Used Oil

DEQ's Used Oil Management program is responsible for conducting field surveys to auto dealers and repair shops, heavy equipment shops, garment factories and commercial establishments, including government facilities (DPW, DLNR, CUC, PSS, Office of the Mayor) to determine the facility's compliance to the Used Oil Management Regulations.

A Notification Form for Used Oil Generatoris completed by the regulated facility. Generators are allowed to store 275 gallons or five 55-gallon drums of used oil in a concrete containment area at any one time for an onsite facility. All used oil containers must have a clearly written label or marking that states "USED OIL ONLY" on its sides(s) to prevent the mixing of used oil particularly with a hazardous substance. Facilities must have an Oil Spill Response Plan to address spill incidents at the active area. Commercial or large facilities storing 1320 gallons of regulated products must have a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC).. A EPA SPCC Guide is also available.

Permitting
Any person who transports, collects, or burns for disposal used oil, shall first apply for a Used Oil Permit Application Form from DEQ. Each burner unit must be registered and the fee is fifty dollars ($50.00). Used oil operation permits must be renewed each year.

The permit is required from DEQ prior to burning of the used oil by any regulated facilities. This branch works closely with the Air Branch to review and determine compliance with the air emission standards based on the DEQ Air Regulation. There are two (2) types of used oil processing facilities: commercial and on-site. Commercial refers to operators or facilities that process used oil from other companies including their own used oil from their onsite processing facility. On-site facilities are those that burn used oil generated within their own facilities, such as auto shops, dealers and water pools.

All used oil are required to be sampled and field and laboratory tested to determine if the samples collected are "clean" used oil prior to burning in the certified used oil burner. Any mixture of used oil and other chemicals (i.e. brake and transmission fluid, coolants) are considered a hazardous waste. A certified environmental consultant must be obtained or hired to collect samples and determine the contaminants prior to packaging and shipping off island for proper disposal. A track record must be kept at the field office for DEQ's review during site inspection or monitoring of the facility. Used oil may also be recycled or reused by refining the oil per EPA approved facility.

For businesses that engage in transportation via shipping of used oil, a Used Oil Manifest is required.

Regulations
The purpose of the Used Oil Management Regulations is to establish and ensure safe and proper management practice in the handling of the used oil from the initial point of generation to the final disposal action and to prevent environmental contamination and protect public health.

The following documents are available regarding this topic:

Notification Form for Used Oil Generator

Used Oil Management Regulations

Used Oil Operator & Burner Unit Registration

Used Oil Storage Design Example

EPA SPCC Guide to Oil Pollution Prevention

Used Oil Manifest

Used Oil Permit Application Form

Used Oil Fact Sheet (Saipan)

Oil Filter Fact Sheet (Saipan)

Stormwater Fact Sheet (Saipan)