MONROE - Do-it-yourself mechanics won't be allowed to dump oil filters in Wisconsin landfills starting next month.
A new state law that bans oil filters and other oil absorbent materials takes effect Jan. 1. Absorbent materials include granular absorbents, rags and paper towels.
James Hunkins, Green County Landfill manager, oil filters can be brought to the landfill with other recyclables.
"They have to be drained and then brought in separately from other garbage," Hunkins said. "We can recycle the oil filters."
Another option is poking a hole in the oil filter to ensure all the oil is drained and then taking the filters to a salvage yard.
Tom Boll, Monroe street and sanitation supervisor, said the city will pick up oil filters during weekly trash pick-up if the filters are separated from other refuse.
"Drain the oil filters as best as you can, and put them next to the garbage," Boll said.
He said the city also picks up oil that is in milk containers or other marked containers.
According to the Associated Press, those who put oil filters into their garbage risk a fine ranging from $50 to $2,000.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) estimates Wisconsin residents throw away about estimated 187,000 gallons of oil in used filters - and 1.6 million gallons of oil in absorbents.
According to the DNR, used oil can be extracted and reused. Filters also contain steel components that can be recycled. Recycling the roughly 9 million filters that currently enter the landfill will save more than 4.5 million pounds of steel for reuse.
Anyone with questions can contact the Green County Landfill at (608) 897-8605; or the DNR at (608) 266-2111.
A new state law that bans oil filters and other oil absorbent materials takes effect Jan. 1. Absorbent materials include granular absorbents, rags and paper towels.
James Hunkins, Green County Landfill manager, oil filters can be brought to the landfill with other recyclables.
"They have to be drained and then brought in separately from other garbage," Hunkins said. "We can recycle the oil filters."
Another option is poking a hole in the oil filter to ensure all the oil is drained and then taking the filters to a salvage yard.
Tom Boll, Monroe street and sanitation supervisor, said the city will pick up oil filters during weekly trash pick-up if the filters are separated from other refuse.
"Drain the oil filters as best as you can, and put them next to the garbage," Boll said.
He said the city also picks up oil that is in milk containers or other marked containers.
According to the Associated Press, those who put oil filters into their garbage risk a fine ranging from $50 to $2,000.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) estimates Wisconsin residents throw away about estimated 187,000 gallons of oil in used filters - and 1.6 million gallons of oil in absorbents.
According to the DNR, used oil can be extracted and reused. Filters also contain steel components that can be recycled. Recycling the roughly 9 million filters that currently enter the landfill will save more than 4.5 million pounds of steel for reuse.
Anyone with questions can contact the Green County Landfill at (608) 897-8605; or the DNR at (608) 266-2111.