RECYCLING OF USED OIL FILTERS (INFORMATIONAL)
SUBJECT: INFORMATION ON RECYCLING OF USED OIL FILTERS
MODELS: ALL MODELS 1993 AND PRIOR YEARS
Currently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, pursuant to its authority under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), specifically addressed the handling of used oil filters (57 FR 21524). This final rule modified the current exclusions from the definition of hazardous waste to provide an exemption to certain types of used oil filters. In short, filters that are properly prepared, are not considered a hazardous waste and may be delivered to a landfill. Proper filter preparation includes; puncture and drain techniques, hot drain and crushing processes and dismantling and hot drain techniques.
However, each state has authority to enforce more stringent requirements regarding environmental issues such as these, and many states do. Several states disallow the entry of used oil filters into landfills regardless of their preparation. In these circumstances, used oil filters must be handled as hazardous waste (i.e. contract a waste hauler). Also, as with other hazardous wastes, the generator (in this case the dealer) is responsible for the waste "cradle to grave".
While there are various means of responsible oil filter disposal, one option includes the use of a unique recycling service which is provided by TRI-STAR Environmental Inc. The Tri-Star process provides pickup in convenient DOT approved containers at any location nationwide, including Alaska and Hawaii. Recycling and reclamation are accomplished via a "zero-discharge closed loop" system which renders clean metal, used oil and paper media as byproducts. Essentially, the used oil filter is dismantled and transformed into usable materials.
Tri-star provides complete feedback of each shipment received. Basically, the process works as follows: special containers are shipped to your facility (the size will vary depending on your needs), when the containers are full of used filters a toll free call is made to Tri-Star for pick-up, the full containers are picked up within 12-24 hours, new containers are sent out immediately. Soon after the containers are received by Tri-Star, a document (certificate of recycle) is sent to the generator (dealer) confirming recycling.
The following information outlines the cost structure of the Tri-Star program for General Motors dealers. A 20 gallon filterpak will hold approximately 75 filters. Should you be interested in this service, contact Tri-Star at 1-800-967-6993.
We believe this source and their equipment to be reliable. There may be additional manufacturers of such equipment. General Motors does not endorse, indicate any preference for or assume any responsibility for the products or equipment from this firm or for any such items which may be available from other sources.
GM Service Charges
Filterpak Avg. Normal Price Price Per Tri-Star Location (20 gallon) Filterpak Filter Price - Non-GM -------------------------------------------------------------- 1-10 dealer $37.50 $0.42 $45.00 locations 10-40 dealer 36.00 0.40 45.00 locations National Service 32.25 0.36 45.00 (all locations)
Setup Charges (one time) for 25 or more locations ---------------------------- GM Normal Prices Retail Non-GM --------------- Setup fee per location $25.00 $75.00 Filterpak deposit per location 75.00 100.00 fully refundable
All prices are wholesale to General Motors dealers only. All other clients will be quoted at retail.
General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
