What Is Used Oil?

Used oil is any oil that has been refined from crude oil, or any synthetic oil that has been used, handled, transported, or stored, and as a result of such use, handling, transportation, or storage, is contaminated by physical or chemical impurities, and is no longer suitable for its originally intended purpose.

• Used oil includes motor oils, metalworking fluids, emulsions, transmission fluids, brake fluids, coolants, heating media, refrigeration oils, electrical oils, buoyants, and hydraulic fluids
• Used oil does not include antifreeze, cleaning agents, and animal and vegetable oils
• Gasoline, jet, and diesel fuels are not used oil; however, if mixed with used oil, these fuels must be regulated as used oil
• Used oil is presumed to be recyclable. If it is not recyclable, it is waste oil.
  • The U.S. EPA considers burning of used oil for energy recovery is considered to be a form of recycling). In Arizona, most used oil is burned for energy recovery. Two common examples of devices in which used oil is burned for energy recovery are space heaters and asphalt hot plants.
  • For more information regarding ways used oil can be recycled, see Managing Used Oil: Advice for Small Businesses on the U.S. EPA's website.

Where Does Used Oil Come From?

Used oil is generated from many different sources. The most common sources are listed below:

• Household do-it-yourselfers
  • A person who generates used oil from personally maintaining your personal vehicles and equipment, is a household do-it-yourselfer (DIYer) used oil generator.
• Automotive maintenance facilities
  • When an automotive maintenance facility changes oil it often charges a small fee to dispose of the used oil. The description of this fee on the invoice is variously referred to as a used oil disposal fee, an EPA fee, an environmental fee, etc. There is currently no state law requiring or authorizing this fee. A company may charge whatever fee it deems is appropriate to offset the costs it incurs for a transporter to pick up the used oil.
• Manufacturing companies
• Electric generating stations
• Mining/smelter operations
• Air conditioning repair facilities
• Plus many other types of businesses

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