Questions and Answers

Q What is the difference between "spent" and "used"?

A Chapter 173-303 WAC, the Dangerous Waste Regulations, define "Spent material" as any material that has been used and, because of contamination, can no longer serve the purpose for which it was produced without processing.

This can include spent lead acid batteries, spent antifreeze, spent pickle liquor, spent activated carbon, and spent sulfuric acid.

The rules define "Used oil" as any oil that has been refined from crude oil, or any synthetic oil, that has been used and because of such use is contaminated by physical or chemical impurities. The only material that can be marked as “used” is used oil.

For a list of materials that can be managed as used oil, see Ecology publication #06-04-00X Materials that may or may not be managed as used oil in Washington State. Label these materials “Used Oil” when you are recycling them.

For more information, contact Nolan Lattyak at (360) 407-6323.

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Questions? Need help? Call Cathy Bouge at (360) 407-6745 or e-mail her at cbou461@ecy.wa.gov.