What Are The Current Problems With Lubricant Bottle Methods Of Collection, Aggregation, And Processing? Why Does This Matter?

The United States has experienced significant growth in the total production of passenger cars and commercial vehicles, including trucks and buses in the last few decades. In 2018, the total production was estimated to be around 11 million units, having risen 30%[1] in the previous 10 years. This rise in the production of vehicles has led to higher consumption of maintenance products, such as lubricant oil. This expansion puts pressure on the already difficult problem of waste disposal that the US currently faces as it increases the quantity of hazardous waste and materials of difficult degradation being disposed of in landfills, such as lubricant oil containers.

Every engine needs oil to function properly. Based on research conducted amongst the NLCRC members, in the United States, nearly one hundred thousand tons[2] of quarter-sized HDPE motor oil containers were sold in 2018.

Plastic oil containers cannot be easy accepted in recycling facilities due to the residual oil they contain after use. Even after oil changes, around 2 oz of product remains in the container. Therefore, the container itself is also considered hazardous waste by recyclers and should be managed separately from other plastic waste. When these are disposed of in landfills, they may contaminate the environment. According to research, one gallon of used lubricant oil can contaminate one million gallons of water, and its degradation can take 300 years[3].

Additionally, because natural HDPE is commonly preferred over pigmented HDPE, it is 5 times less probable to be found in municipal waste streams. Natural HDPE is also recycled 1.4 times more than other types of plastics packaging[4]. However, because lubricant oil bottles are made from pigmented HDPE, and due to the residual oil they contain post-use, they are 7.5 times less likely to be recycled and, therefore, end up in landfills. Further, the degradation of HDPE can take up to 100 years depending on the thickness of the container.

The implementation of effective and sustainable waste management strategies is of critical importance in the US. The challenges with recycling HDPE from lubricant containers, given the costs of virgin plastics, have led to minimal solutions. Therefore, landfills are the only economic choice for disposal over other options such as recycling or incineration.

From industries to households, everyone has an essential role in reducing the lubricant container waste problem in the US. The US lubricant industry is taking a leadership stance on this national issue with the formation of the National Lubricant Container Recycling Coalition (NLCRC).

Our founding leaders include Castrol, Valvoline, Pennzoil - Quaker State Company, Graham Packaging, and Plastipak Packaging.

Learn how the NLCRC is addressing the waste problem by becoming a member. Connect with us through LinkedIn and Twitter. If you have any questions or inquires, send us an email to hello@nationallcrc.com.

[1] According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).  

[2] This estimation is considered low because it excludes e-commerce, dealerships, quick lubes, and commercial sales.

[3] Willing, A. Lubricants based on renewable resources—An environmentally compatible alternative to mineral oil products. Chemosphere 2001, 43, 89–98. Source.

[4] We are assuming that contaminated and pigmented HDPE is categorized as “other type of plastics packaging” according to EPA.