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Title Management of waste lubricant oil in Europe: A circular economy approach
ID_Doc 28172
Authors Pinheiro, CT; Quina, MJ; Gando-Ferreira, LM
Title Management of waste lubricant oil in Europe: A circular economy approach
Year 2021
Published Critical Reviews In Environmental Science And Technology, 51.0, 18
DOI 10.1080/10643389.2020.1771887
Abstract This work presents an updated overview of waste lubricant oil (WLO) management practices in Europe to promote a circular economy. The characteristics of virgin and waste oil, their hazardous properties and the impacts of improper disposal are addressed. Current treatment routes and regeneration technologies adopted in Europe are presented. An overview of life cycle assessment (LCA) of WLO management strategies are summarized. Finally, future developments and concerns about the regeneration process are discussed. The current objectives of European Union toward a circular economy represent a challenge for Member States which must maximize the collection and recycling rates. EU management indicators show an overwhelming trend for recycling. However, there is a competition between recycling by regeneration to produce base oil and reprocessing for energy recovery. EU legislation states that priority should be given to options that provide better overall environmental outcome. However, LCA studies, are not unanimous about regeneration being the soundest environmental option. Other factors such as lubricant market, energy consumption, distance to treatment facilities, operation costs and product quality should be accounted for. Selective segregation of WLO is extremely important to increase the regeneration rate and obtain high-quality base-stocks. However, this means a significant increase in the collection costs.
Author Keywords Hazardous waste; lubricant oil; management strategies
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000542804900001
WoS Category Environmental Sciences
Research Area Environmental Sciences & Ecology
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