Waste mineral oil can be reprocessed and re-sold as low-grade industrial lubricant or industrial boiler fuel oil to generate heat or electricity or both. Waste mineral oils have been recycled in Ireland since 1973 by a number of waste oil companies, the addresses of which are given at the end of this leaflet.

Vegetable oils, such as cooking oil, are made from seeds and nuts of plants such as sunflowers, olives, peanuts, rape seed and grapes. They are quite different and should not be mixed with mineral oils. Waste arises when the owners of restaurants, canteens and domestic kitchens wish to renew their cooking oil. These used cooking oils can be cleaned and used in animal feeds.

Volumes of Waste Oil

It is estimated that we produce 36,000 tonnes of waste oil per annum, of which 11,000 tonnes, most of which is lubricating oil, is recovered (EPA 1995).

The loss of oil is attributed to DIY car maintenance, the geographical dispersal of service garages and industrial users, and the reluctance of garage owners to collect used oil because of the risk of spillage, fire, etc.

Legal Situation

The E.U. Directive on the Disposal of Waste Oil (75/439/EEC) required Member States to take the necessary measures to ensure the safe disposal of waste oils. Disposal is to be carried out by recycling, as far as possible.

It is illegal to dispose of oil to waters or sewers under the Water Pollution Act, 1977. On summary conviction, the fine is £250 together with a further £100 for every day on which the offence is committed.

Producers of quantities of waste oil in excess of 500 litres per annum are subject to the special requirements of the Waste Management (Hazardous Waste) Regulations, 1997 (S.I. No.163 of 1997).

In addition the Waste Management (Miscellaneous) Provisions Regulations, 1998 prescribed 20 May, 1998 as the day on or after which the collection of waste oils requires a waste collection permit in accordance with section 34(1) of the Waste Management Act, 1996. They also provide for other matters including the prosecution of offences by any person, the transfer of waste, the making of waste management plans, the defrayal of costs incurred by local authorities and the provision of information.

Prevention and Minimisation

The illustrated hierarchy of options for the management of wastes generally, including oils, requires that priority be given to measures and approaches for the prevention and reduction of waste oils. Attention therefore should be given at the purchase stage to appropriate quantities being ordered and that they are delivered in proper containers for storage; that storage facilities are secure and adequate precautions have been taken to prevent contamination, e.g. by water, and to avoid spillage and leakage to drains or to soils. Recommended periods of use should also be followed. When these options have been fully explored and exploited then recycling may be considered.

Why Recycle Waste Oil?

Improper disposal of oils leads to:

  • blocked house drains and sewers
  • problems for the sewage treatment works   • owing to the oil affecting the bacteria which break down solid wastes
  • tainted drinking water supplies
  • disastrous effects on birds, fish and plant life in rivers, streams or ponds. One litre of used oil will contaminate 1 million litres of water.

Remember never pour waste oils down drains or sewers.

Pouring oil on the ground causes "logging" where the soil becomes sealed off from air and water, killing the earth worms
and bacteria necessary for regeneration. Improper burning of oil can cause pollution by releasing heavy metals, chlorines and fluorines into the air.

The recovery of waste oils is of economic importance:

  • The balance of payments is reduced through savings on the import of expensive lubricating and heating oils and vegetable oils.
  • The collection and processing of waste oils creates employment.
  • Costs savings arise for industry and consumers.
  • Recycling of mineral oil helps to conserve world stocks of petroleum which is a non-renewable resource.
  • Recycling of both mineral and vegetable oils extends the life and usefulness of natural resources and contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle.

Bring your waste oil to a collection point or have it collected if you have sufficient quantities.

It's easy to make a difference

Whether you are a garage owner, industrialist or DIY car maintenance mechanic, restaurant/canteen manager or owner, facilities for recycling mineral oil are never far away from you.

  • Collection services for vegetable oil are being expanded all the time.
  • Waste oil companies provide a wide range of services
  • Collection service for bulk supplies.
  • Waste oil storage tanks
  • Tank cleaning services

Local authorities have waste oil tanks at landfill sites. Some local authorities provide special tanks for used oil at each of their tipheads - ask your local authority for a list of such locations.

Many garages, petrol or filling stations provide facilities for receipt of waste oil. Check with your local garage if there are such facilities, and if not, ask them to provide some. Be prepared to comply with conditions about containers, etc. Local garages accept quantities as small as 5 litres.

Become a Waste Oil Watch Dog. If your friends service their own cars or motorcycles at home or if you are in your local garage, ask them what they do with their waste oil.

Arrange with your local authority, community group, or other voluntary organisation to publish and/or distribute a directory of sites to which oil for recycling may be brought.

Dos AND Don'ts

The mineral oil must be free from contamination by water, petrol, antifreeze, paint thinner, carburetor cleaner, solvents, dirt or rags.

  • Reuse your used oil containers if possible. It is difficult to recycle plastic contaminated with oil. Never dispose of these containers at the recycling bank or centre.
  • Help keep recycling banks or centres clean.
  • Minimise spillages from containers when pouring into collection banks.

Addresses of Recycling Banks/Collection Facilities/County/City based lists of all recycling facilities are compiled by county councils or county borough corporations. ENFO may also have some addresses.