Used oil - California

California’s Health and Safety Code section 25250.4 requires that used oil be managed as hazardous waste unless it has been recycled and is shown to meet the specifications for recycled oil or qualifies for a recycling exclusion. California also has other requirement regarding used oil management that go beyond federal requirements. A summary of the additional requirements includes the following:

• Used oil generators must obtain an EPA ID Number. (Federally, only used oil transporters, processors and re-refiners, off-specification burners, and used oil marketers must obtain an EPA ID number.)
• Businesses generating used oil as well as used oil collection centers must meet all hazardous waste generator requirements operating.
• Containers accumulating used oil must be labeled with the name and address of the generator and the words “Used Oil,” and “Hazardous Waste,” and the initial date of accumulation. 
• Tanks used to accumulate used oil must have appropriate secondary containment.
• Aboveground storage tanks and fill pipes used to transfer used oil into underground storage tanks must be labeled with the words “Used Oil,” Hazardous Waste,” and the initial date of accumulation. Containers must also be labeled with the name and address of the generator.
• To ship individual containers of used oil, the generator must label shipped containers with:
  • HAZARDOUS WASTE — State and Federal Law Prohibit Improper Disposal. If found, contact the nearest police or public safety authority, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the California Department of Health Services.
  • Generator’s name and address.
  • Proper Department of Transportation (DOT) shipping name.
  • Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest number and the shipping identification number (if an individual manifest is used).
• Generators that do not transport their own used oil must use a hazardous waste manifest.
• Used oil may not be intentionally mixed with a hazardous waste, even hazardous waste from a conditionally exempt small quantity generator (aka very small quantity generator).