Effective waste oil management is a cornerstone of environmental sustainability across Europe. Many countries have adopted robust and transparent systems within their legislative and industrial frameworks. In Portugal, the leading organization in this field is SOGILUB, a non-profit, state-authorized entity entrusted with fulfilling the legal obligations of lubricant producers and importers.
Founded in 2005, SOGILUB oversees SIGOU (Sistema Integrado de Gestão de Óleos Usados), Portugal’s Integrated Waste Oil Management System. The organization operates as a limited company with two primary partners: EPCOL (73%) and ACAP (27%).
SOGILUB was initially licensed in 2005, with subsequent authorizations updated in 2015. Its most recent license, granted by the Portuguese government on January 29, 2021, extends its operational mandate across mainland Portugal and its autonomous regions until December 31, 2025.
The system operates on a straightforward yet highly effective principle. New lubricant producers contribute an environmental fee (ecovalor) for each liter of oil introduced into the market. These collected funds are then directed toward the comprehensive handling of used oils, encompassing their collection, transportation, recovery, and disposal. Notably, these services are provided free of charge to both individuals and businesses. Used oils may also be conveniently delivered at no cost to municipal collection centers or to authorized partner facilities under the SOGILUB framework.
More than just a logistics coordinator, SOGILUB serves as the nucleus of a transparent, data-driven system. Each year, the organization publishes detailed activity reports outlining the volumes of waste oil collected, recovered, and converted into energy. These disclosures foster accountability and encourage lubricant producers and regulatory authorities to act with greater environmental awareness and responsibility.
A particularly noteworthy feature of the system is its emphasis on regeneration. SOGILUB prioritizes the recovery of base oils from waste oils, reserving energy recovery only as a last resort. This approach fully aligns with the European Union’s waste hierarchy.
EMAS Registration
On August 26, 2014, the Portuguese Environment Agency granted SOGILUB official registration under the Community Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). SOGILUB’s EMAS registration (No. PT–000113) specifically covers its activities in integrated management services for used lubricating oils, including the organization of collection, transportation, storage, treatment, recovery, and related communication initiatives.
Current Landscape and Key Statistics
As of 2024, lubricant and grease producers (PrONs) participating in the SIGOU system collectively introduced 77,380 tons of products to both mainland Portugal and its autonomous regions. That same year marked a record for SOGILUB, which registered 18,000 active waste oil producers – the highest in its history. These contributors enabled more than 37,000 waste oil collections, and 83% of the collected waste oil was successfully regenerated.
Financing Model
The SIGOU system is financed through two primary streams: the Ecovalor contribution fee, paid by new oil producers, and revenues generated from the sale of recovered waste oil. As of March 1, 2025, producers are required to contribute €83 per ton of new oil, plus VAT, for every unit introduced to the market.
This integrated, transparent, and producer-responsible framework exemplifies best practices in environmental policy. Anchored by SOGILUB, the system goes beyond waste management; it fosters economic sustainability, drives resource efficiency, and reinforces corporate environmental accountability through its data-driven structure. By embedding financial responsibility into operational design, Portugal’s approach offers a powerful model for countries facing systemic challenges in shaping environmental policy.
REFERENCES:
- Sociedade de Gestão Integrada de Óleos Lubrificantes Usados, Lda., https://www.sogilub.pt/
- Relatório Resumo do Relatório Anual de Atividades 2024 https://www.sogilub.pt/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Resumo-RAA-2024.pdf
