From waste to worth: How the ROSE Foundation is greening SA’s transport industry

At a time when sustainability is an urgent priority rather than a choice, the ROSE Foundation (Recycling Oil Saves the Environment) stands as one of South Africa’s most consistent and commendable environmental initiatives.

The ROSE Foundation was formed in response to the South African government’s 1994 withdrawal of subsidies for the re-refining of used lubricating oil. Previously, a levy on new oil sales funded this environmentally important work. With this support removed, the risk of illegal dumping and environmentally harmful practices rose sharply.

Rather than allow this to escalate, major players in the lubricants industry – including BP/Castrol, Engen, Sasol, Total, Shell, Fuchs, and others – came together to form the ROSE Foundation. Their aim was clear: to manage used oil responsibly and sustainably.

Impressive achievements

Since its inception, ROSE has overseen the collection of over 1.5 billion litres of used lubricating oil, with current operations recycling around 85 million litres each year. It now manages a comprehensive network of 250 licensed collectors, 35 bulking points, and 22 processing facilities nationwide.

To support this, the Foundation has paid out over R250 million in collection and recycling incentives, ensuring that environmental compliance is both viable and economically sustainable. These efforts have been recognised by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, which acknowledges ROSE as one of the leading Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes in the country.

Essential services for the transport industry

The ROSE Foundation’s work is particularly valuable for the transport sector. The organisation ensures that used
oil is managed in accordance with key South African standards, including SANS 10232 and 10234. These regulations govern everything from vehicle placarding and documentation to spill response and safety procedures.

ROSE also supports licensed collectors through training modules in firefighting, spill control, PPE, and first aid. Vehicles involved in oil collection must meet strict requirements: they must be roadworthy, properly marked, equipped with spill kits, and carry all necessary documentation, including TREMCARDs and manifests.

Drivers must hold the correct professional driving permits (PrDPs) and be trained in dangerous goods handling. Collected oil must be stored in bunded, labelled containers, with manifest trails maintained for compliance purposes.

Importantly, ROSE provides safe disposal certification for all oil collected, giving transport operators the necessary documentation to satisfy audits and demonstrate compliance with environmental legislation.

Long-term commitment

Over the years, ROSE member companies have invested more than R100 million to support the safe management of used oil. This has gone towards the development of mini-storage tanks, the construction of collection depots, public awareness campaigns, and environmental education.

ROSE’s approach reflects a clear waste management hierarchy: promote cleaner production first, aim for waste minimisation second, and when waste cannot be avoided, recycle or reprocess it into economically valuable products. The used oil collected is not simply discarded – it is repurposed for industrial use in an environmentally responsible manner.

Model for environmental stewardship

Perhaps what’s most impressive about the ROSE Foundation is that it has succeeded without state subsidies. It is an industry-led initiative that has created a functioning, sustainable system of waste oil collection and recycling that serves both the environment and the economy.

In a time when businesses are under increasing pressure to reduce their environmental footprint, ROSE offers the tools, standards, and expertise to do just that. It removes the guesswork from compliance and turns a problematic waste product into an opportunity to contribute positively to South Africa’s sustainability agenda.

Today, as South Africa faces mounting environmental challenges, the work of the ROSE Foundation is more critical than ever. It not only protects natural ecosystems from the threat of oil pollution, but also strengthens South Africa’s circular economy and creates jobs in waste management and recycling.

For the country’s transport sector, it offers the tools and framework needed to operate responsibly and legally – without the headaches. As more businesses come under pressure to prove their environmental credentials, partnerships with organisations like ROSE will be vital. At the end of the day, a greener tomorrow starts with how we handle yesterday’s oil.