How Waste Oil Heaters Help Businesses Meet EPA Regulations

Companies like auto dealerships, car washes, service stations, trucking companies, and companies with fleets of vehicles are all classified as used oil “Generators” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. If you’re one of those businesses that produce used oil, you must comply with EPA regulations for storing and disposing of it — and waste oil heaters can help.

When storing used oil, the EPA requires that you label all containers and tanks that contain it as “used oil.” Those vessels need to be in sound condition—no signs of rust, leaks, or deterioration. If the tanks have any structural defects, you must fix them immediately or replace the containers.

You have a responsibility to take measures to prevent leaks and spills. As you transfer used oil from equipment and machinery, take care when putting it into its storage container. Also, make sure you have absorbent materials available at your facility in case you have a mishap.

Of course, you can only store so much used oil at your location, so eventually, you must remove it from your site. The EPA has regulations for that, too. Anyone transporting used oil must have a valid EPA ID number.

As a used oil generator, you must use a transporter with an EPA ID number for taking your used oil from your property. The only exception is if the used oil shipment is less than 55 gallons—however, realize the handler may still need a state or local permit.

You need to be extremely careful to choose an experienced and reputable transporter because “cradle to grave” laws hold you responsible for the safe disposal your used oil, even after it leaves your site.

Waste Oil Heating – A Solution That Makes Sense

One approved, safe, and effective way to dispose of used oil is to get a waste oil furnace. According to the EPA, “Burners of used oil that meet a certain set of quality standards, ‘the used oil specifications,’ are not regulated under the used oil management standards, as long as the used oil is burned in appropriate boilers, furnaces, or incinerators.”

With a waste oil furnace, you have no need to find and pay for a qualified transporter to remove used oil from your site. Instead, you burn your waste oil and turn it into free heat for your facility. So, you have peace of mind knowing exactly where your used oil is all the time, AND you cut your business expenses in the process.

Want To Learn More?

The EPA’s website has more details about the requirements for handling, storing, and disposing of used oil, so we encourage you to go there for additional information about the regulations that apply to you. Also, check with your state or local environmental agency because they may have stricter requirements for managing used oil.

To find out more about how waste oil heating can help you meet EPA regulations while giving you a way to cut your energy costs, contact us. At Clean Energy Heating Systems, we design and manufacture waste oil furnaces to help businesses economically heat their facilities and comply with the EPA’s rules and regulations.