Used Oil

ECAR Fact Sheet for Maryland
Used Oil

Regulations
Self-Audit Checklist
Best Management Practices
Contacts
Related ECAR Fact Sheets
Other Relevant Resources

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The following fact sheet was prepared by the ECAR Center staff. Once prepared, each ECAR Center fact sheet undergoes a review process with the applicable state environmental agency(ies). You can check on the status of the review process here. Please read the disclaimer on the status page. While we have tried to present a summary of the essential information on this topic, you should be aware that other items, such as local regulations, may apply to you.

What You Need to Know

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

There are a number of other restrictions you should be aware of. If you store used oil in an aboveground tank bigger than 10,000 gallons, or in a regulated underground tank, you will need to register the tank. There are special procedures you will need to follow in case of spills.

This fact sheet will tell you what you need to do to avoid problems with used oil.

Regulations

EPA views used oil as a marketable product that can be sent offsite for recycling. However, they also recognize that if used oil is not properly handled, it can cause significant environmental damage. For these reasons, used oil has special rules that don’t apply to some other materials. These rules deal with the storage of oil, cleanup of spills and transport of oil offsite. Each of these requirements is summarized below. At the end of this section there are links to the applicable federal and state regulations.

Uses of Used Oil. Used oil should be recycled. It is illegal to dispose of used oil improperly. Note the following important restrictions:

Do not discharge used oil to sewers, drainage ditches, septic tanks, or streams.
Do not dispose of used oil in landfills or mix used oil with wastes that will be disposed of in landfills.
Do not mix used oil with gasoline or cleaning solvents. The resulting mixture may be a hazardous waste. This classification brings into effect a lot of additional regulations.
Do not use used oil for road oiling, dust control, weed control or for similar purposes.

Used oil may be burned onsite in a space heater that has a capacity of not more than 0.5 Mbtu/h provided that the combustion gases are vented to the outdoors.

Storage of Used Oil. Used oil must be stored in tanks or containers (including DOT approved drums) that are in good condition. This means:

No severe rusting;
No bulging or major dents; and
No visible leaks.

All used oil containers and aboveground tanks and fill pipes for underground tanks must be clearly labeled with the words "Used Oil."

Aboveground used oil storage tanks larger than 10,000 gallons must be registered with Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). To find out how to register a tank, call MDE Oil Control Program at 410-537-3443. If you plan to replace a storage tank or remove a tank from service, notify MDE before you begin the work.

If underground tanks are used to store used oil, then some special rules apply:

All regulated underground storage tanks within Maryland are required to be registered through the Underground Storage Tank Notification (call 410-537-3442 for compliance information).
All underground tanks storing motor fuels must have a corrosion protection and spill/overfill protection, as well as an approved detection or monitoring system for leaks.
When an underground tank is taken out of service, a technician certified by MDE must remove it.

Used Oil Spills. If a spill occurs, you must perform the following cleanup steps:

Stop the release;
Contain the released used oil;
Clean up and properly manage the released used oil and other materials; and
If necessary, repair or replace any leaking used oil storage containers or tanks prior to returning them to service.
Report the spill to 1-866-633-4686 within 2 hours.

If you store used oil outdoors, the storage area must be addressed in your Spill Prevention and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan (see ECAR Fact Sheet Spill Prevention and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan).

Used Oil Transport. When you send used oil off-site, it must be transported by a state licensed transporter. Check with your MDE district office or the Oil Control Program (410-537-3412) for a current list of approved transporters.

Links to the Regulations. Use the following links to view the regulations pertaining to used oil storage and management.

Standards for the Management of Used Oil, Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR Part 279

Technical Standards And Corrective Action Requirements For Owners And Operators Of Underground Storage Tanks (UST), Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR Part 280

The Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) Related to Oil Pollution and Tank Management

Self-Audit Checklist

When an inspector comes to your facility, there are certain things they check to see if you are in compliance with environmental regulations. It makes good sense for you to think ahead and perform a "self-audit" and catch and correct problems before they result in penalties. Also, there are some compliance incentives associated with self-audits (see Audit Policy Page).

Use the following list to audit your used oil storage areas and management procedures.

Is used oil stored in drums, tanks or other containers that are in good condition? Open containers, and rusting or leaking containers cannot be used for oil storage.
Are used oil storage containers and tanks properly labeled? All used oil storage tanks must be labeled "Used Oil." If underground tanks are used, then the fill pipes should be labeled.
Are aboveground storage tanks with a capacity of more than 10,000 gallons registered with MDE? Aboveground used oil storage tanks with a capacity of greater than 10,000 gallons must be registered with MDE.
Are underground storage tanks registered with MDE? Most underground used oil storage tanks must be registered with the Underground Storage Tank Notification.
Is the area around the used oil storage containers free of releases? Releases must be stopped and the released material cleaned up and managed properly. If a release used oil occurred, it should have been reported to MDE.
Are outdoor used oil storage areas addressed in your Spill Prevention and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan? Your SPCC must identify potential sources of stormwater pollution and specify appropriate measures to reduce the discharge of pollutants.
Is used oil transported to a recovery facility by a certified transporter? Check your records and verify that all shipments of used oil were removed from your property by a state certified transporter. You can check on your transporter’s certification by contacting MDE.
Is solvent or other materials mixed with used oil? Verify that there are separate, clearly labeled containers for each type of material, and that used oil is not mixed with solvents and other materials.

Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Most regulations tell you what you have to do to be in compliance, but they don’t explain how to do it. That’s where "best management practices" come into play. BMPs are proven methods that help you to get into compliance and stay there. The following BMPs are recommended for used oil storage areas and management procedures.

Train your employees on the proper methods for handling used oil.
Do not contaminate used oil with even small amounts of gasoline, brake cleaner, carb cleaner, or other solvents. Even small amounts of solvents turn recyclable oil into a hazardous waste.
Keep storage containers closed when not actively adding or removing material.
When labeling drums, include the accumulation start date for storing used oil.
When storing drums keep an aisle space between drums to allow for inspection for leaks and damage.
Install secondary containment to prevent the release of used oil to the environment.
Inspect containers and secondary containment structures on a weekly basis to be certain that they are in good condition. Keep written records of these inspections for at least 3 years.
Keep the secondary containment valve closed when not in use.
Keep secondary containment structures free of debris.
Maintain spill material and equipment near used oil storage areas.
Before contracting a transporter for your used oil, make sure to check for the transporter’s state certification.
Get receipts for used oil shipments and store them in your records for at least 3 years.

Contacts

For technical information on underground storage tanks, contact MDE Oil Control Program at 410-537-3443.
To report oil spills, contact 1-866-633-4686 (Available 24 hours a day).

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

Used Oil Filters.

Other Relevant Resources

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