Waste not, want not

Cover Story

New waste-oil company finds the right partner in Boston Steel

When David Rice received so many questions wondering about the best way to dispose of waste oil, he knew an opportunity when he saw one. So, in 2005 he incorporated Waste Oil Solutions.

Starting a new company involves countless decisions and some major purchases, the largest often being equipment. Waste Oil Solutions Inc., a company involved in the collection and proper handling of used waste oil, antifreeze, oil-contaminated water and used oil filters, and starting a parts-washer service division, was incorporated in 2005. The company became operational in 2006 and has already ordered two trucks with custom-designed tanks made by Boston Steel & Mfg. Co.

Waste Oil Solutions currently offers its service in the New York metropolitan area. The company’s customers run the gamut from power plants and transportation companies to repair shops, quick lubes and private home owners.

David Rice, president and owner of Waste Oil Solutions, has spent the last 20 years in the oil-distribution industry, including the last nine marketing fuels and lubricants. The impetus for starting the new company came from Rice’s fuel and lubricant customers.

Anthony Delia, a driver for Waste Oil Solutions, collects a load of waste oil into one of the company’s two Boston Steel tanks.

‘My customers often told me they were dissatisfied with their current waste-oil vender and they would ask me if I could recommend a company,” Rice explained. ‘It happened so frequently that I knew I was missing out on a big opportunity. So I started inquiring about the improvements they wanted and what they needed. With my experience working in the industry I knew I could meet those needs.

‘One of the initial steps in starting the company was to purchase equipment to haul the product,” he continued. ‘After choosing a Peterbilt truck, the next decision was to select a tank manufacturer. I had a lot of experience in the transportation industry so I understood tanks and the equipment needed for fuels. However, the waste-oil application is slightly different so I was very concerned about building the vehicles correctly. I spoke with numerous tank manufacturers but I was not satisfied with their responses or their products. Then I called Boston Tank and spoke with Dave Burke. I explained that I was starting a waste-oil company and I was interested in ordering a tank. I had a lot of questions, some might have sounded naive, but I was treated with the utmost professionalism. Dave was extremely knowledgeable and he gave me the attention and guidance I needed.

Boston Steel’s top-compartment load piping enables a driver to visibly see product changes in order to shutoff flow and change to another compartment.

‘Boston Tank worked with me to customize the tank to my specifications. We discussed every aspect of the tank, including the plumbing and piping and even small details like the sampling valve. The first tank I ordered was a three-compartment, 4,200-gallon tandem tanker.

‘Boston Tank has made one of the hardest decisions on where to buy your tank one of the easiest. Upon completion of the tank, I went to Boston Tank to make a final inspection. Ron Burke went over every inch of the tank to ensure I was satisfied. The workmanship compared to other tank-makers is outstanding, right down to the small details like recessed lights in the bumpers to keep them from getting damaged. The final product was exactly as I specified. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with Dave and Ron Burke. They treated me like I was ordering 100 tanks; they even took me to Friday’s.

‘There are several reasons I chose the Peterbilt and Boston Tank combination. I wanted a combination that would give me a strong return on investment. I needed equipment that would be productive on a daily basis and stand up over time. Additionally, I want every aspect of my company to project a professional, high-quality image. I know I made the right decision because of the many compliments we received on the tanks, not only from our customers but from our competition.”

With the advent of technological advancements combined with the increase of environmental consciousness, the collection of waste petroleum products and subsequent re-refining has become a growing business. Boston Steel & Mfg. Co. has added this product line as an adjunct to the fluctuating fuel oil business.

Basically, these vehicles are built to suck onto the truck tank from an outside source using the truck’s pump and then piped to either allow the collected product to be pumped off the truck tank using the truck’s PTO driven pump, or to be off loaded via gravity. The product must be filtered when sucked onto the tank for pump protection.

There is generally a hose trough with collection boxes for drippage on each side that holds a length of two-inch hose connected at the tank front which is draped around the tank. With a swivel on the connection, the driver is able to take the hose out of the trough to suck waste material onto the vehicle. Suction lines are run onto the top of the tank to enable the driver to watch the liquid so as to not overflow the tank, and to enable him to change the flow from one tank compartment to another should the product change, for instance, from waste motor oil to used antifreeze.

Rice has been aggressively marketing and growing his new company. He expects it will not be too long before a third and fourth tank will be on order from Boston Tank.