Motor Oil

Green purchasing guidance for motor oil, including:

Preferred specifications

Purchasers should include these specifications, unless not possible:

  • RCW 43.19A: Recycled Product Procurement set a goal of substantially increasing the state’s purchases of recycled-content products, directs the state to set recycled-content standards, and authorizes state agencies to specify, give priority to and/or offer price preferences for products that contain recycled materials. In addition, DES’ Recycled Content Purchasing Preference Policy (DES-255-00) states, “In establishing environmental requirements and preferences for products that contain recycled materials, agencies shall reference the current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (EPA CPGs) as the minimum standards for the state of Washington.” This policy also directs state agencies to offer a purchasing preference of at least 10% to bidders whose products have a recycled-content percentage that exceeds the EPA CPG minimum.
    Accordingly, purchasers should include on their bid list re-refined motor oil that contains at least 25% re-refined base stock, whi>ch is consistent with U.S. EPA’s Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG) for Motor Oil. Motor oil products with more than 25% re-refined based stock are eligible for price preference of 10%.
    Bidders and vendors should offer and clearly label motor oil that is listed in the USDA’s BioPreferred Products Catalog. USDA BioPreferred vehicular lubricants (listed under crankcase oil) contain at least 25% biobased content. USDA Biobased Certified products are preferable.
    All motor oil (including virgin, re-refined or biobased) must be certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API). Oil change service providers must offer motor oil with at least 25% re-refined base stock unless it is unavailable. They must also recycle used motor oil at a state of Washington-approved used oil recycling center. In addition, they are eligible for a bid preference of at least 10% if they use motor oil exceeding 25% re-refined base stock.

Laws, rules, and executive orders

These laws, rules, and executive orders must be included in the contract language:

Find these products on statewide contracts

Find products that meet Washington’s green purchasing specifications:

End of life

Surplus goods that still can be used

  • Use surplus disposal to get rid of items you no longer need. Keep materials out of landfills and make funds for your agency.

Recycling and disposal

Hazardous waste disposal guidelines and options:

Contact us

Leatta Dahlhoff

Environmental Technical Analyst