Waste Oil

Waste oil consists of any oil refined from crude oil or any synthetic oil that has been used and consequently is contaminated by physical or chemical impurities. Some examples of the waste oil that we can collect are:

• Diesel and Gas Oil.
• Used Cooking Oil.
• Lubricating Oil.
• Medium and Light Fuel Oils.
• Electrical Insulation Oil.
• Kerosene.
• Gearbox Oil.
• Cooking Oil.
• Waste Cooking Oil.
• Waste Engine Oil.

In line with hazardous substances regulations, it is a criminal offence to dispose of waste oil without utilising a fully accredited and approved provider. Waste oil can be hazardous to the environment as well as humans, and the consequences for breaching these regulations in the UK can be severe.

Waste oil which is not safely and correctly stored can cause serious damage to the environment as well to human health. If you were to attempt to dispose of oil down a drain, it eventually ends up in our lakes, rivers or oceans. When mixed with water, oil creates a thin film across the surface, which can cause severe damage to marine and plant life, alongside polluting our water source.

Spillages of oil also pose a risk, not only to the wider environment but to the health and safety of the staff in your workplace. Therefore, as a responsible business, safe and secure storage of waste oil is crucial ahead of collection. We can provide you with a range of oil different storage options for your waste oil. This includes:

• Oil containers.
• Oil barrels.
• Oil drums.
• Oil tanks.

The type of container you need will vary, depending on several factors:

• The type of oil you are disposing of.
• How much waste oil you produce.
• How often you want the waste collecting.

We will work with you to provide a solution tailored to your specific requirements. It is your responsibility however, to ensure that each container is clearly labelled, to avoid cross-contamination of products.

There are various different stages in oil recycling, and although the process will vary slightly depending upon the type of oil, the most common practice for recycling oil is as follows.

1. Dewatering- This process is relatively straightforward and involves separating the oil from any water.

2. Filtering – One of the first stages in oil recycling is ‘filtering’, and the process is designed to remove any additives or inorganic material from the waste oil. For example, if you are recycling Diesel, it may contain an anti-corrosion agent that will need to be extracted. Following the filtering stage, the oil will be cleaner ahead of re-refining.

3. Distilling – Distillation separates the different components within the oil. This process is achieved by boiling the oil itself. After the distillation process, the re-refined oil can be used again. It may also be hydrotreated to ensure the oil is completely pure. Hydrotreatment removes excess oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur and chlorine from the oil.

Recycled oil can be used to create eco-friendly biodiesel. Alternatively, waste oil can be used as a power source. However, to do this, the oil must be burnt, which can cause damage to the environment. It also means that the oil cannot be used again.

The following legislation applies relating to the storage and disposal of waste oil:

The Hazardous Waste Regulations, 2005

By definition, non-edible oils are classified as ‘hazardous waste’, meaning you must comply with the Hazardous Waste Regulations act when disposing of them. This legislation dictates that anybody who uses or produces hazardous waste for commercial purposes must ensure that it is stored safely and securely, using appropriate containers. The containers must be clearly labelled to avoid cross-contamination and must only be collected by a licensed carrier. Each time you transfer waste, you should keep a ‘Duty of Care Receipt’ and ensure that it is disposed of safely.

The Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001

This legislation was put into place to ensure that business owners store their oil safely and securely. However, it only comes into fruition if you are storing more than 201 litres of oil at once. It provides guidance on safe storage and dictates that it is installed by qualified personnel. According to UKGOV, this means they should have passed the ‘Competent Person Scheme’. Additionally, your containers should be checked annually.

Environmental Protection Act 1990

This legislation was put into place to protect the environment for future generations and is often referenced in regard to waste disposal. As a business owner, you have a ‘duty of care’ to ensure that your impact upon the environment is minimal. To achieve this, you must prevent the ‘unauthorised or harmful deposit, treatment or disposal of waste’, by storing your waste securely, and ensuring a licensed carrier collects it. You must also complete an accurate waste transfer note each time waste is collected.