Recycling oil filters
Datetime:2015-03-13 Hits:
Years ago, oil filters were simply trash, and the waste oil from them was a by-product that was burned in a heater or a costly disposable that a recycling company was paid to take away. Those days are over.
Recycling scrap metal and used oil is a big business now. The question is: Are you taking advantage of the value from old oil filters and recycling the metal and used oil?
This is where the purchase of an oil filter crusher — essentially a device that squeezes all of the engine sludge and oil out of a used filter and flattens it at the same time — can be a worthwhile investment.
Yet, some shop owners and shop foremen scoff at environmental regulations because an agent of the government never came through their door and scrutinized their environmental practices. Even small shops are not above being slapped with fines for everything from properly evacuating refrigerant to the treatment of batteries. The way in which the government treats how waste oil is stored and disposed of is no different.
Most shops, however, are careful to follow environmental regulations, but may sometimes be unaware of the numerous regulations that govern the disposal of waste oil and oil filters. Although many states require that used oil filters be drained for a period of 12 to 24 hours, there are shops that drain oil filters for a few seconds and then throw them into the trash. These filters would be considered hazardous waste according to the regulations, so just trashing them is, obviously, improper management.
While you may not have anyone digging through your trash, there is no reason to expose yourself to excess liability. Plus, there are potential financial benefits to the proper disposal of oil filters and waste oil.
