Keeping used oil filters out of landfills
By Dave Dreeszen Journal business editor | Posted: Sunday, December 09, 2007
A bin full of used oil filters at Jebro's Bridgeport Drive facility moves move toward a crusher, which squeezes out the remaining oil and turns the filters into brick-like shapes. The bricks are then baked in a large kiln, which burns off the paper, rubber and other waste, leaving only cubes of steel. (Staff photo by Jerry Mennenga)
SIOUX CITY -- A Siouxland business is working to keep more used oil filters out of the trash.
Jebro Inc. recycles discarded filters it collects from car dealers, quick-lube shops and other businesses throughout the region. With its state-of-the-art equipment, the company separates the used oil from the filter's steel, creating new uses for both materials.
''We're doing this to be environmentally-friendly,'' said Chad Anderson, Jebro’s human resources/safety/environmental compliance manager. ''What we're doing is keeping the used oil and steel out of the landfill.''
According to industry figures, up to 90 percent of old oil filters are simply discarded. Most landfills in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota accept used filters if they are ''hot drained'' for 24 hours. After they're removed and punctured, the filters are drained upside down at or near engine temperature.
Hot draining, however, does not necessarily remove all of the oil left in a filter, said Mike Marlow, general manager of Jebro’s petroleum recovery division. Some three gallons of oil, for instance, can be squeezed out of about 230 used filters, which is the approximate number it takes to fill one 55-gallon drum.
Sioux City-based Jebro, established in 1972, specializes in liquid Asphalt. At a 27-acre site at 2303 Bridgeport Drive, Jebro imports Asphalt in by tanker or rail and distributes the hot Asphalt material by truck to contractors and local governments in a 400-mile radius of Sioux City.
In 1989, Jebro established a petroleum recovery division, which today recycles 4 million gallons of used oil. The company regularly collects used oil in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Missouri and Kansas. For some jobs, they travel as far away as Colorado and Montana.
The division also recovers used diesel fuel, oily water and antifreeze. To ensure compliance with state and federal standards, all recovered products are analyzed for the presence of water, contaminants or other hazardous wastes. Upon acceptance, the products are then safely transferred to Jebro’s facilities for recycling and storage.
About 1 1/2 years ago, used oil filters were added to Jebro's recycling mix. The expansion came after Iowa's largest county, Polk, where the company does business, banned used filters from its landfill.
This year, Jebro has collected about 5,600 drums of oil filters, and managed to recycle some 17,000 gallons of oil and 314 tons of steel inside one of its warehouses.
The proprietary recycling process begins with dumping drums of used oil filters into a large bin. The filters are then automatically fed into a machine that crushes the filters into brick-like pieces. A tray beneath the crusher collects the oil squeezed out of the filters.
An ''ergonomically correct'' system picks up the rows of bricks, and then deposits them on heat-resistant pallets. The filter pallets are then placed in a large kiln that reaches temperatures up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. ''We're left with a cube of steel when we're done,'' Marlow said.
The No. 1 grade recycled steel is then shipped by rail to smelters around the country. Recovered oil is then processed and transported to various construction sites to be used as fuel for heating hot mix, Marlow said. It's more economical than other sources of fuel.
Though Jebro is not a drop off site, the company picks up used filters around the tri-state region as far away as Des Moines and Omaha. Currently, one employee, Ed Gulbronson, is assigned to running the routes and operating the crusher and kiln.
Eventually, Jebro hopes to increase its filter collections to the point where the recycling line expands to three shifts, running 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
Marlow noted that some businesses balk at recycling oil filters due to the added cost. But the expense amounts to as little as 15 cents per filter, he said.
Jebro offers to pick up filters at the same time that it collects used oil. The fee is based on volume, and varies on a case-by-case basis.
For more information or to arrange a pickup of filters or used oil, contact Jebro at (712) 277-8859, or toll-free at 800-231-8555. Collections can also be scheduled by filing out an online form at: {M7www.jebro.com/UO_pickuprequestform.htm
Jebro's Web site also includes other additional ''green'' information, including safety tips and articles on used oil recycling.
Jebro Inc. recycles discarded filters it collects from car dealers, quick-lube shops and other businesses throughout the region. With its state-of-the-art equipment, the company separates the used oil from the filter's steel, creating new uses for both materials.
''We're doing this to be environmentally-friendly,'' said Chad Anderson, Jebro’s human resources/safety/environmental compliance manager. ''What we're doing is keeping the used oil and steel out of the landfill.''
According to industry figures, up to 90 percent of old oil filters are simply discarded. Most landfills in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota accept used filters if they are ''hot drained'' for 24 hours. After they're removed and punctured, the filters are drained upside down at or near engine temperature.
Hot draining, however, does not necessarily remove all of the oil left in a filter, said Mike Marlow, general manager of Jebro’s petroleum recovery division. Some three gallons of oil, for instance, can be squeezed out of about 230 used filters, which is the approximate number it takes to fill one 55-gallon drum.
Sioux City-based Jebro, established in 1972, specializes in liquid Asphalt. At a 27-acre site at 2303 Bridgeport Drive, Jebro imports Asphalt in by tanker or rail and distributes the hot Asphalt material by truck to contractors and local governments in a 400-mile radius of Sioux City.
In 1989, Jebro established a petroleum recovery division, which today recycles 4 million gallons of used oil. The company regularly collects used oil in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Missouri and Kansas. For some jobs, they travel as far away as Colorado and Montana.
The division also recovers used diesel fuel, oily water and antifreeze. To ensure compliance with state and federal standards, all recovered products are analyzed for the presence of water, contaminants or other hazardous wastes. Upon acceptance, the products are then safely transferred to Jebro’s facilities for recycling and storage.
About 1 1/2 years ago, used oil filters were added to Jebro's recycling mix. The expansion came after Iowa's largest county, Polk, where the company does business, banned used filters from its landfill.
This year, Jebro has collected about 5,600 drums of oil filters, and managed to recycle some 17,000 gallons of oil and 314 tons of steel inside one of its warehouses.
The proprietary recycling process begins with dumping drums of used oil filters into a large bin. The filters are then automatically fed into a machine that crushes the filters into brick-like pieces. A tray beneath the crusher collects the oil squeezed out of the filters.
An ''ergonomically correct'' system picks up the rows of bricks, and then deposits them on heat-resistant pallets. The filter pallets are then placed in a large kiln that reaches temperatures up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. ''We're left with a cube of steel when we're done,'' Marlow said.
The No. 1 grade recycled steel is then shipped by rail to smelters around the country. Recovered oil is then processed and transported to various construction sites to be used as fuel for heating hot mix, Marlow said. It's more economical than other sources of fuel.
Though Jebro is not a drop off site, the company picks up used filters around the tri-state region as far away as Des Moines and Omaha. Currently, one employee, Ed Gulbronson, is assigned to running the routes and operating the crusher and kiln.
Eventually, Jebro hopes to increase its filter collections to the point where the recycling line expands to three shifts, running 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
Marlow noted that some businesses balk at recycling oil filters due to the added cost. But the expense amounts to as little as 15 cents per filter, he said.
Jebro offers to pick up filters at the same time that it collects used oil. The fee is based on volume, and varies on a case-by-case basis.
For more information or to arrange a pickup of filters or used oil, contact Jebro at (712) 277-8859, or toll-free at 800-231-8555. Collections can also be scheduled by filing out an online form at: {M7www.jebro.com/UO_pickuprequestform.htm
Jebro's Web site also includes other additional ''green'' information, including safety tips and articles on used oil recycling.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 0 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
