Used oil: a little waste, a big danger. CONOU recycles it this way

That of used oil is one of the biggest threats to the sea and the environment. One virtuous response is that provided by the CONOU model: let’s see how it works

Used oil is a classic example of how something small, if mishandled, can be catastrophic to something very large like the sea, or vice versa, how a simple good practice-collection and delivery through CONOU(National Consortium for the Management, Collection and Treatment of Used Mineral Oils)-can make a difference, protecting our ecosystem.

A few liters ruin everything

Lubricating oils, which are indispensable for engines, gearboxes and transmissions-as much on cars as on boats of all kinds-become an insidious and highly hazardous waste at the end of their cycle of use. Classified by law as “hazardous waste,” used oil, if dispersed into the environment, can seriously harm both aquatic fauna and flora, contaminate entire watersheds and render valuable resources such as drinking water or bathing water unusable.

How many of us really know that just one liter of used oil is enough to render up to a million liters of water unusable? Or that an ordinary oil change (an average of four liters) can pollute an area equivalent to six Olympic-sized swimming pools or an entire soccer field? It is a silent threat that is often underestimated or, worse, handled superficially.
The issue becomes even more critical in the nautical sphere: from the small outboard motor to the main apparatus of a yacht, thousands of oil changes are performed each year in Italian marinas, marinas and public docks.

Italy, with more than 7,000 kilometers of coastline and thousands of marinas and commercial ports, is one of the top nations in the Mediterranean in terms of boat traffic and presence. Any slightest negligence in the collection and proper disposal of oil can result in devastating environmental damage, which goes far beyond a single oil slick in a dock: contamination of sea or lake water disrupts the life cycles of plants and animals, compromising the quality of fisheries, public health and the very beauty of our seas.

The CONOU Consortium

To defend our marine environment, fortunately, there is a virtuous and well-established model: the CONOU, operating since 1984 is now considered one of the most advanced systems in Europe in the field of used oil collection and recovery. II CONOU has not only enabled Italy to achieve almost total “circularity” in the management of end-of-life lubricants, but also stands out for its widespread presence along all Italian coasts and ports. Contrary to what many people believe, the used oil take-back service is not limited to workshops or large industries, but also extends to marinas, ports and harbors, both sea and lake, with a completely free service for those who dispose of properly.

The CONOU system consists of 58 collection companies, distributed throughout Italy, plus three regeneration plants. The supply chain serves more than 103,000 collection points (2024 data), including hundreds of ports, marinas, boatyards and realities associated directly with the yachting world.

Anyone who holds used lubricating oil-from the owner of a small boat to the port’s technical services operator-can request free pickup through a dedicated call center(toll-free number 800 863 048), via the Web(www.conou.it) or through the local contact person. CONOU collectors respond quickly, ensuring dedicated logistics and compliant storage so that the risks of accidental spills are completely zero.

From waste to resource

Once collected, more than 98 percent of the oil is sent for regeneration: through advanced refining processes, used oil is transformed into new lubricating bases ready to return to new life. Only a fraction, when too contaminated, is thermodestroyed. This process reduces dependence on oil imports, with significant economic and environmental benefits. In more than 40 years of operation, 3 billion euros in oil imports have been saved in this way, and more than 6 million tons of used oil have returned to the market in the form of new regenerated bases.

The benefits of this management are enormous and certified. In 2024 alone, the CONOU system collected 188,000 tons of used oil, almost all of the amount theoretically collectable in Italy, of which more than 98 percent was sent to regeneration against a European average of around 61 percent). This has saved more than 7.4 million gigajoules of fossil energy and 49 million cubic meters of water, in addition to avoiding emissions of about 90,000 tons of CO, equivalent. The supply chain also produces a positive impact on the economy (estimated at about 73 million euros between direct and indirect impacts) and employment (about 1,850 direct and induced jobs).

When collection is as effective as CONOU’s, the cycle becomes truly “circular”: the waste is not dispersed, but re-enters the market as a new, safe, quality product, in full compliance with European standards and sustainability goals.

How to dispose of

For those who sail, run a marina, or operate in the recreational sector, this means being able to count on a service that is completely free, easy to activate, and above all, widespread and fast. Even small quantities make a difference: the service activates from minimal quantities, so that even small boaters or marina operators can properly dispose of the waste. Not everyone knows that the typical “mistake” – pouring waste oil down the drain, into the trash can, on the ground or directly into the sea – is not only ecologically serious, but also sanctioned by regional and national regulations.

Oil should never be mixed with other liquids or wastes (such as solvents, fats, coolants), lest it lose its recoverable characteristics. And the producer is always responsible until final disposal: taking it to CONOU collection centers or requesting pickup at port is an act of respect for the sea we love so much and for future generations of boaters.

The Italian model, led by CONOU, is on the top step in Europe in the circular management of used mineral oils. Compared to an EU average of 82 percent for collection and 61 percent for regeneration, CONOU achieves near total levels of recovery and regeneration. The Italian regulatory framework is in this case virtuous and designed to incentivize the voluntary participation of operators in the recovery chain, combining environmental and economic sustainability with clear and shared rules.

Do your part

If you sail, manage or frequent a marina, you have a key role to play: pay attention to where your used oil goes, activate the CONOU service in your harbor, raise awareness among others, and demand the utmost care from those performing maintenance. Don’t hesitate to ask about the free used oil collection service at your port or marina. Remember: one gallon misplaced can ruin everyone’s water.

For more information on used oil collection at ports and to activate the free service see www.conou.it or call 800 863 048.