In many instances, CEOs must weigh the profitability of their business against sustainability. It’s also crucial to remember that they are often surrounded by people who argue that profit should take precedence over sustainability.
Regardless, anyone using oil or petroleum-based products must take care in handling these wastes. It is the best way to minimize environmental damage and long-term financial savings.
Recycling
Oil waste can be repurposed for use in various ways, depending on the industry and company. One of the most popular recycling methods of oil is using it as fuel for heating systems in facilities and vehicles. This method reduces utility costs and cradle-to-grave liability while helping businesses to become more environmentally responsible.
Another way to recycle oil is by using it for re-refining. This process involves filtering, distilling, and hydro-treating the used oil to remove contaminants and impurities, resulting in an identical product to virgin oils. Re-refining used oil can save companies money by reducing the pure oil they purchase.
Used cooking oil can also be recycled by being converted to biodiesel, a renewable energy source that can be used to power vehicles and machinery. Burning this fuel produces a 90% reduction in greenhouse gases compared to burning fossil diesel. As a result, this can reduce companies’ carbon footprint while showing customers that they care about the environment.
Disposal
Using a proper method of disposing of oil waste can prevent environmental contamination. This process is vital to preventing the spread of oil pollution, which can endanger wildlife and cause human health issues. It also helps to minimize the amount of waste that needs to be disposed of.
One way to recycle waste oil is to turn it into energy. This is done by repurposing it to fuel heating systems, saving businesses money on utility bills.
Companies that use oil recovery and oily wastewater services can avoid paying for disposal costs. In addition, they can reduce the risk of potential adverse environmental impacts by not sending waste to landfills or waterways. Another option is to inject the sludge and produced water into underground wells for permanent storage. This reduces the amount of water required to extract oil and can help lower the production cost. It also reduces the need to drill and frack for more oil.
Treatment
Despite its negative environmental impacts, waste oil can be reused. Oily sludge, or used oil, is a critical component of the circular economy. However, before storing, transporting, or burning used fat, it must be adequately screened for hazardous waste characteristics and treated accordingly.
One cup of used motor oil can contaminate 1 million gallons of fresh water, so handling this material with care is crucial. To achieve this, oil waste treatment Orange County NY offers decanter centrifuges and separators for separating oil from other substances.
Waste from exploration, production, and hydraulic fracturing activities is generally subject to non-hazardous waste regulation under RCRA Subtitle D and many state regulations and guidelines. Refining waste oil into lubrication or fuel oils is technically possible and has seen some resurgence, although impurity challenges (lead, dirt, metals, oxidation products) have historically prevented its widespread use. It can also be burned, which is encouraged by its tax exemption as a form of energy recovery.
Reuse
Reusing oil waste is a vital component of the circular economy. Refineries that employ circular waste management processes see a significant return on their investment, rally the confidence of stakeholders and stockholders, and take a considerable step towards a more sustainable world by not sending any used oil to landfills or waterways.
Waste oil can be a severe environmental hazard when it seeps into the ground or ends up in rivers and lakes. It is slow to degrade and can stick to everything from bird feathers and fur to beach sand.
When used cooking oil is collected and recycled, it can be turned into biodiesel fuel, which can power vehicles and machines. This cuts down on energy consumption, which means a significant reduction in carbon emissions. It also saves money, as businesses can pay to collect and recycle their used oil rather than throw it away. This way, they have a cradle-to-grave liability and are committed to waste management.
