|
| EUROPA > European Commission > Environment > Waste | Contact | Search on EUROPA |
WasteWaste Oils Waste oils are hazardous waste as they display some hazardous properties. Waste oils that are found in rivers, lakes and streams threaten aquatic life. Indeed, a litre of waste oil can contaminate a million litres of water. Furthermore, severe soil contamination can result from waste oils being left on the ground. The Waste Oil Directive 75/439/EEC, as last amended by Directive by Directive 2000/76/EC, is designed to create a harmonised system for the collection, storage, recovery and disposal of waste oils, such as lubricant oils for vehicles, turbines, gearboxes and engines, hydraulic oils, etc. The Directive also aims to protect the environment against the harmful effects of illegal dumping and of treatment operations. Thus, it is crucial to collect as much as possible this very valuable resource, in order to avoid the contamination of the environment and to be able to profit from the very high recovery potential of this waste stream. Industries, consumers, garages and do-it-yourselfers have to participate, by not dumping these precious liquids but by handing them to authorised collectors that will ensure their adequate recovery.Studies Legislation Summary of EU Waste Legislation on Waste oils Management of waste oils is governed by Council Directive 75/439/EEC of 16 June 1975 on the disposal of waste oils In order to simplify Union legislation, the provisions of Directive 75/439/EEC have been integrated into the revised Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC (in particular Article 21), which will repeal Directive 75/439/EEC with effect from 12 December 2010. In view of the results of studies that show that regeneration of waste oils is environmentally and economically no more beneficial than combustion, the revised WFD does not give an absolute priority to regeneration but at the same time allows those countries which want to promote regeneration to prescribe that waste oils should continue to be treated in this way. Reporting Reports on the implementation on waste legislation Stakeholder consultation on the revision/reveal of Directive 75/439/EEC The Commission carried out a consultation to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to assess the revision of the Directive of Waste Oils. The stakeholders responding at this consultancy are listed here. (except those who requested not to be disclosed). To guide stakeholder participation in the web-based forum, the Commission prepared a questionnaire. The contributions of stakeholders of these submissions, by organization/ company, are available here. |
Lubricant
oils are a common element in our daily lives, as they are needed
to allow many engines and mechanisms to function. The EU consumed
in 2006 roughly 5.8 million tonnes a year. However, through their
use, they loose their properties, become contaminated and at some
point they cease to be fit for the use they were originally intended.
These used oils are then replaced by fresh lubricating oils and
we are left with some waste oils. Some 50% of what is purchased
will become waste oils (the rest is lost during use, or through
leakages, etc.) That leaves us with approximately 3 million tonnes
of waste oil to manage every year in the EU.