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How to Recycle Industrial Oil

Industrial manufacturers use oil to lubricate the machines that run their plants and factories. Industrial oils must be checked and replaced as a regular part of machine maintenance. When oil gets contaminated or degrades, it must be reconditioned or disposed of. Recycling oil makes both financial and environmental sense. Oil can be recycled and reused in the factory, via filter and recycling equipment attached to the machines or in central locations. Oil may also be sent outside the factory, where it is recycled into new industrial products.

Things You'll Need

  • Oil filtering systems
  • Oil containers
  • Recycling trailer
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Instructions

  1. Reconditioning Oil at the Machines

    • 1

      Determine the type of oil used in a particular machine and the level of oil contamination. This can include water, dirt, heat degradation and chemical contamination.

    • 2

      Contact manufacturers of oil recycling equipment. Review their product descriptions and have a consultant come and visit the factory. They can review the type of oils used and the common types of contamination found, and offer recycling and maintenance solutions to recycle and extend the life of oil in the factory.

    • 3

      Purchase and install the recycling equipment. Make sure the equipment is installed and operating properly. Ensure that the recycling schedules correspond with the regular production needs of your factory.

    • 4

      Monitor the performance of the recycling equipment. Make adjustments to the equipment as necessary to prolong the life of the oil.

    Oil Collection in the Factory

    • 5

      Set up a central oil processing center in the factory or lease a trailer to do the job. Both options allow for a central location to recycle and reprocess oil when recycling equipment at the machine is not feasible. A central oil processing center is more capital intensive than a trailer. A trailer can be leased or rented and may serve small factories with fewer machines.

    • 6

      Develop a regular maintenance schedule for oil recycling. Central recycling centers and trailers can be set up to meet the various needs of different types of oil and contamination.

    • 7

      Use spent lubrication in a cascading fashion. When a higher quality oil degrades over time, it can be cleaned and used in a process that requires lower quality oil. For example, degraded hydraulic fluid may be used for general purpose cutting oil applications. Make sure new applications of the different oils do not harm the final product.

    Off-Site Oil Recycling

    • 8

      Segregate oils by type. Lower quality oils carry a disposal charge, but higher quality oils may be worth money from a recycler. Mixing oils will lower the amount you get from the recycler.

    • 9

      Store oils to be recycled in approved containers in a safe manner. The recycling firm may provide containers for you to use and assist in the set-up.

    • 10

      Establish a schedule of shipping out oil and receiving new oil. Most recyclers take oil and repurpose it as industrial oil. Recycled oil can be bought cheaper than new oil products. Arrange for discounts with the recycler by purchasing cheaper recycled industrial oil.

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