Tips for Handling Used Oil

You might find the list of types of businesses that handle used oil surprising: grocery stores, car repair shops, service stations, quick-lubes, farms, metal working industries, airports, marinas, schools with auto shops, construction operations, and governments or businesses with fleets of vehicles or heavy equipment.  All of these businesses exist in our City of Carlsbad.  Most of our citizens maintain their own vehicles through the professional services of automobile dealers and service centers, though a small percentage do at least minor service, particularly oil changes, to their own vehicles.  This category of citizen is known as a Do-It-Yourselfer, or DIYer. All Carlsbad citizens who deal with used oil should be aware of certain handling procedures that will ensure safety and the ability to recycle this oil.

Helpful Best Practices for Home or Office

Storm drains carry rainwater away from developed areas to prevent flooding, but are not connected to sanitary sewer systems and treatment plants. Untreated storm water and the pollutants it carries flow directly into creeks, lagoons and the ocean. Listed here are helpful best practices for citizens at work or at home, when handling used oil, chemicals, or other harmful solvents:

• It is illegal to dump oil or other hazardous chemicals down ANY drain, onto ANY ground, or into ANY body of water.
• It is NOT efficient, safe or responsible to combine different liquids in one container. DO NOT use an old chemical or detergent container to hold other liquids.
• Take steps to stop oil before it hits the floor.
• Never hose down a work or spill area.
• Use dry clean-up methods, such as "hydrophobic" mops:
  • Do not absorb different hazardous liquids with the same mop or rag.
  • Dedicate different containers and different absorbents for each liquid.
  • Never let your rags saturate.
  • Keep these rags in closed containers, and treat them as hazardous material.
• Be aware of nearby Storm drains:
  • Label nearby Storm drains
  • Block all storm drains with an impervious barrier such as sandbags or berms, plugs or rubber mats prior to washing. Be sure to clear drain later.
  • Wash vehicles and equipment on grass or gravel so wash water can seep into the ground, rather than run off impervious surfaces.
  • Take advantage of low spots on impervious surfaces to trap water that can then be pumped or vacuumed.
  • Make sure mobile and detail service providers follow these rules, and if you are using subcontractors in business, inform them as well.
• Soapy or oily vehicle wash waters must be pumped to the sanitary sewer system and may require installation of an oil-water separator.
  • Use self-contained sinks or tanks when cleaning with solvents.
  • Do not allow flush wastes, debris or sediment to go down sanitary sewer drains, let alone storm drains-use a vacuum or pump.
  • Soapy water can go into your sink.
• Best Business Practices include:
  • Employee training in handling hazardous substances;
  • A posted spill response plan and hazardous substance best practice or housekeeping tips;
  • Convenient access to brooms and absorbents
  • Accountable relationships with Subcontractors regarding legal requirements and environmental responsibility.
• Reduce your use of hazardous materials:
  • Use phosphate free detergents when cleaning equipment
  • Avoid using engine and wheel cleaners or degreasers
  • Keep your car and equipment in good shape (tune-ups, etc.) to use less oil and to leak less oil.
• Use a commercial car wash-they reuse their water and make sure it goes to the right drains.

Before you begin working with oil, you may want to design your work area to assure safe handling. The Carlsbad Storm Water Protection Program division of the Public Works Department has developed helpful guidelines regarding the design of car-washing areas, oil-changing areas, fueling areas and trash collection areas for both businesses and private citizens.