Page 31 - Energize July 2022

NEWS

order to protect our environment. Responsible waste About the ROSE Foundation
management is no longer a nice thing to do but a The ROSE Foundation (recycling oil saves the environment) is a national non-profit
necessary thing to do. organization made up of the major lubricating oil producers and distributors in
South Africa. It was established by the industry in 1994, in response to growing
How to recycle used oil concern around the consumption and recycling of oil and petroleum products
• Drain oil into a clean container with a tight- worldwide in relation to environmental concerns about environmental pollution.
fitting lid, such as a reusable combination drain ROSE promotes and encourages the environmentally responsible and legally
pan/storage container. If you generate a lot of compliant collection and recycling of used oils and related waste in South Africa,
used oil in your industry, the ROSE Foundation through education, compliance support, audits and incentives. Since its inception,
recommends using drums or a cubic-shaped ROSE has received great support from industry stakeholders and has championed
1000 litre mini tank which make maximum use of the responsible collection of well over a billion litres of used oil in South Africa.
available space, hold more oil and to make things The recycling of used lubricant oil in South Africa is a well-established and
even easier, the collections require no handling of thriving industry thanks largely to the efforts of the ROSE Foundation and the
the containers. Sealed couplings are used to pump compliance of licensed collectors and processors across South Africa.
the contents straight into a tanker truck so there’s Together, they ensure that the collection, transportation, storage, refining,
no spillage or leakage. recycling, disposal and utilisation of used oil is managed in a sustainable, ethical,
• Empty oil containers and drums make effective environmentally compliant and responsible manner.
makeshift storage vessels for used oil, however, do
not use a container that previously held chemicals, To obtain more information about used oil recycling, the ROSE Foundation,
such as cleaners, solvents, fuels, paint or bleach. accredited collectors, processors and drop-off points, contact the ROSE
• Always clearly label the container “Used motor oil” Foundation, Phone 021 448-7492, www.rosefoundation.org.za, #OnlyOneEarth
• Keep your containers in a place that can be
accessed by a ROSE registered used oil collector
and keep the surrounding area clear and clean.
Ideally store them under cover and away from
heat or sources of ignition.
• Keep oil change pans free of water and ensure
your storage containers are tightly sealed and
covered to protect them from rain water. Oil which
is contaminated with water is far more difficult to
recycle.
• Ensure that you do not mix used oil with other
fluids such as antifreeze, transmission fluid,
petrol, diesel, etc. Mixing them may make them
non-recyclable as well as very hazardous and
flammable.
• If you generate a large quantity of used oil in
your business, you should arrange to have your
oil collected by a ROSE Foundation registered
Collector. This will ensure that you comply with the
requirements of the Waste Act.
• If you only generate a small quantity of oil,
store it safely and you can drop it off at selected
Autozone stores. Otherwise, most reputable
service centres have used oil storage facilities
and will take your oil, as they have collectors who
take it away for processing. You can also contact
the ROSE Foundation for advice about how to
dispose of your used lubricating oil. Larger motor
workshops who have bulk storage facilities, are
urged to accept used oil and related waste from
private individuals. The workshops will be paid
by collectors for the oil collected, so accepting oil
from backyard mechanics is at no cost to them and
it is the environmentally responsible thing to do.

energize | July 2022 | 29