Who Qualifies as a Used Oil Generator?

Under RCRA regulations, a generator of used oil is "any person, by site, whose act or process produces used oil," or who "first causes used oil to become subject to regulation" (refer to 40 CFR 279.20). Common used oil generators include vehicle or aircraft maintenance shops and metals fabrication shops.

The following people and vessels are not considered to be generators of used oil:

• A household "do-it-yourselfer"
• A person who mixes oil with diesel fuel for use in the used oil generator's own vehicle
• A farmer who generates on average less than 25 gallons of used oil per month
• A vessel at sea or in port until the used oil is transported ashore

Generators of "do-it-yourself," or DIY, used oil are not subject to RCRA used oil regulations. However, some activities involving DIY used oil may be subject to other state and federal laws.

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