Changing your engine oil as a DIY project is an enjoyable and satisfying feeling. Not only that you know that your engine is getting the right and best oil, but you also get peace of mind from being scammed by crooked auto mechanic shops.
But after a successful oil change, one of the often-overlooked aspects of this job is the proper disposal of the used engine oil. So how do you dispose your used engine oil?
Sadly, most people dumps their used engine oil in creeks, sewers, and even in their backyard soil. Here are the possible effects of such irresponsible waste disposal of used oils.
Health and Health Hazards of Improper Disposal of Used Engine Oil
Every state or country have their own laws regarding proper disposal of chemical waste byproducts, which include used engine oil.
According to estimates in the US alone, over 200 million gallons of oil are not disposed properly. This can have detrimental effects on both our health and the environment.
First off, used oil have arsenic, cadmium, benzene, magnesium, zinc and lead. Disposing your old oil or let it leak into the ground can trigger irreversible chain reactions.
The oil will negate the soil’s capacity to produce crops and it can also contaminate the food chain. Plus, oil leaks from your garage can eventually make its way into waterways and pipes, contaminating them as well.
If you dump your used oil in the sewer or creek, similar bad effects will occur. First, it can contaminate fresh water which we drink. Second, it can kill any water-based plants and animals in this water system.
And a single gallon of used oil can reduce the world’s freshwater supply by a million gallons per year.
Plus, if someone comes in contact with oil especially with their eyes or skin, it can trigger allergic reactions and eye irritation. So go figure the damage that you can add if you don’t take this matter seriously.
So What Can I Do to Dispose My Used Engine Oil?
All types of industry thrives in oil. So it is highly impossible that you don’t have any options with regards to used engine oil disposal.
The first thing to search for are shops that accepts used engine oil. It can be an oil change shop, oil-recycling facility, a gas station, auto parts store or even your friendly neighborhood mechanic.
These shops accepts oil for recycling purposes, and they make money out of used oil. They accept all kinds of fluid such as motor oil, gear oil, coolant, power steering fluid, petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF and even your used cooking oil.
So you should never dump your old, used motor oil down the drain. Remember, be responsible and help the environment.
One way to ensure that you are helping the environment from irresponsible oil disposal, is to follow your car’s original preventive maintenance schedule (PMS).
Don’t change your engine oil three, four or even five times a year. If this sounds like you, then you are likely one of those pollutants that needs further seminars and counseling.
If you use conventional or mineral oils, make sure that you follow correct mileage intervals before you do another change oil. If you use synthetic oil, then you can keep your car’s oil for a much longer intervals (high-mileage) which is usually ten to 15 thousand miles.
There are oil brands that are designed to last longer. These brands are called high-mileage, 100% synthetic oil that is marketed to last a full year. Yes, you only change your oil once per year.
One brand that stands out is Amsoil, which won numerous awards in the motor oil industry. It is even crowned the “champion” of all oils in their recently concluded oil competition.
So the less you change your engine oil, the more you care for the environment. And if you do need to change your oil, find a shop that accepts used oil. As a bonus and in most cases, there are shops that even pays for your used motor oil. That is a big bonus to your DIY projects right!
In Summary
So doing your own oil change can be fun and at the same time, it gives you satisfaction and peace of mind. And if you are worrying about your used oil, then worry not, I gave you some options above on how to get rid of your old oil.
Remember, find shops or facilities that accepts used oil. Or better yet, find shops that both accepts and buy used oil. This way, you are making the environment happy and you also get money from your used engine oil!
Here in Manila, most DIY geeks such as me are also relying on auto shops that accepts oil, used oil. But for me, I sell my used oil to dealers. So I get paid for my used engine oil. Here is the video (in Tagalog).
