ATIEL & UEIL Joint Sustainability Committee 3.3 Waste Hierarchy
3.3.1 Waste Framework Directive The EU Waste Directive 2008/98/EC6
, known as the Waste Framework Directive (WFD),
establishes a comprehensive waste management framework across Europe, fully aligned with the principles of a circular economy. The WFD specifically addresses waste oils by providing clear guidelines for their management. Prevention is the highest priority, followed by reuse, recycling (regeneration), and other forms of recovery. Additionally, the WFD provides further guidance on waste oils through specific articles to ensure they are managed in a sustainable and safe manner.
Key provisions relevant to waste oils include Article 3, which defines waste oils and regeneration; Article 4, which introduces the Waste Hierarchy, a core component of EU waste policy; and Article 21, which focuses on waste oils. Article 21 encourages Member States to promote separate collection and implement measures to prevent the mixing of waste oils with other substances that could impede their treatment. It also provides guidelines for managing waste oils in line with the Waste Hierarchy, prioritizing regeneration as the preferred approach.
The Waste Hierarchy is typically represented as an inverted pyramid, with the most preferred options, such as prevention and recycling, at the top, and disposal at the bottom as the last resort solution.
Figure 2: Waste Hierachy 7 For lubricants at their End of Life, the following waste hierarchy shall apply as a priority order:
Waste Hierarchy
1. Prevention Relevance for Lubricants
Reducing waste generation at the source is the highest priority. By using high-performance oils that allow for extended oil change
6 EU Waste Directive 2008/98/EC,
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32008L0098 7
Waste Framework Directive, European Commission,
https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste- and-recycling/waste-framework-directive_en
Version 11.06.2025 © ATIEL and UEIL Lubricants & Greases End of Life, Sustainable Best Practices Page 8 of 42
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