ATIEL & UEIL Joint Sustainability Committee
3 Sustainable WasteManagement of Lubricants at End-of-Life
3.1 Introduction
Lubricants are substances formulated to reduce friction between moving surfaces, minimize wear, and dissipate heat. These functions are critical in a wide range of applications, including automotive, industrial, process, and marine systems. In addition to ensuring smooth operation, lubricants significantly extend the lifespan of mechanical equipment. However, they have a limited operational life and eventually reach their end of life (EoL), becoming waste oil when they can no longer perform their intended functions effectively.
The formation of waste oil is primarily attributed to the degradation of lubricant properties. This includes changes in viscosity, loss of film strength, and a diminished ability to provide adequate lubrication. Contamination plays a key role in this deterioration, often arising from the accumulation of dirt, metal particles, fuel and glycol build up, water ingress, or combustion by- products. Additionally, the depletion of essential additives, such as detergents, anti-wear agents, and antioxidants, further reduces the lubricant's capacity to protect mechanical systems. Prolonged exposure to heat and oxygen exacerbates oxidation and thermal degradation, producing sludge, varnish, and acids.
Once lubricants transition to waste oil, proper management becomes essential to mitigate environmental and health risks. Waste oil frequently contains hazardous substances, including heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and other toxic compounds. Improper disposal of waste oil poses severe environmental hazards3
(land or water bodies), waste oil can contaminate soil and disrupt aquatic ecosystems. Notably, a single liter of waste oil can pollute up to one million liters of water. Waste oil also forms persistent films on water surfaces, disrupting oxygen exchange and endangering aquatic life.
Human health is also at significant risk from improperly managed waste oil. Hazardous components, such as heavy metals and PAHs, are known carcinogens linked to skin irritation, respiratory issues, and long-term organ damage. When waste oil enters groundwater, it can contaminate drinking water supplies, posing further threats to public health.
Addressing these challenges requires the responsible management of waste lubricating oils. Proper disposal practices, efficient collection systems, and the promotion of recycling initiatives are critical to mitigating environmental and health impacts, while also enabling the potential recovery of valuable resources. This is at the heart of being a responsible lubricants sector and promoting sustainable behaviours to mitigate the risks associated with poor EoL practice.
.When released into the environment
3 European Commission, Waste Oil,
https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and- recycling/waste-oil_en
Version 11.06.2025 © ATIEL and UEIL Lubricants & Greases End of Life, Sustainable Best Practices Page 6 of 42
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