BEST PRACTICES

Even when not required by environmental regulations, the following best practices are recommended for used oil.

1. Label all containers and tanks with the appropriate label depicting the containers’ contents. Care should be taken to avoid labels that may inappropriately denote a federal or state regulated waste.
2. Keep containers and tanks in good condition. Don’t allow tanks to rust, leak or deteriorate. Fix structural defects immediately.
3. Never store used oil in anything other than tanks and storage containers. Used oil may also be stored in units that are permitted to store regulated hazardous waste.
4. Take steps to prevent leaks and spills. Keep machinery, equipment containers, and tanks in good working condition and be careful when transferring used oil. Have sorbent materials available on site.
5. If a spill or leak occurs, stop the oil from flowing at the source. If a leak from a container or tank can’t be stopped, put the oil in another holding container or tank.
6. Contain spilled oil. For example, containment can be accomplished by erecting sorbent berms or by spreading a sorbent over the oil and surrounding area.
7. Clean up the oil and recycle the used oil, as you would have before it was spilled. Remove, repair or replace the defective tank or container immediately.
   
8. EPA encourages used oil generators to use a secondary containment system to prevent used oil from contaminating the environment.