How to Properly Dispose of Waste Oil

There are many uses for oil-based components, ranging from cooking in the home to maintaining machine parts. Typically, fat, grease, and oils are considered oil-based components. These items should, however, be discarded after usage. When waste oil is not properly disposed of, it can cause numerous environmental problems.

The contamination of soil, groundwater, and surface water endangers aquatic organisms and local ecosystems. Waste oil slows down the decomposition process and can adhere to objects ranging from bird feathers to animal fur and beach sand. Contaminated waterways are also a major problem caused by waste oil. Waste oil, therefore, must always be disposed of properly, as it may contain heavy metals and toxic chemicals and cannot be dissolved.

You should always remember that leftover oil can be refined and recycled repeatedly and still be useful for other purposes before disposal. With that in mind, here are 10 great ways of waste oil disposal and the benefits of reusing and recycling oil.

Waste Oil Disposal: 10 Great Ideas

1. Take proper measures to collect and recycle waste oil

In order to dispose of waste oil properly, it is important to store it in the right container. To transport oil safely, it is best to use the original container. Keeping the container tightly sealed will prevent leaks that could harm the environment.

The type of container for storage should be chosen carefully (especially if one plans to recycle or reuse the oil), avoiding those that contain antifreeze, paint, or chemicals. It is also important to ensure that the used oil is transferred into the storage container in a careful manner to prevent any spillage. A clearly marked storage container should then be tightly sealed.

2. Learn what to dispose of and the right way to do so

It is imperative that you completely understand the type of waste oil you are going to discard before you dispose of it. Knowing this will help you dispose of it properly. You can be exposed to untold dangers by burning materials you don’t completely understand.

Some oils can be safely disposed of by heaters and boilers, but other oils may have to be disposed of by a professional. If you become familiar with the type of oil you are dealing with, you will be in a better position to choose the safest and most effective disposal methods.

3. Ensure that waste oil is stored safely

The waste oil that you change from your machine isn’t likely to be disposed of the same day, so make sure it is properly labeled and put in a safe place where no one without the necessary information can get to it, especially if children and pets are present. It is important to not store waste oil at the same location as unused oil to prevent confusion, particularly if it is kept in a normal fuel storage area.

4. Rely on expert services

You should go to a local waste oil removal company if you do not have the capability of disposing of the waste oil by yourself. Almost every waste oil service provider possesses the necessary equipment and facilities to ensure safe and efficient waste oil disposal. In choosing such a service, however, price and expertise should also be considered.

5. Make sure it doesn’t go down the drain or septic system

You should never pour hydraulic fluid, grease, or any other type of oil down the drain. They will clog drainage and sewer systems. Generally, all waste materials should be stored properly and labeled with the objective of disposing of them later in an appropriate manner, sent for recycling, or received by a professional.

6. Keep your equipment and vehicles in good working order

Your equipment or vehicle needs to be maintained properly for effective waste oil disposal. Maintenance-free machines and vehicles are easier to clean and reduce leaks and the need for replacement oil, thus reducing the amount of used oil that must be disposed of.

7. When burning the oil for disposal, use an appropriate heater

Burning oil is a good way to dispose of it, but you need to be sure to use the right heater. In order to recycle oil and turn it into more useful products, the used oil can be burned. Burning waste oil is a safe and cost-effective approach.

If you use a heater that is designed specifically for removing waste oil, you must ensure that it is efficient. It is important not to confuse carbon steel boilers with ordinary cast iron boilers, which are made from cast iron.

8. Use only approved equipment for oil waste disposal

Note that some waste boilers can only efficiently burn a limited number of oils. It is important to invest in high-quality equipment, as low-quality or unreliable equipment is limited in what it can burn. Make sure the waste oil disposal equipment you purchase is approved by the appropriate authorities. Burning waste oils is safe and effective in almost all boilers and heaters with a certification.

9. Comply with the oil disposal guidelines

The manufacturer’s guidelines should always be followed when disposing of used oil. When in doubt, it is always advisable to refer to the manual. A variety of boilers are designed with different features for proper waste oil disposal. Others are designed to make disposal processes as simple as possible and, therefore, may require a little familiarization before usage.

10. Ensure that contaminated parts are disposed of

The most common mistake people make when disposing of waste oil is not removing other contaminated parts. People often dispose of the motor oil and forget the oil filter after an oil change, but that is not an acceptable practice. As the filter contains oil contaminants, it can pollute the environment just as much as used oil. This necessitates its proper disposal.

For more information about oil and lubricants for machinery, contact Great West Equipment. You can also call us at 1-888-492-4365.