The MPCA regulates used oil and used oil sorbent management under the Minnesota hazardous waste rules. However, if used oil and used oil sorbents are recycled using approved methods, they are exempt from most of Minnesota's hazardous waste regulations. Chronic oil spills and leaks can generate sizable quantities of used oil.
Liquid cleanup provides companies with the best and easiest opportunity for recycling used oil.
Place pans, trays, troughs or mats underneath machines to collect the oil. Then vacuum up or pour into drums. Use squeegees and dustpans, or mops designed for oil spills or cleanup to collect oil and squeeze out into drums. Soak up spills and drips with sorbent pads and fabrics. These sorbent materials can be wrung out or pressed dry, which will recover much of the oil as a liquid.