Recycling guide: what to do with used fluids
How should garages dispose of used oil?
It’s important to handle oil responsibly to avoid environmental pollution. To dispose of used oil, you should:
Reach out to a local council or waste collection service for planned collections
Use an approved recycling centre
Find a designated oil bank
Use a self-service oil disposal kit to solidify the oil
Here are three standard approaches.
Recycling
Oil can be reprocessed to create new lubricants or be used as an energy source.
Authorised disposal facilities
Approved waste oil facilities guarantee proper disposal.
Collection initiatives
The easiest and most convenient option for garages is to use a waste oil collection service run by oil suppliers or waste management authorities.
How is used oil recycled?
Used oil is cleaned of dirt and contaminants at a specialist facility. It can be recycled and refined into new engine oil, lubricants, fuel oil, or used as a raw material.
Dewatering - the dirty engine oil is put in a large settling tank that separates the water and oil. The water is extracted.
Filtering - solids, additives and inorganic material are filtered out and demineralised to create a cleaner burner fuel for further refinement.
Propane de-asphalting - heavier bituminous fractions are extracted to create a clean base oil.
Distilling - the oil is boiled to separate different components and create a re-refined oil that can be used for other purposes.
How should garages dispose of used coolant and brake fluid?
Coolant and brake fluid are classed as hazardous waste. If this waste isn't disposed of correctly, it can harm people, animals and the environment. You should take used fluids to a hazardous waste disposal service.
You can find your nearest disposal service on the government website.
How do specialists recycle engine coolant?
There are a few different ways of recycling engine coolant. The most common one is vacuum distillation, which involves using a vacuum to draw the coolant into a drum. It is then boiled to extract the water. The water is vaporised, and ion exchange resins are introduced to the antifreeze, separating it from contaminants.
Legal obligations for recycling fluids
The disposal of hazardous fluids is regulated in the UK by legislation, including the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which establishes a duty of care for businesses to ensure suitable waste management. Failure to comply can lead to significant fines and legal consequences.
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