Having successfully collected an impressive 136 900ℓ of used oil, used for a range of applications and industries, the Recycling Oil Saves the Environment (ROSE) Foundation-certified lubrication solutions provider Atlas Oil continues to set the benchmark for responsible used oil collection.

Atlas Oil stresses that with increasing pressure on industries to adopt sustainable practices, the proper disposal of used oil has become a critical environmental responsibility.

Subsequent to this realisation a year ago, Atlas Oil undertook the process of becoming a certified ROSE Foundation oil collector to offer to its clients a regulated and responsible solution for disposing of used oil.

The five-tiered process entailed acquiring a waste transportation permit from the relevant provincial or municipal bodies, as well as maintaining valid Dangerous Goods training certificates for Atlas Oil’s drivers and assistants.

The company also obtained the applicable oil spill control training certificates for drivers and assistants.

The final two steps entailed the drivers and assistants receiving appropriate first aid and firefighting training.

“One of the most significant risks when transporting used oil is spillage,” says Atlas Oil business development manager Edwin Fortune, adding that to mitigate this risk, Atlas Oil prioritises prevention and preparedness procedures.

He stresses that each collection team is equipped with essential spill response kits and undergoes regular training to ensure that they are always ready to handle potential incidents effectively and safely.

Recycling the Right Way

Previously, many oil users lacked a reliable way to ensure that their used oil was handled and disposed of safely and legally.

Improper disposal of used oil poses a significant threat to soil, water and air quality.

“Alarmingly, just 1 ℓ of used oil can contaminate up to a million litres of water,” he affirms.

Yet, thousands of litres are discarded incorrectly every year, often by businesses unaware of the dangers or misled by unregulated collectors.

The ROSE Foundation, a nationally recognised nonprofit organisation specialising in environmentally responsible used oil management, oversees the collection, handling, and recycling of used oil in compliance with applicable environmental legislation and standards.

Atlas Oil’s certification and partnership with the foundation serves as a contractual assurance to clients and stakeholders that all collected used oil is disposed of in a manner that is environmentally sound, ethically responsible and legally compliant.

“Our objective is to facilitate a straightforward and beneficial process for businesses to fulfil their environmental stewardship obligations,” states Fortune.

Additionally, its collaboration with the foundation guarantees that Atlas Oil clients not only mitigate environmental impact but minimise legal liabilities associated with improper waste disposal.

Atlas Oil’s ‘Used Oil Buy-Back Programme’ incentivises industries within sectors such as automotive, agriculture, logistics and manufacturing to return used oil.

The returned oil is collected, catalogued, and processed exclusively at facilities authorised by the foundation, supporting a circular economy model.

Using a ROSE Foundation-accredited collector enables businesses to satisfy their legal requirements under the Waste Management Act and the National Environmental Management Act, thereby helping to prevent regulatory penalties, reputational harm, and enforcement actions.

The foundation’s certification ensures traceability and accountability, environmental compliance, peace of mind and support for a circular economy, concludes Fortune.