Can't recycle hydraulic oil...what?

[gwdixon]

Just came from the local garbage company's oil recycling site. Had 30 gallons of oil in 5 gallon containers.

They rejected two of the containers that were filled with hydraulic fluid. One guy said that it was "too clean". The person in charge called the office and asked about transmission fluid. Nope, it is hazardous waste and is not accepted for recycling. I explained that I had been recycling hydraulic oil for years at their site but that didn't make a difference.

Two tractors take 15 gallon of hydraulic oil each so there is plenty of it used around the farm.

I have a call into the supervisor at the garbage company regarding the matter. An Internet search shows other towns accept hydraulic oil for recycling.

Anyone have experience with this? What is a good argument?

If all else fails I intend to mix it with used engine oil to make it look dark. Just plain stupid in my opinion.

 

[clemsonfor]

I pour all my old oil into old 5 gallon buckets. Oil transmission fluid, hydro fluid. I put it all in the used oil container, just dont tell them whats in it. All hydro fluid is is 20wt oil with different additives in it?? NOt sure what there talking about. You can find someone with a wasste oil burner but seeing as your in the republic of CA i am not sure those are legal there?

 

[hr3]

Northern Cal. ??? Does it get cold up there ??? Here in Maine we take ours to a garage that heats with waste oil... If you have enough of it they will even pay...

 

[stuckmotor]

Here's a link to a list of what's accepted in S.C.'s collection tanks.
SCDHEC: Land & Waste Management
ATF and hydraulic fluid are on the accepted list. It's probably should be noted that we're the state that used to accept nuclear waste from all over the country.

 

[dmccarty]

Sounds like ignorance to me and they ain't got a clue.

Our county dump station will take the oil and during the winter we can go to the dump and get rid of pretty much anything. I think the dump stations have a limit on the amount they will take but a few five gallon buckets has never been a problem. When they have the dump open to take anything, they accept larger amounts. I just save up my oil until I have a large truck load and go to the big dump. They will take the buckets or pour the buckets out for me.

Later,
Dan

 

[jeff9366]

Walmarts with Auto Centers and Tractor Supply Company stores accept oil for recycling. I have contributed hydraulic oil to both.

At TSC it can be a little difficult, at times, to find an employee trained to receive oil.

 

[hosspuller]

The issue is your quantity. And non-thinking employees with a special case. Just break it up into what ever gallons they accepted before. Mix in some used engine oil to make it what they're used to.

The key point is don't make waves. It swamps small minds.

 

[jinman]

I mix 1 gallon of hydraulic oil with 5 gallons of diesel and burn it in my tractor as fuel. I've mixed and burned over 10 gallons this way with no ill effects whatsoever. I have not tried it with synthetic transmission fluid, only petroleum based fluid. I bet if you put an ad in craigslist, you'll get some interest, especially if you make it free if they come and get it.

 

[schmism]

pour 1 gal of engine oil into the used hydrulic oil... then its all "dirty" engine oil.

same goes for trans oil. Might even have some brake fulid in it as well as rear diff fluid.

 

[KTurner]

Just came from the local garbage company's oil recycling site. Had 30 gallons of oil in 5 gallon containers.

They rejected two of the containers that were filled with hydraulic fluid.

They probably didn't see hydraulic fluid specifically listed on their list of approved substances and are scared of contaminating a whole tank of recyclable fluid.

Keith