Waste Oil Storage Tanks: All You Need to Know

Does your business produce waste oil? Waste oil can be hazardous when left to mix with other contaminants. That is why proper storage is a crucial step in your waste oil management practices. Many things will determine what proper waste oil storage entails. Most importantly, local and state or territory regulations exist to ensure waste oil is stored correctly to prevent it from contaminating the air, water sources and land. Whether you intend to burn your waste oil or engage the services of a waste oil collection company, you must store it properly first. And using appropriate storage tanks is the first place to start. Here are some ins and outs about waste oil storage tanks to help you.

Storage Tank Material

Plastic and steel are the two primary waste oil storage tank materials you will find. You must evaluate the pros and cons of each to find one that best works for you. The plastic material used for storing waste oil is typically sturdy and durable and won't wear easily if maintained properly. Also, many plastic waste oil storage tanks are semi-transparent, which is ideal when it comes to monitoring waste oil levels from the outside. That means you don't have to worry about overfilling the tank accidentally. Cost-effectiveness is another top advantage of plastic tanks, but this will depend on aspects like the tank size you are buying. To prevent odours that may come from your waste oil, choose thicker plastic tanks.

While plastic tanks are made to last, they are not as durable and secure as their steel counterparts. Therefore, steel is the perfect solution if you are concerned about your waste oil storage tank's structural integrity. However, consider stainless steel instead of regular steel to prevent corrosion, which may compromise its sturdiness.

Skin Type and Bunding

Waste oil storage tanks can be single-skinned or double-skinned. The main difference is that single-skinned tanks are usually made from a single layer of plastic or steel. These tanks are generally more susceptible to damage, and in most cases, you will need to bund the tank. Bunding involves adding a secondary containment, known as a bund, around or inside the tank to prevent environmental contamination when you experience spillage. Keep in mind that many regulations require the bund to hold more of your waste oil storage tank's capacity to ensure all the waste oil can be contained in the event of a spillage