How To Properly Dispose Of Motor Oil

The EPA recommends that motor oil be disposed of by pouring it into a drain with a strong current, then disposing of the oil-covered water in the trash.

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Why you should properly dispose of motor oil

One of the most important things you can do to protect the environment is to properly dispose of motor oil. Motor oil doesn’t just disappear after you change your car’s oil ‘ it can seep into the ground and contaminate water supplies, or be washed away by rain and end up in rivers and lakes.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has categorized used motor oil as hazardous waste, which means it must be disposed of properly. There are two ways to do this: take it to a recycling center, or dispose of it yourself.

If you choose to recycle your motor oil, there are a few things you need to know. First, check with your local recycling center to see if they accept motor oil ‘ not all centers do. Second, make sure the oil is in a clean container with a tight-fitting lid ‘ a milk jug or soda bottle will work fine. Finally, bring the container to the center on days when temperatures are above freezing ‘ motor oil doesn’t flow as well when it’s cold.

If you choose to dispose of motor oil yourself, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.First, never pour oil down the drain ‘ it can clog pipes and pollute water supplies. Second, don’t put it in the trash ‘ it can leak out of garbage bags and contaminate other waste. The best way to dispose of motor oil is to take it to a collection site for used oil ‘ most service stations and auto parts stores have these.

How to dispose of motor oil

It’s important to know how to dispose of motor oil properly ‘ used motor oil can pollute the environment if it’s not disposed of properly. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has strict rules about used motor oil, and there are different disposal options depending on whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or you take your car to a garage or service station.

Do-it-yourselfers

If you change your own motor oil, you need to take it to a recycling center that accepts used oil. The EPA has a list of used oil recycling centers by state that you can access on its website. There are also some retailers that accept used motor oil, so you can check with your local hardware store or auto parts store before you dispose of your used motor oil.

Garages and service stations

If you take your car to a garage or service station for an oil change, the business is responsible for disposing of the used motor oil properly. By law, they must recycle it or send it to an authorized used oil collection facility.

The consequences of improper motor oil disposal

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, you know that used motor oil can be recycled for free at more than 5,000 locations across the United States. But what happens if you don’t recycle your used motor oil?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has divided used motor oil into two categories:

-re-refined used motor oil and

-used motor oil that has been burned for energy recovery.

Re-refined used motor oil is recycled back into new, usable motor oil. Used motor oil that has been burned for energy recovery is not recycled back into new, usable motor oil.

The EPA estimates that improper disposal of just one quart of used motor oil can contaminate up to 2,000 gallons of drinking water ‘ enough to give 40 people waterborne diseases, such as cancer. Every year, approximately 200 million gallons of used motor oil are improperly disposed of in the United States. Improper disposal includes pouring it down the drain, on the ground, into storm drains or sewers, or just storing it in containers in your garage.

Most people don’t realize that it’s against the law to dispose of used motor oil in these ways. In fact, many states have specific laws prohibiting the improper disposal of used motor oil. Some states require that you take your used motor oil to a collection center or a recycling center. Some states allow you to dispose of your used motor oil by taking it to a service station that recycles Used Motor Oil

The benefits of proper motor oil disposal

The Proper Disposal of Motor OilMotor oil never wears out ‘ it just gets dirty. So, when you change your oil, you can recycle it to keep it from polluting the environment. Here are some facts about oil and its effect on the environment, courtesy of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

-Each year, Americans generate approximately 1.3 billion gallons of used motor oil; only about 50% is properly recycled.

-Recycling just 2 gallons of used motor oil conserves enough energy to heat and cool an average American home for nearly 24 hours!

-Americans should recycle about 400 million gallons of used motor oil each year, but less than 20% actually do.

-Disposing of just 1 gallon of used motor oil can contaminate 1 million gallons of fresh water ‘ that’s enough to fill 10 tanker trucks!

So, now that you know the facts, what can you do to properly dispose of your used motor oil? For one thing, don’t pour it down the drain ‘ that’s illegal in most states. Pouring oil down storm drains or onto the ground can contaminate drinking water supplies, harm aquatic life and create unhealthy conditions for people and animals.

You also don’t want to put it in the trash ‘ in many states, that’s against the law, too. And even if it isn’t illegal in your state, throwing away a single gallon of oil creates an oily mess that’s tough (and costly) to clean up. The best way to dispose of used motor oil is to take it to a collection center or recycling facility. Many service stations and quick lube facilities will take your used oil for free. Some will even give you a discount on your next purchase of motor oil!

If you change your own oil, there are a few things you can do to make sure you recycle all of it: Use a funnel when pouring the old oil into a container for transporting; use a measuring cup or siphon pump to get every last drop out of the engine; and don’t mix other fluids with your used motor oil ‘ that makes it harder (and more expensive) to recycle.

How to recycle motor oil

Recycling motor oil conserves a natural resource (oil) and it keeps oil out of our drinking water. It’s easy to do and it’s the law in most states.

There are three primary ways to recycle used motor oil:

-Take it to a recycling center.

-Take it to an automotive service facility that accepts used motor oil.

-Recycle it yourself.

Most communities have at least one recycling center that takes used motor oil. The centers are usually run by either a local government or a private business contracted by the government. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you call your local environmental agency to find out where the nearest recycling center is located.

Most automotive service facilities also accept used motor oil, but you should call ahead to find out if they do and how they handle it. Some service facilities have their own recycling programs, while others send the used oil off-site to be recycled.

You can also recycle motor oil yourself, but you must follow certain precautions and dispose of the oil properly when you’re finished. The CDC recommends that you take the following steps if you choose to recycle your own motor oil:

-Drain the oil into a clean container with a tight-fitting lid, such as a clean milk jug or an empty coffee can with a lid.

