If you operate a mobile oil change business in Utah, you generate used oil, used oil filters, and other wastes. Utah law requires you to manage these wastes properly. This page explains the rules that may apply to your business based on the services you provide, the wastes you generate, and how much used oil you transport and where you take it.
Generating used oil and other waste
- You are a used oil generator: As a mobile oil change business, you must comply with applicable storage, transportation, and recycling requirements for all wastes you generate.
- Used oil filters: Filters that are not “terne-plated” (meaning they don’t contain lead) can be properly drained and then disposed of as non-hazardous solid waste. The properly drained metal casing can also be recycled as scrap metal.
- Other wastes: Any other wastes you generate must be managed accordingly, either as non-hazardous or hazardous wastes depending on the waste determination results.
Transporting used oil and other waste
How you transport used oil and other wastes depends on the quantity and destination.
- Transporting 55 gallons or less of used oil: You do not need to notify the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of your used oil activities if you transport no more than 55 gallons of used oil at any time from your customers’ sites directly to your business or a registered used oil collection center (UOCC). We recommend keeping used oil shipping records for all transports.
- Find a registered Used Oil Collection Center (UOCC) at UsedOil.utah.gov.
- Transporting more than 55 gallons, or to other locations: If you transport more than 55 gallons of used oil, or take it somewhere other than your business location or a UOCC, you must obtain an EPA identification number from us and comply with used oil transporter rules.
- Do not pick up hazardous waste: Unless you are a permitted hazardous waste transporter, you must not pick up spent solvents or other hazardous wastes from your customers. Also, do not bring any hazardous waste back to your business location unless you comply with hazardous waste program requirements.
- Leaving used oil with customers: As a cogenerator (meaning you generate waste at another’s site), you can leave used oil with your customer if they agree to take responsibility for it. However, you share responsibility for ensuring it’s properly managed by a recycling or disposal facility.
Other responsibilities for used oil generators
Beyond generating and transporting, you have other key responsibilities to ensure proper used oil management and compliance.
- Storing used oil: Containers and tanks used to store used oil must be in good condition, clearly labeled “Used Oil,” and kept closed during storage (except when adding or removing oil).
- Aboveground Storage Tanks (ASTs): If your total aboveground used oil storage capacity is more than 1,320 gallons, U.S. EPA’s Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) regulations may apply. For questions on SPCC rules, contact the U.S. EPA Oil Information Center at (800) 424-9346.
- Tanks over 500 gallons: If you store used oil in an aboveground tank larger than 500 gallons, you must also comply with Utah Division of Environmental Response and Remediation (DERR) aboveground storage tank requirements.
- Underground Storage Tanks (USTs): If you store used oil in an underground tank, you must also comply with DERR underground storage tank requirements.
- Do not mix used oil with other wastes: Mixing used oil with solvents, gasoline, or other chemicals can cause it to become hazardous waste, which has stricter regulations. Avoid mixing.
- Proper disposal: You must never dispose of used oil:
- In the ground.
- Mixed with solid or hazardous waste for disposal.
- In sewer and drainage systems, septic tanks, surface or ground waters, watercourses, or any body of water.
- Reporting used oil releases:
- Immediately stop, contain, clean up, and properly manage any released used oil.
- Notify the Utah Department of Environmental Quality’s 24-hour Answering Service at 801-536-4123 for releases exceeding 25 gallons, or for smaller releases that could threaten human health or the environment.
- Submit a final written report within 15 days after any reportable used oil release. This report must include information about the incident, cleanup and remediation actions, and how related waste was disposed of.
- Other used oil activities: If your business involves additional used oil activities, such as fuel marketing or processing (blending or reprocessing), extra rules apply. Contact us for more information.
Contact us
Need more help understanding these regulations or have questions about specific situations?
- Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control (DWMRC) Front Desk: 801-536-0200
- Used Oil Homepage: UsedOil.utah.gov
- Utah Department of Environmental Quality 24-hour Answering Service (for spills/releases): 801-536-4123