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A wide variety of businesses handle used oil, from service stations to vehicle rental companies to manufacturing facilities. Federal EPA’s used oil management standards are a set of “good housekeeping” requirements for used oil handlers. State regulations governing the management of used oil may be more stringent than federal EPA’s.
Scope
Under many circumstances, used oil is a hazardous waste and must be managed as such if it is to be disposed of. However, EPA’s used oil management program allows the handling of used oil under less stringent standards as long as it is managed according to the regulations and the oil is ultimately sent to a recycler, recycled, or burned for fuel.
Regulatory citations
Key definitions
- Used oil: Any oil that has been refined from crude oil, or any synthetic oil, that has been used and as a result of such use is contaminated by physical or chemical impurities.
Summary of requirements
Tennessee state requirements regarding used oil management include some regulatory information beyond the federal requirements. A summary of the additional requirements includes the following:
- Used oil marketers, processors/re-refiners and/or haulers/transporters must notify the Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) in writing within 30 days after changes in operational status (e.g., becoming inactive, or changes affecting certification, etc.).
- Used oil transporters who transport: a) quantities of used oil in excess of 55 gallons of used oil at any given time, or b) who transports more than 1,000 gallons of used oil in a calendar year, must meet the certification requirements of 0400-12-01-.11(5)(a)(v) in order to transport used oil in the state of Tennessee. Certification of compliance with 0400-12-01-.11(5)(a)(v) must be demonstrated prior to commencement of used oil transportation activities by the transporter, as well as annually, as part of the used oil transporter's annual report.
- Used oil processors/re-refiners and/or hauler/transporters must prepare and submit a single copy of an annual report to the Commissioner by March 1 of each year.