The European Union (EU) is
currently in the process of
developing a Thematic Strategy on
the Prevention and Recycling of
Waste and within this context it is
reviewing its approach to the
management of waste oils. Based
on a recent study by the Institut für
Energie-und Umweltforschung
(IFEU), in Heidelberg Germany, the
following paper examines the
regeneration of waste oils from an
environmental perspective and
demonstrates why it should remain
an EU policy priority.
Further to recent investments made
by the European regeneration
industry, the paper provides an
update on the current situation with
respect to regeneration in Europe.
After a short overview of the factors
which have largely led to the review
of the EU’s waste oils strategy, the
paper examines the environmental
impacts of regenerating waste oils
as compared to the primary
production of lubricants. It then goes
on to look at the environmental
implications of incineration, the main
alternative for treating waste oils.
The paper demonstrates that not
only should regeneration remain a
priority due to its potential to
conserve increasingly valuable
natural resources but also due to the
mitigation of other key
environmental impacts, including
reduction in emission of fine
particles, carcinogenic risk potential
and acidification.