Oil Recycling and Disposal

Guidelines for Oil Disposal and Compliance

Used Oil Definition

Used oil is petroleum-based or synthetic oil that has been put into service and, through use, has become contaminated with physical or chemical impurities.

Oil Recycling

Used oil is a valuable resource that can be recycled for utilization of its lubricant or fuel value.

University shops, farms and research labs can all generate used oil. We encourage all faculty and staff to help with waste minimization by working with EHS to recycle their used oil.

EHS uses an outside vendor who recycles the oils at a minimal cost to the University.

Used oils that can be recycled:

• Lubricants
• Hydraulic Fluids
• Motor Oil
• Pump Oil

Waste Oil

Some oils must be disposed of as waste and must be collected separately.

Waste oils include:

• Refrigeration oil- Heat Transfer oil
• Any oil contaminated with any quantity of the following:
  • Fuels (gasoline, diesel, kerosene, fuel oil, jet fuels)
  • Creosote
  • Solvents (lacquer thinner, mineral spirits, turpentine, paint thinner, degreasers, Stoddard solvent, Varsol, white spirits, oleum, naphtha, petroleum naphtha)
• Duplicating Fluid
• Aromatic Hydrocarbons
• Petroleum Distillates

Oil Pickup

All oils need to be picked up by EHS for recycling or disposal. Submit pickup requests online.

Contact

Environmental Health and Safety
hazwaste@purdue.edu
765-494-0121