How to Process Used Motor Oil
You may not think that used motor oil could be just as useful as when it was new, but once used motor oil is properly recycled, it can be used for fuel oil or even as a raw material. This enables the oil to be utilized as a refining material in the petrochemical industry. Recycled oil is collected at community oil redistribution centers, gasoline service stations, auto shops, and other maintenance facilities.
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Things You'll Need
- Oil filters
- Motor oil
- Oil filter wrenches
- Adjustable oil filter wrenches
- Used oil container
Instructions
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Check with your local county government office for any recycling centers where used oil can be taken within your area. You can do so by locating a local government agency through the "Business.gov" website. (See References) There is a variety of contacts there for federal programs and services, and find one nearest to your residence. In this particular case, you may be most interested in contacting the local Environmental Compliance agency.
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Place your vehicle's drained motor oil into a leak-proof, used oil container. Be sure the container has a secure lid. Also only use a cleaned container that has not been used for any type of chemical product before.
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Buy a used motor oil container from an automotive shop if you have discarded the original container. These containers are designed for this very purpose. However, an empty gallon milk container, or something similar, will work just fine.
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Label your container "used motor oil," placing the label in an area where it will be seen and easily read.
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Take the oil container filled with your vehicle's used motor oil to an oil collection center, gasoline service station, automotive shop, etc. You can locate a recycling agency or community center that will collect this product by typing in your zip code on a recycling center locator, such as "Earth911.com," or "MagicYellow.com." (See References).
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Tips & Warnings
Do not mix the used oil with any chemicals or antifreeze product. It will contaminate the oil.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit motor image by Petr Efremov from Fotolia.com
