Recycling used oil is beneficial both to environment and people. In addition, used oil recycling is a good business that brings in extra income for both commercial and home kitchens. It’s also a requirement in some states across the USA. However, common mistakes and lack of knowledge still make it impossible for everyone to recycle their used oil correctly.
Before recycling used oil, ensure you know which type of oil can be recycled. Some oils such as waste oil from fuel storage tanks, fuel oil spills and other oil wastes are not eligible for recycling.
You can find many uses for used cooking oil at home, but if you’re running a commercial kitchen, it’s wiser to use a recycling company due to the amount of oil to be repurposed.
How recycling companies recycle used oil
A fully permitted and insured recycling company can recycle used oil for the same application or a completely new task.
What the company does is re-refine used motor oils by removing the impurities. After that, the oils can serve the same purpose as before or go through processing to fuel oil for various purposes. Re-refining used oil prolongs the oil resource life for many more years.
Re-refining used oil also helps in virgin oil preservation, uses less energy, and closes the recycling loop. Oil filters do not waste as the companies turn them into scrap metal. Aluminum rolling pins go through recycling for the same purpose while oils re-refine to refinery production processes feedstock.
Practices and regulations for used oil recycling
Used oil is a precious commodity, so the environmental protection agency (EPA) provides several recycling incentives instead of disposing of the same in landfills.
♦ If you’re starting your used oil-recycling journey, you should ensure that the company you choose abides by all recycling, transportation, and storage regulations. The EPA requirements for all the states are the same throughout the USA. However, some of the states have stricter recycling requirements.
♦ Before making any commitments, review your local state authority’s requirements regarding used oil recycling. The following are some of the most important things you should pay attention to when dealing with any recycling company.
♦ The used oil recycling company you choose must have a 12-digit EPA identification number that allows it off-site used oil shipping. A legit company should have valid insurance for hazardous waste transport.
♦ The containers used for storage should be closed and structurally sound. Only containers and tanks are the appropriate storage units. They should also be leak-proof and aboveground.
♦ The containers should always stay tightly closed when they do not have any used oil in them.
♦ Ensure that you keep track of all the records between you and the recycling company
♦ Only site attendants should put the used oil in the waiting containers to avoid contamination with other fluids. Adding non-oil fluids to the mixture will spoil the contents of the whole container making recycling impossible.
♦ All the containers with the used oil should have clear labels. Label them as used oil and not waste oil as the two have completely different meanings
♦ In any oil spills, clean the spill up immediately using absorbent materials. After cleaning, do not dispose of the materials but store them in a different container with labeling to show what is inside and send it alongside the used oil.
Wrapping it up
Used oil recycling is common today due to more awareness of its benefits to both the environment and the economy. Used oil recycling centers are also available in almost every locality, making the collecting, transporting, and storage processes easier and cost-effective. Before choosing the recycling center you want to use for your used oil, you should ensure that it follows all the EPA practices and regulations.
Shift Frequency © 2021 – Practices and Regulations
for Used Oil Recycling