-Replace the cap on the container and label it ‘used motor oil’ so that anyone who comes across it will know what it is.

-Take the container of used motor oil to a recycling center or an automotive service facility that accepts used motor oil.

What to do with used motor oil

Most people don’t think about motor oil very often, but it’s a critical part of keeping your car or truck running smoothly. When you do need to change your oil, it’s important to dispose of the used oil properly. Improperly disposing of motor oil can harm the environment and put yourself and others at risk.

There are two main categories of used motor oil: do-it-yourselfers and waste oil generated by businesses.

Do-it-yourselfers typically generate less than 10 gallons of used motor oil per year, while businesses can generate hundreds or even thousands of gallons. You can usually take your own used motor oil to a local recycling center for free disposal. Many automotive stores also accept used motor oil for recycling.

Businesses that generate large amounts of used motor oil must follow stricter laws and regulations for disposal. These businesses typically contract with special waste disposal companies to handle their used motor oil.

In most cases, it is against the law to dispose of used motor oil in the regular trash. You should never pour used motor oil down the drain, on the ground, or in storm sewers. Used motor oil can contaminate drinking water supplies, damage sewage treatment plants, and pollute our waterways.

If you have larger quantities of used motor oil, you may be able to recycle it yourself or arrange for special pick-up service from your local waste disposal company.

How to store motor oil

Storage is another issue you need to be aware of. You might be tempted to store used motor oil in an old milk jug in the garage, but that’s a definite no-no. The EPA has strict regulations about the storage and disposal of motor oil, and it’s important to comply with them to protect yourself and the environment.

The EPA divides used oil into two categories:

-Used oil that has been contaminated with hazardous waste, such as antifreeze, gasoline, or solvents. This oil must be disposed of at a hazardous waste facility.

-Used oil that has not been contaminated with hazardous waste. This oil can be recycled.

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, you can take your used motor oil to a collection site for recycling. To find the nearest location, contact your local solid waste agency or visit www.earth911.com. Many service stations and auto parts stores also accept used motor oil for recycling. Some states have laws that prohibit do-it-yourselfers from disposing of used motor oil at service stations or auto parts stores, so be sure to check the regulations in your state before you attempt to do so.

How to dispose of motor oil containers

If you change your own motor oil, you need to know how to properly dispose of the used oil and oil filter. Improper disposal of motor oil can lead to environmental contamination, so it’s important to follow the law.

Most states have laws that prohibit the disposal of motor oil in certain ways, such as down storm drains or on the ground. The best way to find out how to dispose of motor oil in your state is to contact your local solid waste agency or the EPA’s Region 5 office.

In general, there are three categories of used motor oil disposers:

-Do-it-yourselfers

-Recyclers

-Used oil collection centers

Do-it-yourselfers are people who change their own motor oil and either recycle it themselves or take it to a used oil collection center. Recyclers are businesses that collect used motor oil and recycle it into new products, such as lubricating oils, gasoline additives, and asphalt products. Used oil collection centers are usually run by government agencies or non-profit organizations. They collect used motor oil from do-it-yourselfers and recyclers for recycling.

Most states require that all used motor oil be recycled, and some states have laws that specifically prohibit dumping used motor oil down storm drains, on the ground, or in garbage cans. Violators may be fined or even imprisoned. So play it safe ‘ recycle your used motor oil!

What not to do with motor oil

You’ve just changed the oil in your car and you’re left with a few quarts of used motor oil. What do you do with it? If you’re like most people, you probably pour it down the drain, into a storm sewer, on the ground, or in some other way dispose of it improperly. Each year, millions of gallons of used oil are dumped into the environment, fouling our water and land and endangering our health.

Now that you know better, what should you do? Although it may cost a little bit more, the best thing to do is to take your used motor oil to a recycling center or an authorized collection facility. And there are good reasons for this:

-It’s the law. In many states, it is against the law to dispose of motor oil in certain ways. Check with your local environmental agency to find out what the laws are in your area.

-You’ll save money. Many service stations and quick lube facilities will accept your used motor oil free of charge. And if they don’t, it only costs a few cents per gallon to have it professionally disposed of properly.

-You’ll help keep our water clean. When just one quart of motor oil is dumped into fresh water, like a lake or stream, it can pollute up to 250,000 gallons of water ‘ enough to provide drinking water for 50 people for an entire year!

-You’ll help keep our land clean. Every year, used motor oil contaminates 1 million acres of land in the United States ‘ that’s an area larger than Rhode Island!

FAQs about motor oil disposal

dummies

-What oil do I use for my car?

The oil you use for your car depends on the make, model, and year of your car. You can usually find this information in your car’s owner’s manual.

-How often should I change my motor oil?

Most carmakers recommend that you change your motor oil every 3,000 miles or every 3 months, whichever comes first. However, many newer cars can go much longer ‘ some can even go up to 7,500 miles between changes. Check your owner’s manual to see what’s recommended for your car.

-Where do I take my old motor oil?

You can take your old motor oil to a recycling center or a service station that accepts used oil. To find the nearest location, visit Earth911 and enter ‘motor oil recycling’ and your zip code into the search tool.

-What are the benefits of recycling motor oil?

Recycling just 1 gallon of used motor oil conserves enough energy to run a 100-watt light bulb for 4 hours or a television for 3 hours. And it takes 42 gallons of crude oil to produce 2′ quarts of new motor oil. So recycling just 2 gallons of used motor oil saves enough energy to produce 1 gallon of new motor oil.

autozone oil recycling” is the best way to properly dispose of motor oil. This service is provided by most auto parts stores, and it will save you money in the long run.