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Download the MassCAR Oil Filter Crushers Fact Sheet.
How it Works
Oil filter crushers are machines that press the oil filter can under high pressure and force the oil out quickly. The spent oil is collected in a chamber for easy recycling or to be used in a waste-oil heater. The filter is crushed into a hockey-puck sized piece of metal allowing for it to be recycled rather than disposed of as hazardous waste
The Benefits
Reduce Hazardous Waste Pickup Costs
Since MassDEP requires that un-crushed and un-drained oil filters be managed as hazardous waste, shops can reduce the volume and cost of hazardous waste pickups by crushing oil filters and recycling them as scrap metal. This has potential to turn a costly and hazardous waste into a profit. See the “Hazardous Waste Management” and “Common Hazardous Wastes” fact sheets.
Simplify Tasks for Your Workers and Save Time
MassDEP requires oil filters be drained for at least 12 hours or handled as hazardous waste. Workers must simply leave the used oil filter on a rack to drain. However, it can be difficult to ensure that each oil filter is sufficiently drained. By spending less labor time monitoring proper oil filter drainage, your workers can tend to other important shop tasks.
Efficiently Collect Fuel for Your Waste-Oil Heater
Many shops collect used oil to fuel their waste-oil heater, as it reduces the cost of heating the shop. It only takes 10 to 15 seconds for an oil filter crusher to force the remaining oil out of a used filter. Remember that all waste-oil heaters must be registered with MassDEP and follow their guidance for safe handling of waste oil. See the “Waste Oil Management” fact sheet for guidance.
Things to Consider
All oil filters that are terne plated (an alloy of tin and lead), must be handled as hazardous regardless of whether they are drained for 12 or more hours or mechanically crushed. Terne plated oil filters are generally used in heavy duty vehicles, such as transit buses.
Take the Next Step
Contact the Office of Technical Assistance (OTA):
OTA staff have expertise in auto shop environmental safety and can offer free and confidential assistance and advice. Email OTA at maota@mass.gov or call 617-626-1060 for assistance.
Talk to Your Suppliers
Ask your supplier about available oil filter crushers. Oil filter crusher manufacturers include Herkules, Ranger, Magnum Force, OBERG, Vetril, FilterMatic and others. Some vendors will offer free trials of their equipment – ask them!
Get a Reference
Talk to another shop owner that has successfully purchased and used an oil filter crusher. If you do not know any shops that use one, OTA (617-626-1060) may be able to connect you.
Success Stories
USPS Boston Garage (Boston, MA) has been using an oil filter crusher since 2000 to simplify the task of draining and collecting the waste oil. Due to the larger nature of the vehicles, the garage processes larger oil filters than the typical auto shop. The device crushes the cans down from their original height of six inches to about 1.5 inches in height. USPS has reduced their volume of oil filter hazardous waste by approximately 60 percent. The implementation of an oil crusher has reduced hazardous waste pick-ups from three per year to only one, reducing disposal costs.
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