Beginning Oct. 1, oil filters will join the list of items banned from landfill disposal in the state. This comes from a bill enacted by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2005. The upcoming mandate means citizens of Bladen County can no longer dump oil filters with the rest of their trash.

However, Bladen County Solid Waste is ahead of the game. In conjunction with Safety Kleen, a leading provider of environmental solutions, the agency is providing a recycling option for individuals and businesses.

Black recycling barrels that are marked for used oil filters only are located at each of the county’s 17 recycling/collection centers located throughout the county. Individuals may take any oil filters to the center nearest them, toss them into the barrel and be on their way. A piece of cake — and another way to help the environment!

Safety Kleen’s local office out of St. Pauls will service the collection of the oil filters for recycling. Interested businesses may contact Specialist Derek Leonard with Safety Kleen at 910-633-9599.

“Oil filters are one of many new items that will be added to our comprehensive recycling program this year,” said Bladen County Solid Waste Director Robert Mazur.

Oil filters are considered a valuable resource for recycling because they are made from steel. Steel provided from these oil filters can be reused in the making of several new products, including automobiles, appliances, construction materials and cans.

For additional information about the oil filter recycling program, recycling in general or the location of the center nearest you, call Gloria Dove Allen or Brandon Smith at Solid Waste at 645-4279.