Chile recently adopted an extended responsibility law that will require lubricant suppliers to ensure that their products are recycled after use.
Mandates do not begin until the start of 2027, but the regulation aims to eventually recycle 90% of collectable waste lubes.
Published in September, the law is part of Chile’s sustainability movement and efforts to manage hazardous and problematic waste. Lubricants are the third material to come under such extended responsibility law, following tires and packaging.
The lubricant regulation will require companies producing, marketing and importing more than minimal amounts of finished lubes – along with supply points such as automotive workshops and other engine oil installers – to ensure that they are collected after use and recycled. Companies may collect oil themselves or organize third parties to do so.
The portion of lubricants that must be recycled will increase over time, starting with 50% in 2027 and increasing to 90% by the 12th year.
In a November 11 post about the regulation, the country’s Environment Ministry said Chile generates 126,000 metric tons of used lubricants per year and that 47% are collected and recycled according to current requirements.
The ministry also said the country will need more facilities to process used lubes. In 2022, used oil management company Recvoil began building the country’s first rerefinery – a small plant that it aimed to open this year. In April waste management firm Via Limpia received approval to build another rerefinery.