At AVISTA OIL, we are currently focusing intensively on the document ‘Lubricants & Greases: End of Life – Sustainable Best Practices’ (2024) by ATIEL and UEIL. Many of the best practices described there reflect our actions – that is why we are presenting the individual chapters in a series of content and showing how we are already implementing the recommendations in practice today.
Today's focus: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
What does the document say?
The EoL document describes EPR as a key principle for sustainable product design and circular economy. Manufacturers should take responsibility – from production and use to the collection and treatment of waste oil. Collective organisation, clear traceability and transparent reporting are crucial to closing real cycles.
How does AVISTA OIL implement this? At AVISTA OIL, we take a holistic approach to EPR:
✅ We develop, produce and distribute our base oils and lubricants ourselves – and accompany them throughout their entire life cycle.
✅ We are also a disposal partner: we collect waste oil in more than eight countries via a comprehensive take-back system and also source waste oil from other markets for our own refineries.
✅ In our refineries, this waste oil is processed into high-quality base oils – and the cycle begins again.
✅ We also take responsibility for packaging: as a member of the GVÖ (Verwertungsgesellschaft für Verkaufsverpackungen der Mineralölwirtschaft, recycling association for sales packaging in the mineral oil industry), we ensure that packaging is recycled in an environmentally friendly manner.
All processes – from collection to transport, analysis and refining – are certified, documented and regularly audited. In this way, we guarantee legal compliance, environmental responsibility and resource conservation – in line with the EoL document.
Conclusion: For us, genuine producer responsibility does not end with the sale. At AVISTA OIL, we take responsibility for the entire life cycle of our products – from lubricants to recycled base oil.
The complete document can be found here: Lubricants & Greases EoL
The next article in our series will focus on cross-border transport – how AVISTA OIL masters logistical challenges and ensures sustainable supply chains.