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Used oil gets a second life in Murcia as thousands of tonnes are turned into new lubricant
The recycling process returned enough new lubricant to fill the crankcases of 960,000 cars
Ever wondered what happens to the oil drained from your car or machinery once it’s no longer any good?
In the Region of Murcia, much of it gets a surprisingly useful second life. More than 6,400 tonnes of used industrial oil were collected in 2025, with almost all of it processed to recover valuable materials.
Used oil is classed as hazardous waste because it can contain toxic substances and heavy metals. Just one litre can potentially contaminate up to one million litres of water, making proper collection particularly important.
According to SIGAUS, which organises the collection and recovery of used industrial oil, the 6,421 gross tonnes generated in Murcia last year came from 2,656 businesses.
Mechanical workshops accounted for 53% of them, while another 13% were industrial facilities. The rest came from a wide range of businesses including agriculture, transport, hospitality and retail.
Once collected, the oil is treated to remove water and other impurities. In 2025, this produced 6,236 net tonnes of used oil for recovery. Almost all of it, 99.6%, went through regeneration. This process extracts lubricant base oils that can be used to make new lubricants.
The results are impressive. Around three litres of used oil can produce two litres of new lubricant, and the recycled oil collected in Murcia helped put 3,890 tonnes of new lubricants back on the market last year.
That's enough to fill the crankcases of around 960,000 passenger cars. The remaining 23 tonnes were treated to produce 20 tonnes of BIA fuel, a low-sulphur industrial fuel used in furnaces and boilers.
The recycling process also avoided an estimated 4,157 tonnes of CO₂ emissions, since regenerating used oil requires less energy than producing new petroleum-based lubricants.
SIGAUS CEO Eduardo de Lecea explained that the figures show how the circular economy is already working in practice, turning hazardous waste into useful resources while reducing its environmental impact.
Image: Magnific
Address
C/Mayor 67 No 11 Los Belones 30385 MurciaTel: 968 733 092
Mobile: 660 67 40 94 (Whats app)
Mobile: 660 67 40 94 (Whats app)
Authentic Nepali and Indian flavours arrive in Los Belones with something on the menu for everyone
Annapurna Nepali & Indian Restaurant opens its doors in Los Belones on Friday January 30, bringing a wide-ranging menu inspired by the rich flavours of Nepal and India.
Alongside all the classic favourites, diners will find an impressive choice of vegetarian and vegan curries, chef’s specials and even fish and chips, making it an easy choice for mixed groups.
The restaurant also features a spacious, heated outdoor terrace and offers both eat-in and takeaway options.
Annapurna is open daily from 12pm to 3pm for lunch and from 6pm to 11pm for dinner.
Contact details:
Address: C/ Mayor 67, No 11, Los Belones, 30385 Murcia
Phone: 968 733 092 | WhatsApp 660 67 40 94
Website: annapurnanepali.com
