ECAR Fact Sheet for Texas
Used Oil

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

BACK to VIRTUAL TOUR

What You Need to Know

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.

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

Regulations

EPA views used oils, such as used engine oil, lubricating oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid and hydraulic fluid, as marketable products that can be sent off-site for recycling.  However, EPA also recognizes 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 off-site. 

In the state of Texas, used oil is not regulated as a hazardous waste if it is recycled or burned as a fuel. However, under Texas regulations, automotive recycling facilities are considered Used Oil Collection Centers, which means that they must follow certain registration and reporting requirements.

Collection Center Designation. In Texas, a used oil collection center (UOCC) is any facility that accepts, stores, and manages used oil collected from generators who bring in shipments less than 55 gallons. Collection centers also may accept used oil from household do-it-yourselfers in quantities less than five gallons.

If you operate a UOCC, you must register with the TCEQ within 30 days of operation. To register, fill out and return the Registration for Used Oil Collection Centers Form.

Once you are registered, re-registration of your UOCC is required by January 25 of odd numbered years. The Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will send all registrants a re-registration form by December 1 of the expiring year. Also, no later than January 25 of every year, UOCCs must report the amount of used oil collected during the previous year to the TCEQ. You may download the Annual Reporting Form for Used Oil Collection Centers.

To be eligible for the fee exemption on the sale of new automotive oil, a facility must be registered with the TCEQ as a UOCC, collect used oil from household do-it-yourselfers, and provide a service to the public.

Uses of Used Oil. 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.

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.

Many of the used oil regulations relate to good housekeeping practices. As a Used Oil Collection Center, you must:

• Label all storage containers or tanks with the words "Used Oil;"
• Store used oil in containers or tanks in good condition;
• If there is a leak of used oil: stop the leak, contain it, clean it up and properly manage the cleanup materials;
• Use a transporter with an EPA identification number to ship used oil off-site.

Used Oil Spill Prevention. If you handle oil or oil products at your facility, you may be subject to the Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations. These regulations require that companies prevent and contain discharges of oil or petroleum products. If you have any of the following oil storage capacities, you are subject to the SPCC regulations:

• A total above-ground storage capacity of 1,320 gallons; or
• Greater than 660 gallons capacity in a single above-ground container; or
• More than 42,000 gallons underground storage capacity.

In determining whether these regulations apply, you must consider the capacity of your tanks and containers and not the actual amount of oil stored. You should be aware that the definition of oil is very broad and includes heating oil, crude oil, mineral oil, gasoline and diesel fuel. If you are subject to the SPCC rules, you must provide secondary containment for oil or petroleum product storage units to contain any releases. You must also prepare a written SPCC plan that describes all measure taken at your facility to prevent and control a release of oil or petroleum products.

The SPCC plan must be written within six months after you begin storing oil and it must be updated every three years, or whenever significant changes in oil storage occur. The SPCC plan must be signed by your management and certified by a professional engineer. Your management must review and sign the plan every three years, even when there are no changes. The SPCC plan must be kept on-site and be available for review.

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

1. Stop the release;
2. Contain the released used oil;
3. Clean up and properly manage the released used oil and other materials; and
4. If necessary, repair or replace any leaking used oil storage containers or tanks prior to returning them to service.
5. Notify the TCEQ Spill Hotline by calling 1-800-832-8224.

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

Texas Requirements for Used Oil Recycling

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

Self-Audit Checklist

When an inspector comes to your facility, there are certain things he or she checks 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 of used oil occurs, it must be contained and reported to the TCEQ.
4. Do you have a SPCC plan? Verify whether your facility is subject to the SPCC rules. If so, maintain your plan, update it every three years and keep on-site for review.
5. 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. 
6. 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, carburetor 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 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.
• Try to prevent spills when dismantling vehicles. If spills do occur, clean up with rags. After wringing out the saturated rag into the used oil drum, you can have the rags laundered.
• Avoid using absorbents for oil spills unless there is a threat of the spill spreading to soil or water. Oily absorbents must be evaluated prior to disposal to determine whether they are hazardous or nonhazardous.
• 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

1. For general questions, contact the TCEQ Regional Office nearest you.
2. To report a spill/release or other pollution emergencies, contact the Emergency 24-hour Hotline at 1-800-832-8224.
3. To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact 1-888-777-3186.

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

1. Used Oil Filters.
2. Hazardous Waste.

Other Relevant Resources

1. Recycling Used Oil and Used Oil Filters in Texas

   BACK to VIRTUAL TOUR