Waste Oil Directive
This Directive applies to any mineral-based lubrication or industrial oils which have become unfit for their originally intended use. Member States must ensure that waste oils are collected and disposed of (by processing, destruction, storage or tipping above or under ground). They must give priority to the processing of waste oils by regeneration, i.e. by refining.
Where this process is not used, other methods may be considered: combustion, destruction, storage or tipping. The Directive stipulates the conditions under which this must occur; in particular, it allows undertakings to collect and/or dispose of waste oils.
The following are banned:
- any discharge into inland surface water, ground water, territorial sea and drainage systems;
- any deposit and/or discharge of waste oils harmful to the soil and any uncontrolled discharge of residues resulting from the processing of waste oils;
- any processing causing air pollution which exceeds the level prescribed by existing provisions.
Any undertaking which collects waste oils is subject to registration and national supervision, including possibly a system of permits. Any undertaking which disposes of waste oils must obtain a permit.
The Directive does not authorise mixing waste oils with polychlorinated biphenlys and polychlorinated terphenyls (PCBs and PCTs) or with toxic and dangerous wastes.
Any oil:
- containing PCBs or PCTs must, without exception must be destroyed;
- containing toxic or dangerous products must be destroyed.
The full directive is found below...
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