What Waste Lubricating Oils are?
They are used combustion engine oils, hydraulic and industrial oils, metalworking oils, transformers oils (without PCBs) etc., or according to the Article 2 of the Presidential Decree 82 “it is every industrial or lubricating oil of mineral or synthetic or mixed base which is unsuitable to be used for the purpose for which it was originally intended …”
Why the proper management of Waste Lubricating Oils is necessary?
It is noted that the Waste Lubricating Oils are extremely dangerous waste because they contain:
- Heavy Metals should not escape into the atmosphere or aquifer system because they are toxic and carcinogenic.
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in> 3% wt rate, carcinogenic compound in a simple touch with the skin.
- Chlorinated compounds (no PCBs), during their combustion dioxins and furans are being produced.
- Sulfur in 0,6-1,0% wt rate, higher than conventional fuel.
For this reason, they have been categorized according to the Decision 2000/532/EC, which have been amended with the Decisions 2001/118/EC, 2001/119/EC and 2001/573/ EC , of the EC Commission (European Waste Catalog), as hazardous waste.
The uncontrollable management of waste lubricating oils creates very important problems:
In the environment
- Soil Pollution
- Aquatic Systems Pollution (terrestrial and groundwater)
- Air pollution
To Public Health
- Carcinogenics
- Neurological, circulatory and respiratory problems
How are they managed?
The administration of Waste Lubricating Oils is taking place according to the waste management hierarchy as mentioned in the European Directive 2008/98/ EC. All the Waste Lubricating Oils collected in Greece are led to Regeneration.