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Used industrial oil, the 'invisible' waste
Industrial waste oil, in other words, lubricant oil, is unknown, almost ‘invisible’ waste. Yet, in reality, it’s everywhere. We live with it because it’s much closer than we imagine. However, despite having such a prominent presence in so many sectors of activity - some we couldn’t even begin to imagine - it is one of the most unknown types of waste among citizens. Behind its management, there is calculated machinery coordinated by SIGAUS, which achieves just that: keeping it invisible.
27-05-2019
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Most ordinary citizens are unaware of the waste generated by car engine oils, and by the vast majority of industrial sectors in Spain. The truth is, that in reality, that is very good news. It means that it is not affecting people’s surroundings or health and that its negative impact on the environment and living creatures is completely neutralised.
To keep it that way, SIGAUS provides a management system that ensures that this highly-polluting liquid waste, is completely under control: from the points where it is produced (industries, car repair shops, wind plants, agricultural facilities or the services sector, construction or hotel/catering, among others), to its collection, transfer, storage, analysis and final treatment. The entire process is registered, which guarantees waste traceability and thus eliminates any risks.
A 'peculiar' waste and a source of raw materials
The fact is, in our country 520,000 litres of used oil are generated every day of the year, more than fifty medium-sized tankers, of which only two litres are required to pollute a volume of water equivalent to an Olympic pool!
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In 2018, SIGAUS collected 168,000 t from nearly 69,400 producer establishments distributed among 4,817 municipalities throughout Spain.
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The journey begins the moment the oil becomes waste. A circular journey that not only enables the removal of this polluting waste from the environment (it contains substances such as sulphur or chlorine, and heavy metals such as barium, zinc, cadmium or nickel, it is poorly biodegradable and is very dangerous if it penetrates the soil or is released into the water), but also its recovery for new uses, almost entirely. Because it is a key source of raw materials and energy, and its use enables major economic and environmental savings.
In 2018, SIGAUS collected 168,000 t from nearly 69,400 producer establishments distributed among 4,817 municipalities throughout Spain, a country where population is highly dispersed, with irregular terrain, and in which every corner of the territory can be home to a car repair shop or small industry. This waste has to be collected from all of these establishments.
The key to waste recovery is regeneration treatment, to which more than 70% of the collected waste is destined. Last year this figure was the highest in the last decade: a total of 100,321 t, more than 72%, which made it possible to avoid the emission of 300,962 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere, the equivalent to the absorption of a 30-year-old poplar forest and an extension of 1,120 hectares.
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The amount of used oils processed as fuel for industrial use for subsequent energy use amounted to 39,230 t in 2018, which allowed a power generation of 425 GWh, the equivalent of the power consumed for electrical use by almost 122,000 homes.
Indeed the concept Circular Economy is not new. However, what is new is the inexcusable need to move the transition towards this new, more innovative and intelligent growth model, in which waste is transformed into resources. A journey we have already begun and from which, luckily for all, there is no turning back.
Management data 2018
