Are There Any Cost Effective Uses For Used Oil?

The Office of Compliance Fact Sheet Series

The Growth of the Used Oil Wastestream

Used oil is by far becoming one of the largest wastestreams for industries performing maintenance activities. Therefore, it is important now more than ever to properly manage used oil. Recycling is the most efficient way of managing used oil: it saves money by preventing costly cleanups and liabilities that are associated with mismanagement of used oil, and it helps to protect the environment.

Recycling

On September 10, 1992, EPA published its Used Oil Management Standards. They are meant to encourage the recycling of used oil, without placing unnecessary regulatory burdens on the generators of used oil. Almost all used oil can be recycled. Cost comparison/analysis may be necessary to determine which is the best recycling option for your business. The four most common used oil recycling methods that are approved by the EPA's Used Oil Management Standards (which can be found in 40 CFR Part 279) are:

• Re-refining of used oil to use as a base stock for lubricating oil. This recycling option applies physical and chemical treatments to the used oil to remove impurities until the re-refined oil is of as high a quality as the virgin oil product. In addition, re-refining takes from 50 to 85 percent less energy than refining virgin oil into lubricating oil. One disadvantage of re-refining is that it is more complicated and expensive than other recycling options. However, re-refining used oil into lubricating oil is easier and less expensive than re-refining crude oil into lubricating oil, and the costs associated with re-refining used oil usually can be recaptured when the lubricating oil is sold. A second disadvantage is that only a few re-refining facilities are currently in operation in the United States.
• Slipstreaming used oil to use as a base stock for other petroleum products. This method is done by introducing small amounts (approximately 1 percent of the feedstock material) of used oil into the virgin oil refining process. The refining process then removes all contaminants in the used oil that will affect the quality of the resulting petroleum product. The major advantage of slipstreaming is that the lubrication value of the used oil can be utilized without complicated processing methods. In addition, slipstreaming poses no greater environmental risk than refining virgin oil. However, this method also has the disadvantage of lack of availability. However, because of its advantages, on the other hand, slipstreaming and re-refining may become more available in the future.
• Processing used oil to burn for heat. This method involves treating used oil so that it will make a better fuel. Processing used oil is a widespread industry in the United States, making one of the advantages of this method its availability. (There are almost 200 processors around the country.) Another advantage is that processing improves the burning quality of used oil, allowing it to be burned by a greater number of burning facilities.
• Direct burning of used oil for heat. This method burns used oil without processing it first to remove contaminants. The major advantage is that it allows the heat value of used oil to be utilized without the expense of processing the used oil before burning. Facilities that generate large amounts of used oil find this method to be the most desirable. Therefore, direct burning is a readily available option for generators.

Facilities that do Direct Burning must check state and local authorities to see if they need air pollution control permits.

Blending

Used oil may be mixed with diesel fuel, provided the diesel is not contaminated with a hazardous waste. Diesel fuel blended with up to 1% used oil may be used in most heavy-duty engines without harming the engine or effecting emissions. Many recyclers or burners also accept used oil mixed with diesel; however, you should check with you recycling facility prior to mixing.

Since most other fuels are hazardous wastes, and hazardous waste disposal is a lengthy, costly, and strict regulatory process, it is generally recommended not to mix anything with used oil that is to be recycled. If used oil is mixed with hazardous waste, it will likely have to be managed as a hazardous waste. Most used oil transporters will not pick up used oil if it has been mixed with other fuels.

Additional Information

Environmental Regulations and Technology: Managing Used Motor Oil, EPA/625/R-94-010, December 1994

Managing Used Oil: Advice for Small Businesses, EPA 530-F-96-004, November 1996

How Can I Transport Used Oil? Fact Sheet

What Are The Used Oil Mixing Requirements? Fact Sheet

How Should I Store Used Oil? Fact Sheet or http://www.epa.gov/ordntrnt/ORD/used_oil.html

What Should I Do With Used Oil Filters? Fact Sheet or http://www.epa.gov/ordntrnt/ORD/used_oil.html

For More Information:

National Oil Recyclers Association

Used Oil Management Association

American Petroleum Institute (202) 682 8000

Used Oil Hotline (RCRA/Superfund/UST) at 1-800-424-9346