Waste services
Used oil collection
Managed under Part 279, outside the hazardous waste system, provided it stays clean.
Used oil managed under 40 CFR Part 279 is regulated separately from hazardous waste and does not count toward generator status. Contamination with halogenated solvent above 1,000 ppm triggers the rebuttable presumption and makes it hazardous waste.
Source: 40 CFR Part 279What we collect
- Engine and crankcase oil from fleet and equipment maintenance
- Hydraulic and transmission fluid
- Gear oil and compressor oil
- Metalworking and cutting fluids where oil based
- Oily water and interceptor contents
- Used oil filters, drained and managed appropriately
One drum ruins a tank
Pouring a drum of chlorinated solvent into a used oil tank takes the halogen level past 1,000 ppm. The rebuttable presumption then applies to the whole tank, and a routine used oil collection becomes a hazardous waste shipment at several times the price.
It is nearly always accidental. A labeled, closed, dedicated container with clear instruction to the people using it prevents almost every instance, and costs nothing compared with the alternative.
Used oil generator requirements
- Store in tanks and containers in good condition with no visible leaks
- Label containers and tanks with the words Used Oil
- Clean up releases promptly
- Use transporters holding EPA identification numbers
- Keep records of shipments
- Never mix used oil with hazardous waste
Common questions
Is used oil hazardous waste?
Not when managed under Part 279. It becomes hazardous waste if mixed with hazardous waste, or if halogen content exceeds 1,000 ppm and the presumption of mixing cannot be rebutted.
Does used oil count toward generator status?
No, under Part 279. That is a real practical benefit for sites near a category threshold, and a reason to keep the stream clean and separate.
What about used oil filters?
Properly drained filters are excluded from hazardous waste regulation under 40 CFR 261.4(b)(13). Hot draining for at least 12 hours or crushing satisfies it. Undrained filters are a different matter.
Related services
Not sure how this applies to your site?
Send a profile, an old manifest, or photographs of the drums. A technical professional will tell you where you stand.
This page summarizes federal requirements and is not legal advice. State programs can be more stringent than the federal baseline. Verify against current federal and state regulations before acting. Last reviewed September 2026.