Liquid Recycling

Safe, compliant recycling of liquids

We collect and recycle used oils, antifreeze, waste water, car wash sludge and other liquid industrial wastes on a set schedule or as needed. Since we began in the ‘80’s we’ve collected and recycled over 100 million gallons of used oil, as well as large quantities of other controlled liquids. Our experienced drivers are trained in HMS-126 and HMS-181 (Hazardous Waste Handling) and complete refresher classes every two years. Every ounce of waste is handled safely, legally and with the greatest attention to detail. For example, used oil reclamation involves the following steps:

Step 1:

For clients that are conditionally exempt, a representative composite sample of the used oil is tested on site. For small quantity or large quantity generators, a representative composite sample of the used oil is tested in our laboratory to determine if the product meets specification and ensure there is no contamination with hazardous waste.

Step 2:

Once the oil sample has been cleared of hazardous waste contamination, it is removed from the facility. At this time a sample is retained by the driver and kept by our laboratory for future documentation.

Step 3:

All appropriate paperwork is reviewed and designed in accordance with Department of Transportation and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).

Step 4:

The oil is transported directly to the closest Crystal Flash Branch location and forwarded to our oil processing facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After receiving the oil from its clients, Crystal Flash signs off on the Universal Hazardous Waste Manifest as the TSD facility and forwards copies of the completed paperwork to the client and the MDEQ.

Step 5:

Each bulk shipment is analyzed to determine if the oil contains any hazardous material. Once the oil’s characteristics are determined, it is offloaded into one of several tanks for processing. Should the oil contain hazardous material, Crystal Flash will refer to the retained samples that were taken from each stop that contributed to the load. Upon determining where the hazardous material came from, the generator of tainted oil would then be responsible for any additional costs related to treatment or disposal of all gallons contaminated on that shipment.

Step 6:

Once one of the 20,000 gallon processing tanks is full of oil, a sample will be taken from the tank and taken to our laboratory where bench testing will take place. This isdone to determine the amount of chemical that is needed to treat the oil and the amount of time needed to achieve a good break between the oil and miscellaneous contaminates.

Step 7:

The correct amount of chemicals is added to the oil as it is transferred through a heat exchanger to elevate the oil temperature to 180°F. Once the chemical has been thoroughly mixed in the oil and the desired temperature is attained, the pumps are shut down and the oil is permitted to rest for 24 to 48 hours to achieve optimum separation.

Step 8:

All unwanted contamination settles to the bottom of the tank and is transferred to our "off specification" tank. These contaminants are treated again and shipped to a privately owned centralized waste water treatment facility where they are treated again before discharge to a municipal waste water treatment plant.

Step 9:

The used oil that is now free of all contaminants is analyzed once again to determine if it can be classified as “on specification fuel.

Step 10:

On specification fuel is then marketed to end users who are licensed to burn used oil “on specification fuel” as outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations book 40 parts 279.

Step 11:

Every load of oil that leaves our plant is accompanied by an analytical report. We keep records of every load that is sold with cross references to the analytical report for three years as required by the EPA 40 CFR parts 279.