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WHEN OIL IS DUMPED, IT'S A SERIOUS POLLUTANT E very year, in the United States, do-it-yourselfers who change their own oil dump an estimated 180 million gallons of used motor oil on the ground, down sewers and into landfills. That is 16 times the amount lost in the Exxon Valdez oil spill, which did much damage to the wildlife and ecosystems of Alaska.U sed oil harms our environment. It contains toxic substances and heavy metals such as lead, zinc and arsenic produced during engine use. When dumped, it doesn't evaporate. It sinks in, contaminating soil, ground water and surface waters, lakes and streams.U sed oil cannot be discarded with your trash because it is a liquid. Ohio law bans oil and any other free liquids from all solid waste landfills in Ohio. Neither you nor your trash hauler are allowed to bring used oil to the landfill for disposal.BUT USED MOTOR OIL CAN BE RECYCLED......... U sed oil can be re-refined into new motor oil, or reprocessed into industrial heating fuels that are just as good as products made from virgin crude oil. Plus, re-refining used oil saves both natural resources and energy. One gallon of used motor oil produces the same amount of new motor oil as 42 gallons of virgin crude oil, using just one-third the energy!YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.........RECYCLE IT! M any area service stations and auto repair shops accept used motor oil from do-it-yourselfers. The used oil is added to the oil from their business and collected by a reputable recycler.T ake your used oil to one of the Erie County businesses listed below to be sure it is recycled.WHERE TO TAKE USED MOTOR OIL IN ERIE COUNTY SOME SITES CHARGE A FEE OR LIMIT AMOUNTS.....CALL AHEAD.
Oil filters are made from either "terne" or "non-terne" plated metals. Terne plated filters are made from a mixture of tin and lead and considered hazardous waste. They cannot be land filled. In 1993, manufacturers agreed to eliminate lead from the production of oil filters, however, some companies may not have implemented those changes. "Non-terne" plated used oil filters are lead free and not considered hazardous waste. That is, if all the oil is drained from them. Read the label before you purchase an oil filter to make sure it is "NON-TERNE" or lead free. The Ohio EPA recommends recycling
non-terne filters, however, once the oil is drained, the filter is considered
municipal solid waste and can be land filled.
T 1. Gravity Draining: Place the filter gasket side down in a drain pan. If the filter has an anti-drain valve, puncture the dome end with a screw driver and allow to drain for 12 to 14 hours; 2. Crushing: Crush the filter with a vice or hydraulic device to squeeze out all the oil. Compact the remaining filter materials. 3. Disassembly: Separate the filter into its parts. This allows the oil to drain from the filter. The metal parts can be recycled. For more information on this topic, refer to http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dhwm/pdf/Used_Oil_Generators_Guidance.pdf or http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/hmwp/Factsheets/Oilfilters.html
Change oil after the motor has warmed
up. The oil will drain out more quickly and
completely if it's warm. 1.
Turn off
the engine, block the wheels and apply the parking brake before getting in the
car. To avoid burns, make sure the engine is not too hot. Consult your owner's
manual for directions. 2.
Remove
the drain plug on the bottom of the oil pan, allowing the old oil to drain into
your drain pan. 3.
Use a
filter wrench (if necessary) to loosen the old filter, then spin it off and
drain as much oil as possible out of the filter into your drain pan. 4.
Coat the
rubber seal on the new filter with oil, then spin it on. Do not use a filter
wrench to tighten it. Tighten it snugly with your fingers, following the
directions supplied with the filter. Replace the oil plug and make sure it's
tight. 5.
Add the
new oil. Do not overfill. 6.
Start the
engine. The oil pressure warning light may be on, but should go out after a few
seconds. Let the engine run a few minutes. 7.
Turn the
engine off and check the oil level. Check around the drain plug and filter for
leaks. 8.
Write
down the date and mileage as well as the type and brand of oil you installed on
a doorjamb sticker or a record book. 9.
Pour the
used oil into a clean, empty, plastic container with a tight lid. Do not mix it
with other substances, such as gasoline, paint stripper, or pesticides. 10.
Recycle the used oil. |
