ROSE Foundation: A Greener Tomorrow with Yesterday’s Oil

In the transport and logistics sector, sustainability is no longer a buzzword – it is a business imperative. Every litre of lubricating oil used in trucks, buses and heavy machinery eventually becomes hazardous waste. Since 1994, the ROSE Foundation has been at the forefront of tackling this challenge in South Africa.

If not managed responsibly, waste oil can contaminate soil, poison waterways and endanger communities. As the country’s national Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for used lubricating oil, ROSE (Recycling Oil Saves the Environment) ensures that yesterday’s oil contributes to a greener tomorrow.

Origins and Mission

Originally established as a Section 21 non‑profit company, the ROSE Foundation was founded by major lubricant manufacturers and importers who recognised the urgent need for a coordinated national response to the growing problem of used oil disposal. Their mission was clear: to champion the environmentally responsible collection, transportation, storage and recycling of hazardous used oil. By preventing illegal dumping and safeguarding waterways, ROSE has become a cornerstone of South Africa’s environmental protection efforts.

Funded by contributions from its member companies, the foundation incentivises certified collectors and processors to meet stringent environmental standards. This model ensures that the responsibility for managing hazardous waste does not fall solely on government or individual businesses, but is shared across the industry.

Key Achievements

Over the past three decades, ROSE has built an impressive track record, including:

• More than 1.5 billion litres of used oil collected since inception.
• An average of 85 million litres recycled annually, preventing countless environmental incidents.
• A nationwide network of 250 collectors, 35 bulking points and 22 processing facilities.
• Recognition by the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Environment as one of South Africa’s leading EPR schemes.
• Over R250 million paid out in collection and recycling incentives, ensuring that compliance is not only environmentally responsible, but also economically viable.

These achievements highlight the scale of ROSE’s impact and its ability to mobilise industry players towards a common environmental goal.

Services for Transport Managers

For transport managers, ROSE is more than an environmental watchdog; it is a practical partner. The foundation provides mandatory transport guidelines under SANS 10232/10234, covering placarding, manifests, Transport Emergency Card (TREMcard) documentation and safety protocols. These guidelines ensure that hazardous loads are transported safely and legally.

ROSE also offers:

• Standardised vehicle and storage requirements, ensuring that licensed collectors operate with the right equipment.
• Training modules covering firefighting, spill response, PPE usage and first aid.
• Nationwide collection, storage and recycling services, giving transport managers peace of mind that their used oil will be handled responsibly.
• Safe disposal ceritification, providing a critical document for compliance audits and environmental reporting.

By aligning with ROSE, transport managers can demonstrate due diligence, protect their companies from liability and contribute to national sustainability goals.

Application to Transport Management

Transport managers play a pivotal role in ensuring compliance with ROSE and National Oil Recycling Association of South Africa (NORA-SA) standards. Vehicles transporting used oil must be roadworthy, correctly placarded with UN hazardous waste symbols and equipped with insurance, manifests, spill kits, first aid supplies and TREMcard documentation. Drivers and assistants must hold the appropriate professional driving permits (PrDPs) for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes and be trained in dangerous goods handling, spill response and personal protective equipment (PPE) usage.

Loads must be properly secured and stored in bunded, labelled containers, with clear manifests retained for legal compliance. Monthly collection and incentive-claiming procedures support environmental and safety audits, ensuring that transport operations remain transparent and accountable.

For transport managers, these requirements are not optional. They are essential safeguards that protect employees, communities and the environment.

Industry Oversight and Governance

The ROSE Foundation is governed by a board of directors appointed by its member companies, which include industry giants such as BP/Castrol, Engen, Sasol, Total, Shell, Astron, Fuchs, Flexilube and H&R Africa. This governance structure ensures that the foundation remains aligned with industry realities, while maintaining its independence as a non‑profit entity.

Operations are driven by a full‑time CEO and staff, supported by quarterly board oversight. This professional management structure allows ROSE to balance strategic vision with day‑to-day operational excellence.

Why ROSE Matters to Transport and Logistics

The transport and logistics industry is a major consumer of lubricants, and thus a significant generator of used oil. Without proper management, this waste poses serious risks environmentally (a single litre of used oil can contaminate up to one million litres of water), legally (non‑compliance with hazardous waste regulations can result in fines, reputational damage and even criminal liability) and operationally (unsafe handling of used oil can lead to accidents, fires and health hazards for employees).

By partnering with ROSE, transport managers mitigate these risks while contributing to a circular economy. Used oil is not simply waste – it can be reprocessed into valuable products such as industrial burner fuel, extending its lifecycle and reducing reliance on virgin resources.

Looking Ahead

As South Africa intensifies its focus on sustainability and compliance, the role of EPR schemes like ROSE will only grow. The foundation continues to innovate, exploring new technologies for oil recycling and expanding its training programmes to reach more transport operators. Its vision is clear: to ensure that every drop of used oil is accounted for, recycled responsibly and transformed into an opportunity rather than a threat.

For transport managers, aligning with the ROSE Foundation is both a compliance necessity and a strategic advantage. By following ROSE’s guidelines, managers not only protect their fleets and employees, but also contribute to a national effort to safeguard the environment.

With over three decades of proven success, ROSE stands as a model of how industry collaboration can drive sustainability. Yesterday’s oil may be hazardous waste, but with ROSE, it becomes the foundation of a greener tomorrow.