Stourport firm teams up with oil giant on recycling scheme

A Stourport-based recycling firm has teamed up with oil giant Castrol to deliver a "UK first" oil reuse pilot programme.

The initiative by Slicker Recycling sees digital meters installed in waste oil tanks of customers in the automotive and industrial sectors to alert them when nearly full, before the waste oil is collected and recycled at the firm's specialist facility in Denmark. 

The company says as collection lorries will only visit when the tanks are at capacity, the scheme will maximise the amount of oil collected on each visit and reduce the costs associated with frequent collections, as well as simplifying the process for their customers. 

The partnership announcement comes after Slicker Recycling was awarded with a prestigious 2024 King’s Award for Enterprise, recognising its strong working practices, growth in overseas trade, business excellence and sustainable development.

Mark Olpin, executive chairman of Slicker Recycling said the partnership deal between Slicker Recycling and Castrol would help to drive "a more circular approach" to used oil management in the UK. 

“We’re extremely proud to partner with such a respected global brand like Castrol and support them in driving circularity," he said.

"It’s a hugely exciting scheme which we believe is a first in the UK. The learnings will help inform how we collect and process used oil in a more sustainable way.

"By using digital tank telemetry technology, it offers a simplified end-to-end lubricant management system, meaning customers don’t have to call us, and only full loads will be collected. Essentially, it allows for a more efficient service and maximises the opportunity to collect much more used lubricating oil which will then be put back into circulation."

The telemetry system will begin to be rolled out in November with the first 250 units set to be delivered to customers UK-wide.

So-called 're-refined' oils can be repurposed into new motor oil, lubricants, or fuel oil, which reduces the need for crude oil. Globally, the waste oil recycling industry is worth around £50billion, and is expected to grow by around 6.5 per cent annually between 2024 and 2033.

Vesna Di Tomasso, CEO Castrol Europe added: “We know our customers are focussed on sustainability and are looking for ways to reduce waste and become more circular. This pilot will help us test a more circular lubricant lifecycle with our customers.”