Garages at the Heart of Recycling: A New Used Oil Factory to Reduce Pollution in Mauritius
Title: Garages at the Heart of Recycling: A New Used Oil Factory to Reduce Pollution in Mauritius
Content: With the increasing number of garages in Mauritius, Greened Oil Processing Ltd is venturing into the recycling of used oils in Laventure. This innovative project aims to transform hazardous waste into a reusable resource while protecting the environment.
As the automotive and industrial activities grow in Mauritius, the number of small garages continues to rise. Therefore, Greened Oil Processing Ltd plans to establish a used oil treatment plant in Laventure, located in the Flacq district.
Last week, the company submitted an official application for an EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) permit to the Ministry of Environment. This initiative seeks to address the lack of recycling infrastructure. With only three licensed recyclers on the island, the project aligns with national goals to reduce waste and promote a circular economy. A preliminary planning permission (OPP) has been requested from the Flacq District Council, and the factory is expected to process up to 1,500 liters of used oil per day.
Used oils, primarily generated from industrial activities and garages, are classified as hazardous waste due to their toxic properties. According to the EIA report submitted by the promoter, "one liter of used oil can contaminate one million liters of water," endangering aquatic life in rivers, lakes, and waterways. If released onto the ground, they severely contaminate the soil, leading to long-lasting impacts on ecosystems. In Mauritius, the growing use of lubricating and petroleum oils heightens this risk, making it essential to increase recycling centers to prevent illegal waste management practices.
Founded on January 17, 2025, Greened Oil Processing Ltd, the project's promoter, aims to collect used oils from small garages and small-scale industries. The factory will be set up in an existing 39 m² building, modified into two compartments, housing a vacuum oil purifier and storage tanks. The recycling process, which is straightforward and efficient, consists of four main steps: heating, filtration, dehydration/degassing, and absorbent regeneration. "The recycling process adopted is simple, consisting of four main steps: heating, filtration, dehydration/degassing, and absorbent regeneration," the document notes.
The machine the promoter plans to use, with a capacity of 600 liters per hour, will process used mechanical, hydraulic, compressor, and turbine oils. It quickly removes water, gases, impurities, and volatile compounds, restoring viscosity, flash point, and other performance indicators. After treatment, the refined oil will have "a low emulsification value, low water content, and high cleanliness," making it reusable in high-precision hydraulic equipment.
Technical features include a water separator made of high molecular weight coalescing material, a large surface cylindrical filter for precise filtration, and a carbon fiber heating system to avoid oil degradation. The device operates at a pressure of 0.4 MPa and a temperature of 20 to 80 °C, with an electrical consumption of 27 kW and a noise level of 65 to 80 dBA.
Storage in Tanks
In terms of inputs and outputs, the factory will process 1,500 liters of used oil daily, pumped from a storage tank to the purifier. The initial heating, at 40-70 °C, reduces viscosity to facilitate the separation of water, gases, and sludge. A pre-filtration step eliminates suspended solids – dust, metal particles, and contaminants – using a coarse filter, thus protecting downstream equipment. Vacuum dehydration in a low-pressure chamber vaporizes water and extracts dissolved gases (oxygen, carbon dioxide) via a vacuum pump, using a condensate trap.
Ultimately, 1,385 liters of regenerated oil will be produced for sale to garages and heavy machinery operators for lubrication. By-products will include 100 liters of contaminated sludge (metals and suspended solids), stored in dedicated containers and disposed of at the hazardous waste facility in La Chaumière. Additionally, 15 liters of condensation water will be collected and infiltrated into a soakaway.
During operations, risks of emissions, noise, leaks, and fire will be mitigated through retention tank storage, soundproof walls, adequate ventilation, and fire detection systems. A stormwater management system will prevent contamination during heavy rains. "The EIA study confirms that, with the proposed mitigation and monitoring measures in place, the project will not have significant negative impacts on the environment and will positively contribute to sustainable waste management in Mauritius."