How to Recycle Waste Motor Oil
If you change your motor oil yourself, you know you're saving money, but may wonder what to do with your waste motor oil. The good news is that it can be recycled at no cost to you. According to the American Petroleum Institute, used motor oil can be recycled into various types of fuel, as well as lubricants that meet the same API criteria as fresh motor oil. What's more, recycling your waste motor oil is the environmentally responsible thing to do, rather than sending it to a landfill or having it end up in local waterways. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Pour used motor oil into a clean, leak-proof container, such as an old milk or plastic orange juice jug with a lid. Use a funnel to avoid spills, and wear disposable gloves --- according to Purdue University, used motor oil is a known and dangerous human carcinogen. Close the lid tightly when you have filled the jug, and make absolutely sure it does not leak if you tip it upside down.
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Find the nearest facility that accepts waste motor oil for recycling. The American Petroleum Institute advises that many auto repair stores and lubrication services will accept used motor oil. Check with your local municipality's village hall, or go to Earth911.com and input your ZIP code to find a list of facilities near you.
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Bring your used motor oil to the facility and drop it off. Some facilities may ask you to sign a register, since used motor oil is considered a household hazardous waste.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not mix used motor oil with anything else prior to bringing it to your local recycling facility. Other automotive fluids, such as used coolant or brake fluid, will make it impossible for your oil to be recycled properly and may create health hazards when mixed together. Those fluids must also be disposed of as household hazardous waste, but keep them in separate containers.
Never keep your waste motor oil near anything that gets very hot, or near an open flame. The oil may combust, leading to fire.
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