Used oil - Minnesota

Scope

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) regulates the accumulation, transportation, and disposal of used oil. Minnesota’s state requirements regarding used oil management include some regulatory information beyond the federal requirements. In addition, the county hazardous waste programs of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Washington) may have requirements that are more stringent.

Regulatory citations

• MR 7045.0790 - .0990

Key definitions

• Used oil: Petroleum-based or synthetic-based oils which have been used as lubricants, hydraulic fluids, heat transfer fluids, or for similar uses.
• Used oil related wastes: Other waste or debris contaminated with used oil.

Summary of requirements

Minnesota’s state requirements regarding used oil management include some regulatory information beyond the federal requirements. A summary of the additional requirements includes the following:

• Containers of used oil must be closed at all times except when used oil is being added or removed. Closed means bungs and caps are fully screwed in or on, open-head containers have lids secured by fully-bolted retaining rings or “snapped” spring-loaded rings, and bucket snap-lids are fully engaged. If funnels are used, they must be screwed into the bung and have lids that securely latch. (Open funnels and lids that shut by gravity alone do not meet these requirements.) Two exceptions include containers that receive used oil directly from an oil-water separator or oil filter crusher. Containers into which used oil filters are drained.
• Store containers of used oil and related wastes on a surface reasonable impervious to used oil, such as concrete. (Asphalt is generally not considered impervious to used oil.)
• Oily rags may be sent to a commercial laundry without using a used oil transporter, or you may contact your publicly owned treatment works if your laundry equipment discharges to the sanitary sewer. Do not launder onsite if you discharge to a septic system.
• Keep used oil and related waste shipment receipts for at least three years from the shipment date. Keep testing records for at least three years after you burn, sell, or dispose of your used oil.
• Immediately report all used oil spills of five gallons or more to the Minnesota Duty Officer at (651) 649-5451 or (800) 422-0798.