Many businesses – from manufacturers to farms and construction firms to restaurants – will produce waste oil. Waste oil is any oil which has been used, or which is unsuitable for purpose.
There are many different types of waste oil, including:
- Engine oil
- Diesel, gas oil and kerosene
- Cooking oil
- Hydraulic oil
- Gearbox oil
- Aviation fuel
- Marine oil
- Turbine oil
Any waste that comes from a commercial activity is business waste. If you use part of your home to run a business eg repairing cars from home, the waste oil from that work is business waste. You must not dispose of commercial waste oil at a household waste recycling facility (‘the tip’).
Waste oil is categorised as hazardous waste and can pollute the environment. That is why it is a legal requirement to store and dispose of it correctly.
Waste oil, even waste cooking oil, should never be put in a bin or thrown down a drain or onto the ground, even in very small quantities. Knowing how to store and dispose of it properly can save time, money and potential legal problems.
Waste oil should be stored in a suitable container and separately from other forms of waste until you are ready to dispose of it. In addition, different waste oils shouldn’t be mixed.
If your business produces large quantities of waste oil, the best way to store it is in a bunded tank. This will prevent any leaks or spills and protect both the environment and your staff. Tanks for Everything sells a large range of bunded waste oil tanks to enable your business to store waste oil safely and legally.
Waste oil storage containers should be clearly labelled with all the relevant hazard symbols and also labelled ‘Waste oil’. These storage tanks should be stored away from other storage containers on site, to prevent cross-contamination.
Disposal of waste oil must be carried outby a licensed waste oil contractor. A licensed contractor will have the knowledge and equipment to handle your waste oil safely and in compliance with the law. There are a limited number of companies which are licensed to carry out this work.
As a business storing waste oil, it is your responsibility to check that the organisation which is collecting and disposing of your waste oil is licensed to handle waste oil. If you arrange for an unlicensed business to collect it, or if you transport it yourself without a license, your business will be liable to prosecution.
When a licensed business collects your waste oil, it will provide you with paperwork confirming the exact type of waste oil it has removed and the quantity. These records should be kept by your company for a minimum of two years.
When it comes to waste oil disposal, there is no margin for error. If you get it wrong, you could cause pollution or face a hefty fine. That is why you should always get licensed professionals to deal with the disposal on your behalf and manage it safely and responsibly.
