How to Dispose of an Oil filter

Although do-it-yourselfers commonly recycle the waste oil drained from their personal vehicles, they do not know how to properly dispose of old oil filters, which could also be considered to be hazardous waste. This article contains two suggested methods to accomplish these tasks.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Plastic jugs with lids
• Funnel
• Hammer
• Large nail or awl
• Sawdust (optional)

1. Oil Filter Components Modern oil filters have an anti-drain valve incorporated into the filter which is good for the engine, but makes it difficult to drain the filter before disposing of it. Several ounces of oil are trapped inside of each used oil filter, posing a real pollution problem when they deteriorate and release the trapped waste oil into a landfill.
2. Federal guidelines call for used oil filters to be either "hot drained" or else crushed and drained before disposal. Some states have more restrictive requirements. Commercial oil changing outlets such as Jiffy Lube and Pep Boys are required by law to recycle waste oil and oil filters. The larger outlets will usually accept and dispose of both your old oil and oil filters, free of charge.
3. If permitted in your state, you can "hot drain" your own filters as follows. First, change your oil and filter after a 10 minute drive so that the engine is warmed up. Hot oil thins out and will drain faster and more thoroughly.
4. Punctured Filter Drain most of the oil out of the filter by dumping it into your oil collection jug, using a funnel. Then lay the filter on its side and puncture a hole in it about a quarter of an inch from the bottom (see photo) using a hammer and large nail or awl. Then place the filter in a funnel over the jug in a protected area and let it drain for twelve hours, to meet federal standards.
5. Oil and Filter You can dump some sawdust in the filter (optional) to absorb any residual oil, wrap it in a plastic bag, and put it in your trash. The waste oil can then be taken to a commercial garage for recycling.

Tips & Warnings

• Many smaller auto repair shops will gladly take your waste oil to burn in special furnaces they have to heat their shops in winter.
• Use caution when handling hot oil.
• Waste oil is hazardous to your skin with prolonged contact.