I am no tree hugger by any means, but I try to be somewhat responsible with my oil changes. To that end, I take my used oil and filters to a local shop, and they deal with it. But I was wondering what I would do with the filters if I decided to do a cut open. What do you filter cutters do? Still take it to your local shop for disposal?
What do you do with filter after a cut open?
- Thread starter HK45
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The goal of used filter reclamation is usually two-fold.
1) They will crush the filters to remove any residual oil out of them. If they do eventually get landfill'd, then that's less used oil to potentially contaminate local water tables.
2) The alternative to landfilling them is recycling them. They still want to crush them probably to get residual oil out, but they can also reclaim the metal.
If you cut your filter open, and especially if you really disassemble it (remove the media from the end caps, etc), you're pretty much accomplishing goal #1, which is to get all used oil out. You can also, in theory, accomplish #2 as well. You can clean off and recycle any metal parts of the filter through your local household recycling programs, if available. You can probably toss the now-dried media in the trash can.
1) They will crush the filters to remove any residual oil out of them. If they do eventually get landfill'd, then that's less used oil to potentially contaminate local water tables.
2) The alternative to landfilling them is recycling them. They still want to crush them probably to get residual oil out, but they can also reclaim the metal.
If you cut your filter open, and especially if you really disassemble it (remove the media from the end caps, etc), you're pretty much accomplishing goal #1, which is to get all used oil out. You can also, in theory, accomplish #2 as well. You can clean off and recycle any metal parts of the filter through your local household recycling programs, if available. You can probably toss the now-dried media in the trash can.
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I take mine (along with the oil) to AutoZone and they recycle them.
I poke a hold in the dome with a punch to let them thoroughly drain. I put the can and base plate in the recycling and the media will get thrown in the trash. Not much to them besides the metal center tube and end caps. If I use a filter with metal end caps, I try to pop those off as well for recycling.
I am pretty sure folks here crush the whole filter (media and can) and recycle that. Metal is melted down and all the junk floats to the top IIRC so any non metal contaminants shouldn't be an issue if that is the concern.
To me, media looks like trash so it would likely get pitched by the recycling sorters anyways. That is how I look at it.
I am pretty sure folks here crush the whole filter (media and can) and recycle that. Metal is melted down and all the junk floats to the top IIRC so any non metal contaminants shouldn't be an issue if that is the concern.
To me, media looks like trash so it would likely get pitched by the recycling sorters anyways. That is how I look at it.
The can itself probably gets recycled at the transfer station. These days, there are giant magnets and shredders that can pull out the smallest piece of steel from the trash before it hits the landfill. The transfer station gets money for that metal.
Originally Posted By: dlundblad
Originally Posted By: redhat
Used filter media -- excellent fire starter.
This is a great idea! I am not very manly when it comes to fire starting so I need all the help i can get.
It works well. Small godevil and a hatchet -- break up some good kindling and make a cone. Crumble some newsprint and put it in the center of the media like a wick. Light it up and it'll start right up.
Originally Posted By: redhat
Used filter media -- excellent fire starter.
This is a great idea! I am not very manly when it comes to fire starting so I need all the help i can get.
It works well. Small godevil and a hatchet -- break up some good kindling and make a cone. Crumble some newsprint and put it in the center of the media like a wick. Light it up and it'll start right up.
After cutting the filter open and inspecting the inside, I usually:
- Put the media/core back on the oil drain pan and let it continue to drain until my next oil change... then toss it in the trash
- Remove and save the gasket and ADBV (they can often be used for some other purpose)
- Toss the base plate and spring
- Save the can/use it as a small parts cleaning tank or parts bin. If I have too many of that size already, toss one of the old ones
- Put the media/core back on the oil drain pan and let it continue to drain until my next oil change... then toss it in the trash
- Remove and save the gasket and ADBV (they can often be used for some other purpose)
- Toss the base plate and spring
- Save the can/use it as a small parts cleaning tank or parts bin. If I have too many of that size already, toss one of the old ones
I throw them away in the trash can. Same thing that your local auto shop does when you bring them in. I do pour the left over oil into a container to recycle at Oreillys's though. Not much you can do with them. As for the residual oil left in the pleats, I figure oil comes from the ground, I'm just trying to put it back where nature intended.
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Originally Posted By: HK45
I am no tree hugger by any means, but I try to be somewhat responsible with my oil changes. To that end, I take my used oil and filters to a local shop, and they deal with it. But I was wondering what I would do with the filters if I decided to do a cut open. What do you filter cutters do? Still take it to your local shop for disposal?
I toss the steel parts in my single stream recycling container and the media & rubber goes in the trash.
I am no tree hugger by any means, but I try to be somewhat responsible with my oil changes. To that end, I take my used oil and filters to a local shop, and they deal with it. But I was wondering what I would do with the filters if I decided to do a cut open. What do you filter cutters do? Still take it to your local shop for disposal?
I toss the steel parts in my single stream recycling container and the media & rubber goes in the trash.
Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: HK45
I am no tree hugger by any means, but I try to be somewhat responsible with my oil changes. To that end, I take my used oil and filters to a local shop, and they deal with it. But I was wondering what I would do with the filters if I decided to do a cut open. What do you filter cutters do? Still take it to your local shop for disposal?
I toss the steel parts in my single stream recycling container and the media & rubber goes in the trash.
Same here.
Originally Posted By: HK45
I am no tree hugger by any means, but I try to be somewhat responsible with my oil changes. To that end, I take my used oil and filters to a local shop, and they deal with it. But I was wondering what I would do with the filters if I decided to do a cut open. What do you filter cutters do? Still take it to your local shop for disposal?
I toss the steel parts in my single stream recycling container and the media & rubber goes in the trash.
Same here.
Originally Posted By: kmcavin
There need to be more operations like this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NplprEGyFKw
Nice operation they have going there. Thanks for posting the video.
Originally Posted By: JerryBob
Is there something wrong with being a tree-hugger?
Uh, I guess that depends on whether you are a tree-hugger or not.
To all others, thanks for the ideas.
There need to be more operations like this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NplprEGyFKw
Nice operation they have going there. Thanks for posting the video.
Originally Posted By: JerryBob
Is there something wrong with being a tree-hugger?
Uh, I guess that depends on whether you are a tree-hugger or not.
To all others, thanks for the ideas.
Recycling bin
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