New rules on waste oil

THE Environment Agency has launched a new awareness campaign reminding companies to dispose of waste oil safely and legally or face tough penalties. Under the new Waste Incineration Directive, to be implemented on 28th December 2005, businesses that incinerate waste oils, such as coating plants, must meet strict new environmental regulations. As a result, the price of waste oil disposal is expected to rise.

The Environment Agency's Oil Care campaign manager, Richard Martin, is reminding all companies to use registered waste collectors when disposing of waste oil, or face prosecution by the Agency.

‘Waste oils are hazardous to the environment and to human health, they must be managed, stored and disposed of safely. The illegal disposal of waste oils will not be tolerated – you will be prosecuted,’ he said.

Penalties for offences, such as tipping oil down the drain or uncontrolled burning of waste oil, can be up to £50,000, or more in a Crown Court.

At present, waste oil collected in the UK is burnt as a fuel. However, environmental standards for using waste oil in this way are being tightened to help reduce atmospheric emissions. Because not all current users of waste oil will be able to meet these standards, producers of waste oil may be forced to pay more for disposal.

The Environment Agency says that, apart from the potential increase in the disposal fee, little else will change for businesses that are already meeting their legal Duty of Care with regard to storage, handling and disposal.

To help businesses stay within the law, the Environment Agency’s Oil Care campaign is offering advice on how to store and dispose of oils safely at: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/oilcare. Alternatively, for further information tel: (08708) 506506 or visit: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/newrulesonwaste