Environmental Impact of Used Oil
Did you know that 1 gallon of used oil can pollute 1 million gallons of water, which equals a year's supply of water for 50 people? Did you know that in the Los Angeles area, more than 20 million gallons of used motor oil are dumped by citizens into the environment every year? By comparison, the Exxon-Valdez Oil spill in Alaska in 1989, was 11 million gallons.
Many individuals are not familiar with the problems that used oil can pose to the environment. When used oil is thrown in the trash or down the storm drain, it will eventually leak into our underground water supply or flow to the ocean. This pollution will render our drinking water undrinkable, and kill plants and other ocean wildlife.
Recycle Used Oil
By recycling your used oil, you can help save our drinking water as well as millions of dollars in taxpayer costs needed to clean up the pollution. Recycling used oil can also save energy. Re-refining used oil uses 50 - 85% less energy than refining crude oil according to the American Petroleum Institute.
Recycle Used Oil Filters
Did you know that used oil filters can also be recycled? According to the Steel Recycling Institute, recycling all of the filters sold in the United States annually would recover 160,000 tons of steel, enough to build 16 stadiums the size of Atlanta's Turner Stadium. The filters also contain 45% used oil in weight when removed from the vehicle. Do the right thing and recycle oil filters along with used oil.