What is Used Oil Used Oil as defined by the EPA is as follows: Used oil is any oil that has been refined from crude oil or synthetic oil that has been used and as a result of such use is contaminated by chemical or physical impurities. Examples would be dirt, metal scrapings, water or chemicals mixed with the oil, so it no longer performs. To meet the EPA’s definition of used oil, a substance must meet each of the following three criteria: Origin- Used oil must have been refined from crude oil or made from synthetic materials. Animal and vegetable oils are excluded from the EPA’s definition of used oil. Use- Oils used as lubricants, hydraulic fluids, heat transfer fluids, buoyants, and for other similar purposes are considered used oil. Materials such as bottom clean out waste from virgin fuel oil storage tanks or virgin fueloil recovered from a spill, do not meet EPA’s definition of used oil because these oils have never been used. EPA’s definition also excludes products used as cleaning agents used solely for their solvent properties, as well as certain petroleum-derived products like antifreeze and kerosene. Contaminants- The final criteria is whether or not the oil is contaminated with either physical or chemical impurities as a result of being used. This aspect includes residues and contaminants generated from handling, storing, and processing used oil. Physical contaminants could include metal shavings, sawdust, or dirt. Chemical contaminants could include solvents, halogens, or saltwater. Once oil has met the above criteria and it has been established as a “used oil” it can be recycled in various ways even though it may have contaminants such as lead and impurities such as water. For more detailed information on “used oil” refer to Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 279.
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