Oily Waste, Filter and Slop Disposal

Once the oil has been collected, what remains is everything that touched it: filters, wipes, tank bottom sludge, separator content. These cannot be refined like waste oil, but they cannot go in ordinary rubbish either — they carry their own codes and their own disposal routes.

What is covered

• Used oil filters and cartridges
• Oily wipes, rags, gloves and absorbent pads
• Tank and boiler bottom sludge
• Oil-water separator content
• Slop oil and emulsion residue
• Oil-contaminated packaging and drums

Method

Liquid and semi-solid waste is taken by tanker, solids in closed containers or bins. Metal filters holding oil are pressed to release it and then routed to metal recovery. The remainder goes to energy recovery or a suitable disposal facility depending on its content.

A common mistake

Throwing oily wipes into the general waste bin is both an audit finding and a fire risk. Oil-soaked cloth must be collected in a closed, labelled container.