What is waste oil?
Used oil is any petroleum-based or synthetic oil that has been used. During normal use, impurities such as dirt, metal scrapings, water or chemicals, can get mixed in with the oil, so that over time the oil no longer performs well. Eventually, this used oil must be replaced with new or re-refined oil, and you are left with the task of getting rid of the waste oil produced.
Used oils such as engine lubrication oil, hydraulic fluids, and gear oils used in cars, bikes, or lawnmowers can pollute the environment if it is not disposed of properly. According to government regulations, used oil must be recycled or disposed of properly. Used oil filters pose similar waste concerns. If properly drained, they can be safely recycled or disposed of.
We also have the capability to remove used cooking oil.
How does our service work?
A trained professional will simply pump waste oil from the drums and into a tanker truck. From there, the waste oil is taken to a facility where it will be recycled.
Why is it important to recycle waste oil?
Did you know that that used oil from one oil change may contaminate 1 million gallons of fresh water? That’s a years’ supply for 50 people!
According to the EPA:
•Two hundred million gallons of used oil are improperly disposed of each year.
•Recycling just 2 gallons of used oil can generate enough electricity to run the average household for almost 24 hours.
•Recycling used oil keeps it from polluting soil and water.
•Motor oil does not wear out—it just gets dirty—so recycling it saves a valuable resource.
•Less energy is required to produce a gallon of refined base stock than a base stock from crude oil.
Our company is worried that the waste oil we use contains halogens or PCBS—what do we do?
During the process we will test for halogens and PCBs. This service is included in the price (any applicable taxes are additional). Please note that as a customer you agree not to give Helpful Waste Oil LLC any waste oil that contains Halogens or PCBs. Under EPA regulations, these gases are considered hazardous and therefore are under different EPA disposal guidelines. Helpful Waste Oil LLC will be testing the oil and in the event that any oil contains above the maximum allowed residue there will either be an additional disposal charge or it will be returned to the customer along with an additional $50.00 transportation charge.
What regulations are associated with waste oil disposal?
The EPA regulates the disposal of waste oil and it is important to know that dumping or improperly disposing of waste oil is illegal. For more information, please see the EPA website.
Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency, “Used Waste Management Program”