Is Burning Waste Oil Environmentally Friendly?

Friday, 28 May 2021 13:00

Our world still runs on oil, despite major breakthroughs in renewable energy, waste reduction, and public awareness of the oil industry. We're making gradual progress toward greener energy sources for business, infrastructure, and our daily lives, but we still have a long way to go before we can totally abandon fossil fuels. In the meanwhile, every contribution we may make is beneficial. So, is burning waste oil actually good for the environment?

It is! Burning leftover waste oil actually benefits the environment in more ways than one. Here's how.

Prevent spillages and improper waste oil disposal

Waste oil spills and improper waste oil disposal are detrimental to the environment. Every year, it is estimated that more than 200 million gallons of used oil are improperly disposed of.

And each year enough waste oil enters US soil and water to pollute the freshwater supply for 3 billion people (that's about one-half of the world's population). This staggering statistic does not include oil spills that occur in other parts of the planet. In places without access to waste-oil collection facilities or where collectors charge a fee to remove spent oil, these rates tend to be much higher.

But when you opt to burn your waste oil, you remove the possibility of your waste oil contaminating the environment.

Waste oil collection demand is declining

Did you know that waste oil can be used to generate free green heat? Let's delve into this fact a little further.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a list of recommended used-oil management and recycling methods, and in-depth information on each method’s efficacy. Waste oil collection and re-refinement can be a fantastic alternative because it keeps waste oil out of landfills. However, as oil prices fall, the price a corporation is willing to pay to collect waste oil will fall as well.

As a result, the automobile and aviation industries are increasingly being forced to pay for the disposal of their waste oil. Furthermore, the amount of used oil generated is greater than the capacity of these facilities. Market opportunities for reprocessed waste oil are becoming more limited as the maritime sector shifts away from heavy fuels.

Other fuel sources are replaced with waste oil heaters

Burning used oil for heat has another big benefit: it replaces other fuel-energy sources.

Heating with used oil minimizes the need for other heat sources such as natural gas, propane, and electricity. This saves the recycler money on heating expenses while also reducing demand for those fuels in the energy markets. This alleviates pressure on pipelines, tanker trucks, power plants, and shipping routes. When you add all of these factors together, waste-oil recycling greatly reduces your carbon footprint.

How to burn waste oil responsibly

Not every waste oil heater is the same. It's critical to approach waste-oil burning with caution in order to achieve the best outcomes in terms of energy costs and environmental impact. DIY waste-oil burners, such as those seen in YouTube videos, can be ineffective and harmful.

Modern waste-oil heaters are capable of combusting old waste oil while separating non-combustible chemicals and compounds into a collection chamber that ensures safe and easy disposal. Decades of scientific and manufacturing advancements have contributed to properly containing and supplying waste oil as fuel.

Start burning waste oil safely and responsibly today

If you’re interested in a more environmentally-friendly heating option, reach out to us today at Interstate Energy. We’ll help you find the right waste oil heater to minimize your carbon footprint and heat your business for free.

Contact us today to learn more about burning waste oil responsibly.