Used oil environmental hazard

Citation

Wilson, B. (1998), "Used oil environmental hazard", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 50 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilt.1998.01850caf.001

Used oil environmental hazard

Used oil environmental hazard

Bill Wilson

Keywords: Oil filters, Oils, Pollution

New research highlights used oil filters as a significant source of waste oil pollution

In the largest study of its kind to be carried out in the UK, new research indicates that over 7,000 tonnes of oil could be disposed of within used oil filters every year. The research on 1,000 filters was carried out by Save Waste and Prosper Ltd on behalf of the Environment Agency's Oil Care Campaign. Save Waste and Prosper is a company that offers specialist advice and research on sustainable waste management.

There are an estimated 25 million cars, 2 million light commercial vehicles and 0.5 million heavy goods vehicles in the UK (Mintel Market Intelligence, 1996; National Household Hazardous Waste Forum Used Oil Working Group report: Increasing the Recycling of Used Lubricating Oil by DIY Motorists, 1995). Based on an average change of oil and filter of between one and two times per year for cars and six times a year for commercial vehicles, the total number of used oil filters arising from road vehicles each year is estimated at 51 million. This information is based on best estimates and is likely to alter slightly if more concrete data are forthcoming. Save Waste and Prosper's research drained and crushed 1,000 used oil filters to find out how much residual oil was left after removal from a vehicle. Results show that filters from cars and light commercial vehicles contain on average 0.14 litres of oil and filters from HGVs contain on average 0.30 litres. Undrained filters may contain about 40 per cent more than this. The research estimates that over 7,000 tonnes of oil in total is disposed of in oil filters every year. From the findings of this research, the estimated amount of waste oil arising from different vehicle groups is shown in Table I.

This study helps the Environment Agency's ongoing research into the figures on national waste oil arisings. Research carried out in 1995 indicates that 19,000 tonnes of waste oil is "disappearing" to the environment. The findings of this study show that up to 40 per cent of this could be attributed to oil filters.

The likely disposal routes for oil filters were also investigated by consulting with members of the National Household Hazardous Waste Forum Oil working Group and other related industries. Of the waste oil filters arising from commercial garages, industry estimates indicate that between 10-20 million are currently being recovered for recycling and that this figure is increasing rapidly. This means that between 20-40 per cent of the waste oil filters produced annually are recovered in this way. The remainder should be disposed of as special waste. However, it is thought that many small garages, and even some larger ones, are still disposing of oil filters into waste skips where they are destined for general waste landfill sites.

Of particular concern is the activity of DIY motorists who, on changing their oil filters, are left with virtually no disposal alternative but the domestic waste bin. An estimated 25 per cent of services are carried out by DIY motorists. The findings of this study indicate that DIY motorists are probably responsible for adding 1,000 tonnes of waste oil to domestic waste. Oil recovery banks for used oil are provided by many local authorities to collect oil from the DIY motorist but very few (less than five) provide facilities for collecting oil filters.

Save Waste and Prosper Ltd is continuing its work in this field alongside the Oil Care Campaign and the National Household Hazardous Waste Forum Oil Working Group. The Oil Care Campaign is a joint initiative involving the Environment Agency, the petroleum industry, local authorities and retailers. The aim is to reduce the number of pollution incidents involving fuels and oils through improved understanding of the causes of such pollution and how it can be prevented. This research and other strategies for reducing the quantities of used oil reaching the environment was the subject of detailed discussions at an Oil Working Group Seminar held on 17 April.

For further information on the research contact Juliet Whiteley at Save Waste and Prosper Ltd, Tel: 0113 243 8777; e-mail: swap@geo2.poptel.org.uk. Copies of the oil filters report are available at a cost of £12.50.