Our automobiles, lawnmowers, and a variety of other machines all run on oil. However, contaminants such as dirt, water, metal scrapings, or chemicals can mix with the oil during routine use, causing the oil to lose its effectiveness over time. To complete the job properly, this used oil must eventually be replaced with fresh or re-refined oil.
While the majority of motorists pay for their oil to be changed, around a quarter of us still crawl beneath our cars and do it ourselves. What will we do with the old motor oil once we’re done?
How Can I Dispose of Used Motor Oil?
Disposing of used oil is more complicated than it seems. At first, you may be tempted to throw it away outside, down the drain, or in the trash can but these methods can cause environmental damage and it is illegal in many states. However, there are ways you can carefully capture and dispose of oil properly. Here are steps to follow:
1. How to Test and Capture Your Oil
Check for oil contamination with a dipstick. Remove the dipstick by opening the hood of your car. The dipstick on your vehicle is usually a yellow ring that is placed into the motor oil compartment. Remove and wipe it down with a dry cloth, and then dip it into some old engine oil. It should be removed and wiped with a clean white cloth. Look for signs of oil contamination.
- The oil should be clear or honey-colored, with no particles and a greasy thickness.
- The oil that has been mildly tainted is transparent or dark-brown in color, with flecks of silt and sludge.
- Contaminated oil is a dark, murky color with a lot of silt and sludge.
If it’s contaminated, get a clean gallon jug made of metal or plastic. Make sure you have a cover that can completely seal the container. Instead of using milk jugs, consider repurposing your old motor oil container. Never utilize containers that were previously used to store home chemicals or other car fluids. If you can’t find one at home, you can get Sherman Dispos-Oil Recycle Jug on Amazon.
Chemicals such as paint, solvent, differential oil, and antifreeze differential oil should not be mixed with your oil.
Allow the oil to cool for a few minutes before pouring it into the jug. When exposed to hot oil, plastic jugs and lunch containers might burst apart or melt. Allow the catch pan to cool for about 10 minutes. You can leave the oil longer if it’s an extremely hot day.
Hold your hand close to the oil to feel the heat and see if it’s still hot.
Place a piece of newspaper or any absorbent paper layer on a flat surface before you pour the oil. Do this in your garage or similar location where you won’t mind becoming messy. To avoid polluting your yard or the adjacent public property, don’t set up your pouring place outside.
Pour the motor oil into a container. Placing your container on a flat surface is a good idea. With one hand, hold the funnel in place while pouring the oil through it with the other. Make sure the container and funnel are both steady. After that, secure the cap using a screwdriver.
If possible, use a drain pan with a pour spout.
2. Where to Dispose of my Used Motor Oil?
Take your used motor oil to a mechanic or a quick lube.
Many firms that sell or replace motor oil will gladly accept oil for recycling. Most Advance Auto Parts and AutoZone locations, for example, take old motor oil. Similarly, several Jiffy Lube locations are approved oil recycling drop-off points. Check with local businesses to see if they will accept your used oil.
On earth911.com, you may also hunt for places to dispose of spent oil.
Please help these businesses by ensuring that old motor oil is kept appropriately in clean plastic jugs. It’s simple to reuse your empty oil containers as storage containers for old oil.
If your oil is polluted, take it to a hazardous waste disposal facility. Take your oil to a toxic waste disposal center in your neighborhood if it’s in a soiled container and polluted with other things. Inquire with your municipality about the nearest disposal centers.
Never dispose of your oil in the trash; it is banned in many states and causes major environmental problems.
Ask for collection site locations from motor oil suppliers. All motor oil providers are legally obligated to provide listings of used oil collection points or a toll-free number with the essential information in some areas. Most motor oil suppliers will be able to assist you regardless of the laws.
Inquire about each supplier’s criteria for oil recycling. For example, inquire as to whether they will accept oil that has been mildly polluted.
Recycle used oil at a nearby gas station. Inquire about oil recycling services at local gas stations. Many will recycle your used oil for free, while others may ask you a fee. Examine the costs charged by the gas stations in your neighborhood and choose the most cost-effective option.
You can phone ahead to see if the petrol stations recycle oil. Always remember to inquire about their oil quality criteria.
Recycling and Reusing Used Motor Oil
Recycling and reusing used motor oil is a more environmentally friendly choice than tossing it away. Old motor oil may be turned into fuel oils, changed into new oil, and utilized as a source of raw materials in the petroleum sector.
Engine lubricating oil, gear oils, and hydraulic fluids from cars, motorcycles, and lawnmowers can damage the environment if not disposed of or recycled or properly. Used oil must be properly disposed of by local waste management agencies or automotive repair firms to avoid harming the environment. Oil filters can also be safely disposed of or recycled or If properly drained.
Here are just a handful of the many benefits of reusing and recycling old oil:
- Used oil is recycled to prevent environmental damage.
- Because motor oil doesn’t really run out; it simply becomes filthy, reusing it helps to conserve a valuable resource.
- A gallon of unrefined oil base stock uses more energy than a jug of re-refined base stock.
- 2.5 quarts of lubricating oil are produced from one gallon of old motor oil, which is comparable to 42 gallons of crude oil.
How Does Motor Oil Recycling Work?
Contaminated oil can be utilized as a feedstock in the petrochemical and refining industries, and transformed into lubricants and fuel oils. Worn oil filters also contain reusable scrap steel that may be used as scrap feed by steel producers.
So, how do you recycle spent oil? Re-refined oil must meet the same demanding compounding, refining, and performance criteria as virgin oil for use in heavy-duty diesel, automobile, and other internal combustion engines, as well as gear oils and hydraulic fluids.
Re-refined oil is equivalent to virgin oil, passing all needed tests and, in some circumstances, surpassing virgin oil, according to extensive field research and laboratory testing.
Because re-refining often transforms wasted oil into new, high-quality lubricating oil, re-refined oil may be utilized by the same consumers and companies that use regular oil. Car owners, repair facilities, and other mechanical maintenance activities that require oil can utilize re-refined oil. Fleet maintenance facilities that require a significant amount of oil can arrange to reuse the same used oil that they send to be re-refined, thereby closing the loop.
Motor Oil Bottles: How to Recycle Them
You can also recycle your motor oil containers instead of throwing them away in the trash, where they may wind up in a landfill. The remaining oil in those emptied containers can contaminate groundwater.
Many establishments that accept used motor oil also accept empty motor oil bottles. It’s simplest to pour spent oil into empty containers and dispose of them simultaneously.
Motor oil bottles are frequently recycled at municipal recycling facilities. However, disposal differs by city, so call the office to double-check.
