Safety-Kleen Newark, proud member of the community since 2013, is committed to safely and efficiently re-refining used oil to help keep Newark green.
Since 2013, Safety-Kleen Newark has proudly contributed to the local economy and community. Our presence in Newark not only brings jobs and business opportunities but also supports the building of a more sustainable future for all.
Our state-of-the-art processes allow us to fully realize oil’s amazing capacity to be re-refined an infinite number of times to produce base oils used in the formulation of finished lubricants that are equal or better quality than lubricants made from virgin crude. Oil re-refining reduces greenhouse gases and heavy metal emissions when compared to burning used oil as fuel.
Re-refining is a better way to manage used oil. It is easier on the environment and transforms oil into a renewable resource.
The Safety-Kleen Newark re-refinery can process up to 24 million gallons of used oil annually and can generate the following products: 110N base oil lubricant, 220N base oil lubricant, two types of industrial fuels and asphalt material.
The used oil refined in Newark is shipped to Fallon, Nevada, for final treatment. Once there, it is either blended with our own high-quality additives to make Safety-Kleen’s complete slate of blended lubricants or sold as fuel for industrial burners. The finished products are then returned to California and distributed to a wide range of customers.
Safety-Kleen Newark is part of a network of re-refineries owned and operated by Clean Harbors. Every year, Safety-Kleen returns more than 200 million gallons of used oil to the marketplace as clean, pure motor oil and associated products.
Safety-Kleen currently operates under the following permits:
- Air Permit/Bay Area Air Quality Management District Permit #A1190
- Part B Hazardous Waste/California Environmental Protection Agency – Department of Toxic Substances Control Permit #2021/22-HWM-02
- Wastewater Discharge/Union Sanitary District Permit #268
- Stormwater/California Water Resources Control Board Permit #2011002586
- Alameda County Department of Environmental Health Permit #FA0311057
- Hazardous Materials Certificate of Registration/US Department of Transportation Permit #121222550019E
- Certificate of Environmental Laboratory Accreditation/California Department of Public Health Permit #1900
- Motor Carrier Permit/Department of Motor Vehicles Permit #0000989
Latest Update
As part of our annual facility maintenance, we are planning a system turnaround the week of September 9th. This routine effort is an important part of our operations to ensure we are keeping the equipment operating safely and as efficiently as possible. We have a robust schedule of inspections, and line and vessel cleanings that will take place over that week. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us at the email and phone number listed.
From time to time, we hear from neighbors that they are experiencing increased odors. We take these comments seriously and want to assure the community that we are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our neighbors. To address potential odor issues, we have implemented a range of monitoring technologies and procedures. These include the use of air monitoring devices and routine inspections by our team, who actively deploy odor-eliminating measures as needed. Our team is dedicated to working with our industrial neighbors and community to promptly identify and mitigate any sources of odor.
Current Operation Status
The Newark re-refinery has three operating units. There is one wastewater treatment plant and two distillation/hydrotreating units. Our wastewater treatment plant has been fully operational since 2013. Currently, only one of the two distillation/hydrotreating units is operating. We are running approximately 35,000 gallons of used motor oil a day through this unit, which yields approximately 27,000 gallons of vacuum gas oil (VGO) per day.
Sustainability: It's Our Business
As part of our parent company’s sustainability program, we recognize that sustainability stewardship is a core aspect of our brand and an important part of our responsibility in protecting generations to come through balancing economic success with environmental, social and governance considerations. Our sustainability program expands our commitment beyond our services and products to include our operations, employees and community.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Chris Hasch
Newark Refinery General Manager
Chris has been with Safety-Kleen for 16 years. He worked his way through the ranks of the Operations department, ultimately earning himself the role of Operations Manager. On April 16, 2023, Chris was promoted to the Refinery Manager position in Newark, California.
Michael Crisenbery, CHMM
SVP Facilities Compliance and Regulatory Affairs
Mike has worked at Clean Harbors for 36 years. He has B.S. degrees in Chemistry and Microbiology from Miami University and a MBA from University of Cincinnati. Mike is responsible for environmental compliance at the Company’s locations in North America. He is also responsible for State, Provincial and Federal Government Affairs throughout North America.
Sheila Smith,
Director, Environmental Compliance
Sheila Smith has been with Clean Harbors, Safety-Kleen, and its affiliate Emerald Services, Inc. since 2002. She has been in the waste management industry for over 30 years, starting as a field chemist coordinating hazardous waste pickups and moving into compliance roles from there. She has worked with Treatment Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs), re-refineries, wastewater treatment facilities, used oil processors, landfills, and compost facilities, and has managed compliance with air, water, and RCRA permits for all of these types of operations. She also has several years’ experience in laboratory operations and laboratory quality control. In her current role, Sheila has compliance responsibilities for three re-refineries, a TSDF, and an oil processor/wastewater treatment facility. Sheila has a B.S. in Chemistry from Pacific Lutheran University.
Jim Joy
SR Health & Safety Manager, U.S. West Oil Re-Refineries
Jim, a retired U.S. Marine, has been with Safety Kleen/ Clean Harbors for 11 years, working with the safety programs for Clean Harbors’ and affiliates Industrial Services and Field Services divisions. Jim currently oversees the safety program for three re-refineries, including the Newark Re-Refinery, and one used antifreeze recycling plant.