The system of management of waste oils was established in 2007.
Waste oils management is carried out to ensure their separate collection and utilisation of valuable properties, and to reduce to the lowest possible level adverse impact of waste oils on human health and the environment.
Waste oils are mineral or synthetic lubricating oils or industrial oils that have become unsuitable for their originally intended purpose, for example oils used in internal combustion engines and gear oils, lubricating oils, turbine oils, and hydraulic oils.
Waste oils are classified as hazardous waste since one litre of oil can pollute one million litres of water, or in the case of spillage on the soil, it leads to permanent contamination as they are mostly not biodegradable.
According to the degree of pollution, waste oils are classified into four categories:
Category 1 - waste mineral oils with a halogen content below 0.2% and total polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated terphenyls below 20 mg/kg. These oils can be treated and reused to produce fresh oils
When managing waste oils, it is prohibited to:
Waste oils management is carried out to ensure their separate collection and utilisation of valuable properties, and to reduce to the lowest possible level adverse impact of waste oils on human health and the environment.
Waste oils are mineral or synthetic lubricating oils or industrial oils that have become unsuitable for their originally intended purpose, for example oils used in internal combustion engines and gear oils, lubricating oils, turbine oils, and hydraulic oils.
Waste oils are classified as hazardous waste since one litre of oil can pollute one million litres of water, or in the case of spillage on the soil, it leads to permanent contamination as they are mostly not biodegradable.
According to the degree of pollution, waste oils are classified into four categories:
Category 1 - waste mineral oils with a halogen content below 0.2% and total polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated terphenyls below 20 mg/kg. These oils can be treated and reused to produce fresh oils
Category 2 - waste oils of mineral, synthetic and plant origin with a halogen content above 0.2% and below 0.5%, and total polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated terphenyls above 20 mg/kg and below 30 mg/kg. These oils can be used as fuel in power and production plants with an installed capacity of devices greater than or equal to 3 MW or in clinker furnaces in cement works
Category 3 - waste oils of unknown origin and any other waste oils with a halogen content above 0.5%m total polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated terphenyls above 30 mg/kg and flash point below 550 °C. These oils must be incinerated in hazardous waste incinerator with a minimum efficiency of 99.99%
Category 4 - polyglycols/oliglycols, waste oils based on polyglycols/oliglycols, which have to be collected and recovered and/or disposed of separately in order not to be mixed with oils in Categories I and II, and due special requirements in the disposal process.
When managing waste oils, it is prohibited to:
- discharge waste oils into surface waters, groundwater, coastal waters and drainage systems,
- dispose and/or discharge waste oils that are harmful to the soil and any uncontrolled release of residues from the treatment of waste oils,
- recover and/or dispose of waste oils that cause air pollution above the level prescribed by applicable regulations and affect human health and flora and fauna,
- collect waste oils in containers that are not properly equipped for the reception of waste oils.