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September, 2008

Used Oil as hazardous waste

Q. What percentage of states has designated used oil as hazardous or special waste?

A. According to the CCAR, about 30% of the states have designated used oil as a hazardous waste or a special waste.  See http://www.ccar-greenlink.org/Search/1201body.htm.

Many of ECAR’s state fact sheets on used oil, however begin with the following text:

Used oil is not inherently hazardous, but if it contains certain additives, or if it has become contaminated with other solvents, it can fall under the hazardous waste rules. You can avoid the burden of treating used oil as a hazardous waste:

• If you do not contaminate it with other fluids, and
• If you handle and store it properly, and send it to an approved used oil processor by a certified transporter. http://www.ecarcenter.org/AL/virtualtour.cfm

But, in other states, such as Mass, you'll see the following:

Unlike most states, the State of Massachusetts has not adopted the federal regulations that apply to used oil management. Massachusetts’ requirements for "waste oil" are stricter than the federal rules and more complicated. Under state law, waste oil is designated as a listed hazardous waste and is regulated as a hazardous waste if it is destined for disposal. http://www.ecarcenter.org/ma/ma-usedoil.htm.