Our Positions
GEIR advocates for an increase in the collection and regeneration of waste oils, through:
1
Setting mandatory targets for collection and regeneration
2
Ensuring a high level of recycled content in lubricants
3
Adopting efficient Extended Producer Responsibility schemes
The Waste Framework Directive (WFD) (Directive 2008/98/EC) establishes a waste hierarchy, with waste prevention as the primary target, followed by preparing for re-use and recycling, and then recovery and disposal). Regarding waste oils, Article 21 of the Directive outlines that waste oils should be collected separately unless this is not technically feasible.
Furthermore, waste oils should be treated giving priority to regeneration (re-refining) over energy recovery and disposal. However, despite the introduction of the waste hierarchy, inadequate implementation across the Member States and the competition for the energetic recovery (processing into fuels and burning) of waste oils remain ongoing issues that prevent the further re-refining of waste oils across Europe.
GEIR Fact Sheet
To learn more about GEIR and the role of the re-refining industry in Europe, you can download the GEIR factsheet using the button below.
GEIR Position on the Revision of the Waste Framework Directive
GEIR’s position paper on the revision of the Waste Framework Directive sets out measures to strengthen waste oil circularity and regeneration. Download it below.
Final Report Summary: Updated LCA for regeneration waste oil to base oil
The European Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC) provides explicit instructions for waste oil management, prioritising options for the best environmental outcome according to the waste hierarchy. In line with this, ifeu conducted two LCA studies for GEIR in 2005...
SUMMARY: Ecological and energetic assessment of re-refining waste oils to base oils: Substitution of primarily produced base oils including semi-synthetic and synthetic compounds
GEIR position paper on the Waste Framework Directive revision – 2016
GEIR response to the public consultation on the modernisation of European public procurement rules
Clean, Clever and Competitive: why the recycling of waste oils must remain an EU policy priority
Okopol Paper; “Increasing world market prices- driver for high level recycling!?”
GEIR Case Study for Greece