Used Oil Generators

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 the following:

• Vehicle maintenance shops
• Aircraft maintenance shops
• 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

To learn more about RCRA visit our RCRA Hazardous Waste Safety Online Training web page.