Oil Filters: What This Means For You

INDUSTRIAL WASTE RESOURCE GUIDELINES — CLASSIFICATION FOR REUSE
OIL FILTERS
CONTENTS WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU

INTRODUCTION ................................................................. 1 EPA recognises that different regions across Victoria
IMPLEMENTATION............................................................. 1 will have varying capacities to meet these
requirements. Please search the Industrial Waste
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU ............................................. 1 Database to find businesses that can transport or
FURTHER INFORMATION ...................................................2 receive oil filters:
www.epa.vic.gov.au/waste/iwdb/default.asp or
contact EPA for more information.
INTRODUCTION Generators:
To achieve the best environmental outcome, used oil • must prepare used oil filters for recycling by
filters have been classified by EPA because there are draining them and then segregating them by type
recycling opportunities for the waste oil, metal filter and size.
casing, and cardboard filter materials. • must have an approved EPA transporter collect
Used oil filters are predominantly automotive filters them.
generated by the motor vehicle repair and service Transporters:
industry and from domestic ‘do-it-yourself’ vehicle
• must transport these wastes in permitted vehicles
servicing. Used oil filters also come from other
and ensure that the waste is properly contained
vehicles and equipment, such as lawn mowers, earth-
and handled to prevent any leaks
moving equipment and motorcycles. Only used oil
filters from industrial sources are considered under • must transport waste to a licensed facility, or one
this classification. that has an exemption or notification issued by
EPA, to undertake recycling of used oil filters
Disposal of liquid wastes to any type of landfill is
• may apply to EPA for exemption from the
prohibited in Victoria. Given the significant amount of
requirement to use transport certificates.
waste oil remaining in a drained filter (around 30 per
cent by weight), used oil filters are not permitted to be Receivers:
disposed to any landfill. • must undertake recycling of used oil filters
• must gain a works approval from EPA and be
IMPLEMENTATION licensed, or have an exemption or notification
In Victoria, oil filters can be recycled by separating the issued by EPA, for the recycling of used oil filters.
oil from the metal casing and sending both the metal
and oil to recyclers to be made into new products. General
Used oil filters must be cleaned prior to recycling. Used oil filters must be managed in accordance with
They are considered clean if they do not contain free the classification, the requirements of the
oil. The removal of oil is generally achieved through a Environment Protection Act 1970, and the
combination of draining, crushing, pressing, Environment Protection (Industrial Waste Resource)
puncturing, dismantling, shredding and washing. Regulations 2009.
Other processes may be used to achieve an equivalent
outcome.
Filters that are only drained and/or crushed using a
low pressure crusher generally have free oil and
produce scrap metal of inconsistent quality that is
considered unsuitable for metal recycling. Further
processing, such as washing or high-pressure crushing
to remove oil, will be necessary to ensure appropriate
recycling rates.
This guidance forms part of the Industrial Waste Resource Guidelines (IWRG), which offer guidance for wastes and resources regulated
under the Environment Protection (Industrial Waste Resource) Regulations 2009 (the Regulations). Publication IWRG423 — June 2009.
1
OIL FILTERS — CLASSIFICATION FOR REUSE
FURTHER INFORMATION
Government Gazette No. G14, 5 April 2007: Prescribed Industrial Waste Classification.
Environment Protection Act 1970

ACT NO. 8056/1970
Industrial waste management policy (Prescribed Industrial Waste)
No. G14, 5 April 2007

Prescribed Industrial Waste Classification
1. For the purpose of clause 11(1) and in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Industrial waste management policy (Prescribed Industrial
Waste) the Authority hereby classifies used oil filters as having currently available1 opportunities for recycling in the State of
Victoria.
2. The classification applies to used oil filters, prescribed as ‘waste oils unfit for their original intended use’ in Part B Schedule 1 of
the Environment Protection (Prescribed Waste) Regulations 1998.
3. For the purposes of this classification, a used oil filter is a filter that has been used to remove debris from the lubricating oil in an
engine. The filter is a paper or synthetic media that is contained in a steel enclosure. Only those used oil filters from industrial
sources are classified as prescribed industrial waste under the Environment Protection (Prescribed Waste) Regulations 1998.
4. This classification will come into effect on 1 July 2007.
1 Currently available: The prescribed industrial waste has potential for reuse, recycling or recovery of energy and such reuse,
recycling or recovery of energy is practicable. This means that the facilities required to realise this potential are available in the
State of Victoria, or elsewhere in Australia in a location practicably accessible.

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INDUSTRIAL WASTE RESOURCE GUIDELINES — CLASSIFICATION FOR REUSE

CONTENTS WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU

Environment Protection Act 1970

Industrial waste management policy (Prescribed Industrial Waste)

No. G14, 5 April 2007

4. This classification will come into effect on 1 July 2007.

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