Used Oil: An Under-Recycled Product
According to the American Petrolium Institute, more than 50 percent of motorists change their own oil. It is estimated that 40 percent of all do-it-yourself oil is disposed of improperly.
Why Recycle?
Used motor oil has the potential to be re-used for lubricating purposes or burned for fuel.
Re-refining used oil takes only about one-third the energy of refining crude oil to lubricant quality. It takes 42 gallons of crude oil but only one gallon of used oil to produce 2 1/2 quarts of new, high-quality lubricating oil.
One gallon of used oil processed for fuel contains about 140,000 BTU's (British Thermal Units) of energy. That one gallon can generate enough electricity to run the average household for 12 hours.
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has what is called "The Recycling Presumption." This is the assumption that all used oil generated will be recycled because the fact is that almost all used oil can be recycled. Unfortunately, it is estimated that 200 million gallons of used motor oil is improperly disposed of each year in the U.S. by being dumped on the ground, sent to landfills or poured down storm and sewer drains. In all of these cases, soil, ground water and even drinking water may be contaminated. Used oil poured down your sewer line can damage your community's water treatment system, contaminating your drinking water and costing you money. One gallon of used oil that is disposed of improperly can contaminate up to one million gallons of water, which is the amount of water supplied to 50 people for an entire year. In most areas, improper disposal of used oil is a crime.
Why Recycle?
Used motor oil has the potential to be re-used for lubricating purposes or burned for fuel.
Re-refining used oil takes only about one-third the energy of refining crude oil to lubricant quality. It takes 42 gallons of crude oil but only one gallon of used oil to produce 2 1/2 quarts of new, high-quality lubricating oil.
One gallon of used oil processed for fuel contains about 140,000 BTU's (British Thermal Units) of energy. That one gallon can generate enough electricity to run the average household for 12 hours.
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has what is called "The Recycling Presumption." This is the assumption that all used oil generated will be recycled because the fact is that almost all used oil can be recycled. Unfortunately, it is estimated that 200 million gallons of used motor oil is improperly disposed of each year in the U.S. by being dumped on the ground, sent to landfills or poured down storm and sewer drains. In all of these cases, soil, ground water and even drinking water may be contaminated. Used oil poured down your sewer line can damage your community's water treatment system, contaminating your drinking water and costing you money. One gallon of used oil that is disposed of improperly can contaminate up to one million gallons of water, which is the amount of water supplied to 50 people for an entire year. In most areas, improper disposal of used oil is a crime.
