Oil

Oil is a highly polluting substance capable of damaging both the environment and human health.
Oil is responsible for more pollution incidents than any other group of substances (Environment Agency's Pollution Incident Database 1998) and a third of all water pollution incidents involve oil.
Lubricating oils are used in virtually every industry and represent the largest source of waste mineral oils. Major volumes are obtained from: -

	Engines and power transmissions of petrol / diesel fuelled vehicles,
	Hydraulics
	Gearboxes
	Turbines
	Circulatory systems
	Metal working production systems

In 1997 approximately 872,400 m3 of lubricating oils were sold in the UK, of this amount 395,741 m3 was either unaccounted for or lost in use (DETR Waste Strategy 2000 for England and Wales).

Waste oils contain traces of additives used to produce specified performances, such as rust inhibitors and detergents as well as contaminants acquired during use, such as metals or combustion products that increase the hazardous nature of the waste.

In the UK collected waste oils are usually transformed into a product called Recovered Fuel Oil that may substitute for virgin fuel oil under controlled combustion conditions and usually requires the consent of the Environment Agency.

There is a network of over 1000 oil recycling banks in the UK. To find out where your nearest oil recycling bank is visit oilbankline

All waste oils are classified as special / hazardous waste and therefore, handling, storage and processing is controlled under the Special Waste regulations (1996) and from the 16th July 2005 will be controlled by the Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005

The regulations require that a consignment note accompany movement of waste oils, however; small quantities (up to 5 litres for disposal and 20 litres for recovery) are exempt.

Oil Storage Regulations

The Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations (2001) are designed to reduce the impact on the environment from the storage and use of oil.

Sites storing oil in containers of more than 200 litres, outside and above the ground at industrial, commercial or institutional sites must meet minimum standards to prevent pollution and provide protection for the environment.

All types of oil are covered with the exception of waste mineral oil; this means that petrol, diesel, vegetable, synthetic and mineral oil are affected by the regulations.

These regulations have been in force in ‘high risk areas’ (where oil is stored within 10m of a watercourse or 50m of a well or borehole) since September 2003. However from September 2005 all sites meeting the above criteria (regardless of their position in relation to a watercourse or borehole) need to comply with the regulations.

There are a number of technical requirements that must be met in order to comply with the regulations. The principal requirement is to ensure the oil tanks are bunded or that they have some kind of secondary containment, so that if an accident occurred and the tank became damaged, the escaping oil would be contained with the secondary containment. The bunding itself must meet a number of criteria, including:

(a) a capacity of not less than 110% of the container’s storage capacity;

(b) it must be positioned, or other steps must be taken, so as to minimise any risk of damage by impact so far as is reasonably practicable;

(c) its base and walls must be impermeable to water and oil;

(d) its base and walls must not be penetrated by any valve, pipe or other opening which is used for draining the system; and

(e) if any fill pipe, or draw off pipe, penetrates its base or any of its walls, the junction of the pipe with the base or walls must be adequately sealed to prevent oil escaping from the system.

(f) Any valve, filter, sight gauge, vent pipe or other equipment ancillary to the container (other than a fill pipe or draw off pipe or, if the oil has a flashpoint of less than 32°C, a pump) must be situated within the secondary containment system.

(g) Where a fill pipe is not within the secondary containment system, a drip tray must be used to catch any oil spilled when the container is being filled with oil.

(h) Where any drum is used for the storage of oil in conjunction with a drip tray as the secondary containment system, it is sufficient if the tray has a capacity of not less than 25% of -

(i) the drum's storage capacity;

or

(ii) if there is more than one drum used at the same time with the tray, the aggregate storage capacity of the drums.

Failure to comply with the regulations is a criminal offence, and can result in prosecution and a fine of up to £20,000.

For further information regarding oil storage regulations visit the Environment Agency website

Source: The Centre for Waste Management

Oil Recycling Association

Members of the Oil Recycling Association (ORA) collect the majority of waste oil products generated in the UK. ORA members should be able to give customers advice on handling waste oil and also provide a wide range of associated services.

The Oil Recycling Association
74 Ack Lane East
Bramall
Stockport
SK7 2BH
e-mail ORA@cwcom.net

Find your nearest oilbank – for recycling waste engine oil

Environment Agency: Oil Care Campaign The Oil Care Campaign was set up by the Environment Agency to reduce oil pollution by providing guidance on and facilities for the safe disposal and management of oil