 |
|
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CASE STUDY: |
GREENSBORO -
OIL FILTER RECYCLING |
For years the city of Greensboro “hot drained” oil filters from city garages and sent them to a landfill. After learning how much excess oil remained, the city decided to implement a filter recycling program. They began collecting oil filters in 2002 and now recycle filters at five garages throughout the city, including the Greensboro Transit Authority. These garages maintain more than 1,400 city vehicles, including trash trucks, cars, buses, fire trucks, police cars (including county and state police) and water resources trucks.
Greensboro has contracted with Safety Kleen in Archdale for its oil filters. Safety Kleen provides the city with spill-proof containers and these containers are labeled with “Filter Recycling ONLY” signs. In 2005, the total cost of the program was $1,100 and the Greensboro garages recycled 8,775 filters. The mechanics were trained on how to handle filter disposal during annual hazardous waste training.
The city of Greensboro also collects oil filters from citizens through its household hazardous waste program. This is a separate program from the garage contract and is serviced by ECOFLO Inc., a local business. In 2005, HHW collection yielded 423,912 pounds of materials, 650 pounds of which was oil filters. The total cost of the HHW program in 2005 was $239,846. Collection is open to the public four days a week. It is not possible to determine what percentage of the cost is directly related to oil filter recycling.
March 2006
For a PDF of this case study, click here.
|
