How To Properly Dispose of Used Motor Oil
You can save yourself a lot of money by changing your oil at home. Many people even find this chore enjoyable, especially if they already like working on cars. If you opt for DIY oil changes, it is very important that you know how to dispose of used oil properly. If you have been wondering where to discard used motor oil, this quick guide will explain how to dispose of the oil safely and legally.
Keep Oil Contained
The first thing you should remember is that the oil must stay properly contained when you drain it from the engine. If you do not catch and contain oil properly it can stain your driveway or contaminate your yard.
Make sure you have a quality drain pan. Many drain pans come equipped with a screen that can catch the oil filter or the drain plug when it drops. This is a handy feature.
If any oil does wind up on the ground on the concrete of your driveway, you can apply kitty litter to the spill to quickly dry it up and decrease the amount of staining on the concrete.
Remove for Transporting
Once you have caught all the old oil, you will then need to transfer it into a container to transport it for disposal. The best type of container for this is a metal container that has a tight lid that can be sealed. You should avoid mixing the oil with other liquids. This is an important step in how to throw away used motor oil.
Locate Proper Disposal Locations
Every community will have its own rules and locations for oil disposal. You will need to check with the city or town you live in for this information. You should never pour old oil into your regular trash or pour it down any drains. This is against the laws as per EPA regulations. This can contaminate the area. Many auto parts stores provide oil disposal services. Reach out to a local auto parts store or a local mechanic if you have difficulty finding the right place to dispose of old oil.
Be Kind to the Environment
Although changing your own oil is a great way to save money, it is imperative that you follow safety and environmental guidelines in your area so that you do not harm the environment.
To further help the environment, consider these steps. Reduce, reuse, recycle. You can reduce the amount of oil you use each year by choosing oil products that promote the one-year oil change. Talk with a mechanic for more information.
Categorised in: Motor Oil Recycling