If you have recently opened a manufacturing plant that uses cooking oil, motor oil, or other oil-based lubricants to create products, then you likely have some waste oil piling up in barrels or bins that will need to be discarded in a proper manner. To get rid of the oil properly and in a timely manner, consider renting a waste oil dumpster from your local waste management company. Not only will the oil be properly collected in one area, but much of the waste oil will actually be recycled and re-refined in a way that helps the environment. However, if you are constantly pouring oil into the dumpster, then you may make a bit of a mess on occasion. Keep reading to learn about some tips that will help you to keep your oil dumpster as neat and tidy as possible.

Invest in a Dumpster Pad

If you have a dumpster sitting just outside your manufacturing plant, then you may have invested in a concrete pad to set the dumpster on. This is often wise to reduce damage along asphalt parking lots and loading areas where the dumpsters are commonly secured. Without this type of pad, the dumpster may be set down in a way that permanently damages the asphalt. The best concrete pad is one that extends 10 or 15 feet in front of the dumpster and is also around six to eight inches thick. While this pad can contain some of the oil that may spill from the dumpster, the concrete is likely to become slippery and dirty as well. This means that a separate pad should be placed on top of the concrete one.

To help minimize spill issues and to also collect spilt oil, make sure to set a grease pad or a spill containment system on top of the concrete pad. This type of device is meant to sit directly underneath the waste oil dumpster. The pad is made from rubber, polypropylene, or fiberglass, and sits a few inches high on each side. The middle of the pad is open or hollow to collect oil and a steel grate sits over the pad. The pad can be cleaned out periodically on the days when the dumpster is emptied, or you can place an absorbent fabric in the bottom of the spill container that can be replaced every so often. 

If you do decide to clean out the spill guard, use a small shovel to scrape up the oil from the bottom of the container and place it in a garbage bag. Dish soap and hot water can be used to clean out the leftover oil residue. Think about using a cotton rag to do the cleaning and throw it away when you are done. Also, use kitty litter to sop up any oil that spills around the dumpster before it can stain the asphalt.

Use Pouring Equipment

If your manufacturing facility is large enough that waste oil must be stored in large 55 gallon drums before it is transported to the outdoor dumpster, then it is probably impossible to pour the contents of the drum into the dumpster by using funnels, step ladders, and dollies alone, especially since the contents will weigh several hundred pounds.

To help reduce spill issues, consider investing in drum handling and drum pouring equipment. This equipment usually consists of a forklift with a steel attachment on the top of the lift that attaches to the drum. Both the forklift and attachment part of the device can be controlled. This allows you or one of your employees to connect one drum to the forklift. The forklift can be driven outside and the fork part of the machinery can be elevated. Once the drum is secured higher than the lip of the dumpster and the lid is opened, the attachment can be maneuvered to tip the barrel so the oil pours into the dumpster. If you are concerned about splash back, then a large funnel can be connected to the dumpster to prevent this. 

For more information about the parts and supplies you may need for storing waste oil, contact a dumpster rental service.