SUSTAINABILITY
Producer responsibility in the UK lubricants industry: A path toward sustainability
Barrie Thomas, Director General, Oil Recycling Association
Introduction
The concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is increasing in priority as the UK government increasingly recognises the need for sustainability and a circular economy. The approach has found particular relevance in industries with significant potential environmental impacts, such as the lubricant sector. Lubricants, which are of course essential in automotive, industrial, and other applications, can pose serious environmental risks if not managed correctly, particularly after use.
In the coming years, the UK lubricants industry will face increasing scrutiny and regulatory pressure to adopt EPR models that promote recycling, reduce waste, and ensure that lubricants and their packaging are disposed of in an environmentally responsible way.
What is EPR in the context of lubricants? EPR in the lubricants industry relates to the ethical obligation of lubricant manufacturers to be involved in the disposal, recycling, or safe handling of their products once they have been used by consumers or businesses. This responsibility extends beyond the product itself to include its packaging, such as bottles, drums, and containers.
The ultimate goal of EPR is to ensure that used lubricants are collected, recycled, or properly disposed
of in order to maximise the products ‘circularity’ and minimise environmental harm.
In the UK, the EPR framework for lubricants is still in its very early stages compared to other industries like packaging or electronics. So, there is still time for manufacturers to get involved and shape the future for used lubricants, and to make sure that the sector is not over-regulated to the extent that it affects your business.
How do ORA and the UKLA fit together? There are of course many different types of lubricating oils for cars, truck, buses, motorbikes etc., but the main ingredient is the lubricating base oil. An engine oil reaches the end of its life when the additives start to break down or the oil becomes contaminated with unburnt petrol / diesel or water (a by-product from combusting the fuel). However, the lubricating base oil never wears out and, if extracted correctly, it can be recycled over and over again.
Although battery and hybrid powered vehicles are on the increase, they still only represent a small fraction of the cars on the road today, with the vast majority still being run on petrol and diesel, including hybrids. The bottom line is that with the durability of today’s petrol and diesel cars they will still be around until well into the 2050s and perhaps much longer than that.
Continued on page 42 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.185 FEBRUARY 2025 41
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