contaminants in the oily debris. The label should be marked with any possible hazardous contaminants.
- If the oily debris is a hazardous waste, it must be managed in accordance to hazardous waste regulations.
- EHSS will make final waste determinations based upon analytical results and process review.
- EHSS will remove the contents of the container for disposal once it has reached its capacity.
The EPA does not regulate oily rags as a waste as long as the rags do not have any free-flowing oil, are free of any other hazardous contaminant and do not meet the definition of a characteristic hazardous waste. Rags, which contain free-flowing liquid, must be treated as used oil products. Rags, which contain hazardous contaminants or meet the definition of a characteristic waste, must be handled as hazardous waste.
The same would be true for other means of oil contaminated debris. This would include materials such as sorbent pads and oil dry. The generator should collect these materials for disposal in order to alleviate any concerns regarding environmental compliance. The best solution for oily rags is to have them collected, cleaned and reused using a laundry service.
Note: Rags, which are collected and managed through a laundry service, are exempt from these protocols.