USED OIL AND USED OIL FILTERS

I.  USED OIL MANAGEMENT

INTRODUCTION

This is a partial out take from a fact sheet that was produced by the Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) to outline requirements for generators and transporters of used oil and used oil filters in California.  For a complete description of those requirements, consult Article 13, Chapter 6.5, Division 20 of the California Health and Safety Code (HSC), commencing with section 25250, and Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Division 4.5, Chapter 29, commencing with section 66279.1 (for used oil), and section 66266.130 (for used oil filters).

Legal Definition of Used Oil

"Used oil means any oil that has been refined from crude oil, or any synthetic oil, that has been used, and, as a result of use or as a consequence of extended storage, or spillage, has been contaminated with physical or chemical impurities."

Used oil includes but is not limited to the following:

1. Used motor oils: Vehicle crankcase oils, Engine lubricating oils, Transmission fluids,    Gearbox and differential oils.

2. Used industrial oils: Hydraulic oils, Compressor oils, Turbine oils, Bearing oils, Gear oils, Transformer (electrical) oils, Refrigeration oils, Metalworking oils, railroad oils.

Used oil does NOT include:

Antifreeze, Brake fluid, other automotive wastes, Fuels (gasoline, diesel, kerosene, etc.), Grease, Solvents, Substances which are not oils, Oils with a flashpoint below 100 F, Oils containing more than 1,000 ppm total halogens unless the rebuttable presumption is rebutted, oils mixed with hazardous waste, Oily wastewaters which are not used oil, Tank bottoms, Used oil processing bottoms, Used oil re-fining distillations bottoms.

II USED OIL FILTER MANAGEMENT

Used oil filters may exhibit hazardous characteristics for lead, other heavy metals and oil-based compounds.  Used oil filters must either be managed as hazardous waste, or in accordance with the requirements of 22 CCR section 66266.130 as outlined in this fact sheet.  DTSC adopted special regulations in 1991 [22 CCR section 66266.130] to encourage recycling of used oil filters and to protect the public health, safety and the environment from potential hazards posed by disposal of used oil filters.  These requirements are directed primarily at non-household generators of used filters, such as businesses and used oil collection centers.  Used oil filters not managed as described in this fact sheet, are required to be managed as a fully regulated hazardous waste.  Disposal of used oil filters in trash cans at sanitary landfills is prohibited.  Fuel filters are not used oil filters.

Draining

Used oil filters are required to be drained of all free-flowing used oil.  "Free-flowing used oil" means a continuous stream of used oil exiting the filter when the filter is inverted.  Used oil exiting drop by drop is not considered to be free-flowing.  If the filter is equipped with a device which impedes the drainage of used oil from the filter, that device must be manipulated to allow the used oil to exit the filter freely.

Used oil filters drained of free-flowing used oil may be punctured, crushed, opened, further drained, or otherwise handled without authorization from the DTSC, for purposes of recycling the filters, provided than any used oil or other residue generated in the course of the activity is properly managed according to 22 CCR Division 4.5.

Containers

1. The drained filters must be contained in rainproof, non-leaking containers with tightly-sealed lids.

2. The container must be labeled "Drained Used Oil Filters" and the initial date of accumulation or receipt marked on each container.  The initial date of accumulation is the date when the first filter is placed in the container, or the date when a full or partially full container of filters is received at a second location.

3. Businesses or public agencies accepting used oil filters from householders must place the filters in containers upon acceptance to capture all used oil that separates from the filters.  Upon reaching a location where proper drainage is practical, the filters must be contained as described above, and any used oil drained from the filters managed in accordance with all applicable requirements.

For more detailed information, please contact the DTSC in Northern California at (916) 324-1826 or in So. Calif. please contact them at (714) 484-5300.

ALL CHEMICAL PRODUCTS MAY BE HAZARDOUS IF IMPROPERLY USED, HANDLED OR STORED. ALWAYS ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE CONSULTED THE LATEST MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS) FOR ANY CHEMICAL PRODUCT BEFORE USING, HANDLING OR STORING A CHEMICAL PRODUCT, AND THAT YOU ARE WEARING AND USING ALL APPROPRIATE SAFETY EQUIPMENT.

THE INFORMATION PRESENTED HEREIN, WHILE NOT GUARANTEED, WAS PREPARED BY TECHNICAL
PERSONNEL AND IS TRUE AND ACCURATE TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE. NO WARRANTY OR
GUARANTEE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, IS MADE REGARDING PERFORMANCE, STABILITY OR OTHERWISE.
THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED TO BE ALL-INCLUSIVE AS THE MANNER AND CONDITIONS OF USE, HANDLING, STORAGE AND OTHER FACTORS MAY INVOLVE OTHER OR ADDITIONAL SAFETY OR
PERFORMANCE CONSIDERATIONS. WHILE OUR TECHNICAL PERSONNEL WILL BE HAPPY TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS REGARDING SAFE HANDLING AND USE PROCEDURES, SAFE HANDLING AND USE REMAINS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CUSTOMER. NO SUGGESTIONS FOR USE ARE INTENDED AS, AND NOTHING HEREIN SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS, A RECOMMENDATION TO INFRINGE ANY EXISTING PATENTS OR TO VIOLATE ANY FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL LAWS.