Waste Oil Versus Used Oil

It is important to distinguish between "used oil" and "waste oil." These two terms do not refer to the same thing, and each type is handled differently under the RCRA regulations.

Under RCRA regulations, to be considered as used oil, the oil must actually have been used and as a result of that use be contaminated.

Waste oil, on the other hand, includes the following categories of oils:

• Oils that have never been used (for example, a spill of virgin oil)
• Residue or bottom waste from an oil storage tank
• Other oils that have never been used but are contaminated

Under RCRA, such waste oils may not be managed as used oil. Waste oil that is contaminated with a hazardous material must be handled as hazardous waste.

To learn more about RCRA safety standards visit our RCRA Refresher Online Training web page.