Disposal of used engine oil: characteristics and how to manage them
Used oils are the residues generated by the replacement of lubricating oils used in the industrial and transport sectors which, after a certain period of time, have lost their characteristics. The definition of waste oil is as follows: any industrial or lubricating oil, mineral or synthetic, that has become unsuitable for its intended use, such as waste oils from combustion engines and transmission systems, as well as lubricating oils and oils for turbines and hydraulic controls. The recovery of waste oils is advantageous from an economic point of view, as they can be processed and returned to the market as regenerated lubricant bases of high quality, comparable to that of raw materials. The recovery of used oils can also be energy-efficient, if used as fuel.
Disposal of used oil regulations
The management of waste oils takes place on the basis of Article 216-bis of Legislative Decree 152/2006, according to which waste oils must be managed according to the order of priority set out in Article 179, paragraph 1, namely:
- prevention;
- preparation for reuse;
- recycling;
- other types of recovery, such as energy recovery;
- disposal.
The temporary storage and subsequent phases of waste oil management must be carried out in such a way as to keep the waste oils to be used for different treatment processes constantly separate. It is forbidden to mix waste oils with other types of waste or substances. Waste oils can be recovered:
- through regeneration aimed at the production of lubricating bases;
- if regeneration is technically unfeasible and economically impracticable, by combustion.
If the previous treatment methods are not technically feasible due to the particular composition of the waste oils, the latter can be disposed of.
Waste engine oil disposal centers
In order to rationalize and organize the management of used mineral oils, to be sent for regeneration aimed at the production of base oils, companies are required to participate in the performance of tasks by joining the consortium, as indicated in art. 233 of Legislative Decree 152/2006. Would you like to have more information on the management and/or storage of used engine oils? Read the guide or contact one of our consultants if you have any questions.
