Used Oil is defined as any oil refined from crude oil, or any synthetic oil, which as a result of use has been contaminated by physical or chemical impurities. These means that for an oil to be considered used oil it must meet the following items:

1. It must be refined from crude or be of synthetic stock;
2. It must have been used; and
3. It must be contaminated by physical or chemical impurities.

Used oil is regulated by both the North Dakota Hazardous Waste Management Rules and the Solid Waste Management Rules. Management standards may be found in the hazardous waste rules, while disposal prohibitions may be found in both rules. North Dakota prohibits the disposal of used oil in landfills.

Used oil activities that require notification are commercial transportation, collection centers, marketing and re-refining. Commercial transportation of used oil requires an EPA identification number and a solid waste transporter permit. Collection centers which accept used oil for other than just household do-it-yourselfers must notify the Department and obtain an EPA identification number. Presently, there are no re-refiners located in North Dakota and the Department does not anticipate any locating to the state.

EPA has recently published a new pamphlet titled Managing Used Oil - Advice for Small Business. This pamphlet is available from EPA's National Center for Environmental Publications and Information which may be accessed from the Publications page. Information you will need to order this document are the title and publication number which is EPA 530-F-96-004.

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Updated by: Robert Disney, July 11, 2002
Created: January 10, 1997