DSWA Programs - Oil Filters

What is the Oil Filter Recycling Program?: DSWA's Oil Filter Recycling Program is the first statewide oil filter collection program in the United States. DSWA operates the award-winning program at no cost to taxpayers. Before 1996, most of the 1.3 million oil filters sold annually in Delaware ended up in the landfill. Because removing as much oil as possible from solid waste makes landfills safer, DSWA sought ways to recover oil filters and waste motor oil. Thanks to the oil-filter recycling program, DSWA now collects most of Delaware's oil filters before they are landfilled.

How Does it Work?: DSWA collects used oil filters from more than 600 repair shops, service stations, and DSWA Recycling drop-off centers statewide and transports them to the Delaware Recycling Center (DRC). There, a mechanical press called "The Kruncher" squeezes out 99% of the residual oil and molds up to 10 filters into a 10-pound, 3.5" x 4" briquette of very marketable steel.

How Can My Business Participate?: It's easy! Just call DSWA's Citizens' Response Line at 1-800-404-7080 to join. We'll provide your business three 55-gallon drums for used oil filters and arrange a pick-up schedule that's convenient for you. Beginning January 1st, 2008, DSWA will charge $25.00 per pick up (based on three 55-gallon drums). CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP NOW

How Can Homeowners Participate?: After you change your car or truck's oil, simply take the used oil and oil filters to a nearby DSWA Recycling drop-off center that accepts them. This way, you'll know you're helping the environment. Contact our Citizens' Response Line at 1-800-404-7080 for the nearest location.
What happens to the used motor oil?: Delaware City-based Valero collects and processes the oil for recycling.