Is Waste Oil Hazardous Waste? Duty of Care Guide

The short answer

Yes. The government’s hazardous waste guidance lists “oils (except edible ones), such as car oil” as an example of hazardous waste. That covers used engine, gearbox, hydraulic, compressor and most industrial oils. Used oil filters, oily sludge and interceptor waste are hazardous too. For collections, see our hazardous waste collection service for oil and oily waste.

In the official list of waste codes, hazardous wastes are marked with an asterisk. For example, 13 02 05* covers mineral-based non-chlorinated engine, gear and lubricating oils.

Why it matters for your business

Because it’s hazardous, waste oil comes with extra rules on top of the normal business waste rules. Any waste that comes from a commercial activity is business waste, even if you work from home or a small unit. So if you change oil for customers, run machinery or maintain a fleet, these rules apply to you.

What is the waste duty of care?

The duty of care comes from section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. In plain English, you’re responsible for your waste from the moment you produce it until it’s handed to someone authorised to take it, and you must take reasonable steps to make sure it’s dealt with properly.

Dark green waste oil collection tanker parked outside a vehicle workshop

Your duties, step by step

For hazardous waste in England, the government’s guidance for producers and holders sets out these steps:

Classify your waste to check if it’s hazardous. For waste oil, it is.
Separate and store it safely. Don’t mix it with other wastes. See how to store waste oil.
Use authorised businesses. Check that waste carriers are registered and that waste sites have environmental permits.
Fill in the consignment note. Keep one copy and give two to the carrier. See consignment notes explained.
Keep records for 3 years at the premises that produced or stored the waste. Use our duty of care checklist, and see do I need to register as a hazardous waste producer?

How to check a waste carrier

Ask for the carrier’s registration number and look it up on the Environment Agency’s public register. Ours is CBDU69834 (upper-tier waste carrier, broker and dealer). Be wary of anyone who offers to take hazardous waste without paperwork. If waste you handed over is later dumped, you could be held responsible.

Can I take my business’s waste oil to the tip?

Household waste recycling centres are for household waste, so they usually won’t accept oil from businesses. Businesses should use a registered waste carrier. Householders can find out more in our guide on how to dispose of engine oil.

Can I move my own waste oil?

If you transport hazardous waste, even your own, you must meet the requirements for carriers, and you must register as a waste carrier if you want to dispose of your own waste regularly. For most businesses it’s simpler to have it collected.

What not to do

Pour oil down a drain, onto the ground or into a soakaway
Put oil, oily filters or oily rags in general waste or a mixed skip (we can collect oily rags with your oil)
Mix oil with other wastes such as antifreeze, solvents or fuel
Burn it without a permit (see can you burn waste oil?)
Hand it to anyone who can’t show a waste carrier registration

Causing pollution can lead to an unlimited fine, a prison sentence of up to 5 years or both.

What about cooking oil?

Edible oils are treated differently and go through their own collection and recycling route. BL Oils doesn’t collect cooking oil. Please use a specialist cooking oil collector.

How we help

We collect all types of waste oil except cooking oil, plus used oil filters, interceptor waste, antifreeze, brake fluid and oily rags, from businesses across all of Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. Every collection comes with the correct paperwork. See waste oil disposal and compliance & licence.

Frequently asked questions

Is waste oil classed as hazardous waste?

Yes. Used mineral and synthetic oils, such as engine, gearbox and hydraulic oil, are hazardous waste. Edible (cooking) oils are not classed in the same way.

What is my duty of care for waste oil?

You must store it safely, keep it separate, hand it only to a registered carrier going to a permitted site, complete a consignment note and keep your records for 3 years.

How do I check a waste carrier is registered?

Ask for their registration number and look it up on the Environment Agency’s public register. BL Oils is registered as CBDU69834.

Is a small garage or mobile mechanic covered by these rules?

Yes. Waste from any commercial activity is business waste, including from a home-based business, so the hazardous waste rules apply.

Do I need to register as a hazardous waste producer?

Not in England. Premises registration ended on 1 April 2016, but the other duties, including consignment notes and records, still apply.

Need waste oil collected? BL Oils is based in Doncaster and collects from businesses across all of Yorkshire, plus Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. Call or WhatsApp 07785 921493, email info@bloils.co.uk or ask for a free quote. Got an urgent problem? Our phone is answered 24/7: see emergency waste oil collection.

Sources and further reading

Checked against official guidance in October 2026. This guide is general information for businesses in England, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the linked guidance or ask the Environment Agency if you’re unsure.