Used Oil and Its Effects On The Environment

Motor oil leaked from individual vehicles—oreither physical or chemical impurities. In other
outright dumped by homeowners and commercialwords, to meet EPA's definition, used oil must
garages inevitably finds its way into local waterbecome contaminated as a result of being used.
bodies.  Topsoil and natural vegetation wouldThis aspect of EPA's definition includes residues
ordinarily filter many of these pollutants out, butand contaminants generated from handling,
the impermeable pavement that covers much ofstoring, and processing used oil. Physical
the surface where these pollutants originatecontaminants could include metal shavings,
carries it right into storm drains and into streams,sawdust, or dirt. Chemical contaminants could
rivers, lakes and the ocean where it can poisoninclude solvents, halogens, or saltwater.
marine life—which we might eat—as well asHow is Used Oil Recycled?  Once oil has been
entire riparian or coastal ecosystems.used, it can be collected, recycled, and used over
This pollution also finds its way into undergroundand over again. An estimated 380 million gallons of
aquifers that supply our drinking water, soused oil are recycled each year. Recycled used oil
reducing it is a human health measure and couldcan sometimes be used again for the same job
also save municipalities millions of dollars a year inor can take on a completely different task. For
drinking water treatment facilities and operationalexample, used motor oil can be re-refined and
expenses.sold at the store as motor oil or processed for
While government agencies try to craft andfurnace fuel oil. Aluminum rolling oils also can be
implement development and zoning standards tofiltered on site and used over again.
help reduce storm water runoff problems causedRecycling Used Oil Is Good for the Environment
by commercial and industrial entities, there is stilland the Economy – Here’s Proof
much that individuals can do to reduce their•Re-refining used oil takes only about one-third
impact as well. Indeed, upwards of 40 percent ofthe energy of refining crude oil to lubricant quality.
oil pollution in the U.S. comes from the improper•It takes 42 gallons of crude oil, but only one
disposal of used motor oil by individuals.gallon of used oil, to produce 2 ½ quarts of
What is Used Oil? The Environmental Protectionnew, high-quality lubricating oil.
Agency’s definition of used oil is as follows:•One gallon of used oil processed for fuel
Used oil is any oil that has been refined fromcontains about 140,000 British Thermal Units
crude oil or any synthetic oil that has been used(BTUs) of energy.
and as a result of such use is contaminated byTo prevent your own oil leaks and spills, take the
physical or chemical impurities. Simply put, used oilfollowing into consideration:
is exactly what its name implies—any•Take steps to prevent leaks and spills. Keep
petroleum-based or synthetic oil that has beenmachinery, equipment containers, and tanks in
used. During normal use, impurities such as dirt,good working condition and be careful when
metal scrapings, water, or chemicals can gettransferring used oil. Have absorbent materials
mixed in with the oil, so that in time the oil noavailable on site.
longer performs well. Eventually, this used oil must•If a spill or leak occurs, stop the oil from
be replaced with virgin or re-refined oil to do theflowing at the source. If a leak from a container
job at hand EPA's used oil management standardsor tank can’t be stopped, put the oil in
include a three-pronged approach to determine ifanother holding container or tank.
a substance meets the definition of used oil. To•Contain spilled oil. For example, containment
meet EPA's definition of used oil, a substancecan be accomplished by erecting absorbent berms
must meet each of the following three criteria:or by spreading an absorbent over the oil and
1.  Origin — the first criterion for identifying•Clean up the oil and recycle the used oil as
used oil is based on the origin of the oil. Used oilyou would have before it was spilled. If recycling
must have been refined from crude oil or madeis not possible, you first must make sure the
from synthetic materials. Animal and vegetable oilsused oil is not a hazardous waste and dispose of
are excluded from EPA's definition of used oil.it appropriately. All used cleanup materials, from
2. Use — the second criterion is based onrags to absorbent booms, that contain
whether and how the oil is used. Oils used asfree-flowing used oil also must be handled
lubricants, hydraulic fluids, heat transfer fluids,according to the used oil management standards.
buoyants, and for other similar purposes areRemember, all leaked and spilled oil collected during
considered used oil. Unused oil such as bottomcleanup must be handled as used oil. If you are a
clean-out waste from virgin fuel oil storage tanksused oil handler, you should become familiar with
or virgin fuel oil recovered from a spill, do notthese cleanup methods. They may also be part of
meet EPA's definition of used oil because thesea spill response action plan.
oils have never been "used." EPA's definition also•Remove, repair, or replace the defective tank
excludes products used as cleaning agents oror container immediately.
solely for their solvent properties, as well asBy taking care not to contribute to the problem
certain petroleum-derived products like antifreezeof used oil being improperly disposed of, you can
and kerosene.help maintain our clean and healthy drinking water
3. Contaminants — the third criterion is basedfor years to come.
on whether or not the oil is contaminated with