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What is Re-Refined Oil?
Re-refined oil is used motor oil that undergoes an extensive re-refining process
to remove contaminants to produce a good-as-new base oil. This base oil is then
sold to blenders who add additive packages to produce lubricants such as motor
oil, transmission fluid, and grease. The main difference between re-refined and
virgin oil products is that re-refined represents the responsible choice for the
environment.
Are Re-Refined Lubricants Safe to Use?
Lubricants made from re-refined base stocks must undergo the same testing and meet the same standards as virgin lubricants in order to receive the certification of the American Petroleum Institute (API). Vehicle and engine manufacturers such as Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, and Detroit Diesel have issued warranty statements that allow the use of re-refined oil as long as it meets API standards. Many government and private fleets have used re-refined lubricants in their vehicles for years and report no difference in performance from virgin lubricants.
Why Use Re-Refined Oil?
Re-refined oil is good for the environment and it’s priced competitively to
regular motor oil. Also, do-it-yourself oil changers “close the recycling loop”
with re-refined oil by turning in their old oil and purchasing motor oil that
has been used, re-refined, and put back on store shelves for reuse.
Buying re-refined oil reduces our dependence on imported oil, reduces the depletion of natural resources, eliminates waste material, and helps create jobs. By using and promoting the use of re-refined lubricants, you accomplish the following:
- Preserve a non-renewable resource—oil.
- Demonstrate your commitment to a cleaner environment through recycling and proper waste management.
- Help protect the environment against pollution.
Re-Refined Oil by the Numbers
It takes one gallon of used oil to produce 2.5 quarts of re-refined oil.
Recognized as one of the largest California State fleets, the Department of General Services maintains approximately 7,000 vehicles with re-refined oil. In total, State agencies annually purchase approximately 189,890 gallons of re-refined oil.
If all used motor oil generated by the public was collected and re-refined, it would provide enough oil for more than 8 million cars each year.
What is Being Done to Promote the Use of Re-Refined Oil?
The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) promotes closed loop recycling and the use of re-refined lubricants. The CIWMB awarded a contract to the California State University-Long Beach Foundation to promote the use of re-refined lubricants. The Long Beach Foundation project focuses on fleet manager training. Fleet manager training increases the market demand for re-refined oil by educating fleet managers on re-refined oil quality and successful uses.
Local governments, State colleges and universities, and correctional facilities can purchase re-refined oil for their fleet vehicles through the State’s
lubrication contract. For more information about re-refined oil or the existing State
lubrication contract, visit CIWMB's Re-Refined Oil
website.
You may also download this fact sheet in MS Word or Adobe PDF, or order hard copies, from our Publications
Catalog (in English).
Spanish version of The Facts
About Re-Refined Oil.
See also Myths and Questions About Re-Refined Oil
Re-Refined Oil Home
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