Magazine · Disposal
Disposing of waste oil and old heating oil correctly
Used motor oil and old heating oil are hazardous waste , never down the drain or in household rubbish. We explain the right way.
How to do it
Why it matters
Oil is hazardous to water
A single litre of oil can contaminate a large amount of groundwater. That is why waste oil must never go into the sink, the toilet, the soil or the normal bin. It belongs in proper collection.
This applies to used motor oil as well as to old or contaminated heating oil.
The right way
- Used motor oil: shops that sell motor oil are obliged to take back the equivalent amount. Keep the receipt. The recycling centre also accepts it.
- Oil filters & cloths: hand them in together with the oil , they are contaminated too.
- Old heating oil / sludge: via a specialist firm or the hazardous-waste collection point, not yourself into a canister for the bin.
- Transport sealed: in a tight, labelled container so nothing leaks.
Said honestly
Wrong disposal is not only harmful, it is illegal and can be expensive. The correct route is usually free or cheap , the take-back obligation and the recycling centre exist for exactly this. If in doubt, ask your local authority. We give you the facts, the decision stays with you.
Sources and further reading
- Waste oil , Wikipedia