What to do with oil after you’ve changed it…?

[neil19]

Do you pour your used oil down the drain or throw it in the trash? I heard something about recycling the oil but I’m not really sure how that works. If it exists, where could I recycle it?

[Blt2Lst]

Originally Posted by neil19

Do you pour your used oil down the drain or throw it in the trash? I heard something about recycling the oil but I’m not really sure how that works. If it exists, where could I recycle it?

By all means Recycle your used oil, never put it down the drain or in the trash.
Most major auto parts stores will accept waste oil for free.
I have a 5 gallon container where i put my spent oil, when it is full i take it to a local recycling center in my city where they take it for no charge.
We all have to do our part to keep the environment clean.

Al

[curtis73]

Just take it to Auto Zone, or Pep Boys or something. Sometimes even a generic repair shop will let you dump it in their barrell. They have services that come recycle it. Oil recycling is very common, not to mention the law. Chances are there are 10 places to recycle oil within 2 miles of your garage.

Dumping oil down your drain is just about as bad as dumping it straight into a lake or a stream. Its one of the worst things you can do environmentally.

[Hungrycat7]

Originally Posted by curtis73

Dumping oil down your drain is just about as bad as dumping it straight into a lake or a stream. Its one of the worst things you can do environmentally.

I was going to say. . . After posting this online the EPA is probably on their way to your place right now!

['97ventureowner]

In my state, (probably in others too if not Federal law,) any place that sells oil must take it back for recycling purposes.Like was said earlier, a good thing to do is get yourself a 5 gallon plastic container, like what frying oil comes in, and save it until it's full, then take it to the place that accepts it for recycling. Many restaurants that have fryers use oil in 5 gallon containers and are glad to get rid of them, so in most cases they are free for the asking.
I knew someone many years ago that dumped their used oil in a vacant lot in their neighborhood. When asked why he didn't recycle it, he exclaimed," I am. I'm pouring it back in the ground from where it came from. He actually thought thta was a good way to do it(!) (honest truth) :

[shorod]

Around here (Iowa) most of the chain auto parts stores have a 20 quart per individual per month limit. That's one 5 gallon bucket per month, but I usually take it in about 12 quarts at a time.

-Rod

[Johnson16]

In addition to auto parts stores, I have seen 10 minute oil change places accept your old oil........I personally would figure out a way to refine it or something and get it into your gas tank. Probably cheaper then $5 a gallon gas...lol.

[72chevelleOhio]

I just change my oil while I am at work... (No quart limit. lol)

[MagicRat]

Just do not mix your used engine oil with other old fluids. Throwing in old ATF or gear oil is okay, but brake fluid, anti freeze, and some solvents usually 'contaminate' the old oil making it virtually useless for oil recyclers.

Usually any place that accepts old oil will accept the other fluids too; just give it to them in a separate container.

[curtis73]

Originally Posted by Johnson16

I personally would figure out a way to refine it or something and get it into your gas tank. Probably cheaper then $5 a gallon gas...lol.

Unfortunately, all the gasoline, diesel, and other viable automotive fuels have been taken out by the time you get to motor oil. I have seen shop furnaces that burn used motor oil

[shaun005]

The council got big containers here in Cornwall for waste oil you just go and tip in in free,lots of builders used it with Wood cresote mixed for soaking and painting fencing posts before they were concreated into the ground,lots also used it for painting underneath their cars they tell me its good stuff for that

[2.2 Straight six]

Originally Posted by shaun005

The council got big containers here in Cornwall for waste oil you just go and tip in in free,lots of builders used it with Wood cresote mixed for soaking and painting fencing posts before they were concreated into the ground,lots also used it for painting underneath their cars they tell me its good stuff for that

I've tried using it to waterproof some wood. Didn't work at all.

At work we have a big steel contailer, when it's full a truck comes and empties it.

[shaun005]

Originally Posted by 2.2 Straight six

I've tried using it to waterproof some wood. Didn't work at all.

At work we have a big steel contailer, when it's full a truck comes and empties it.

Did you have it mixed with cresote you need say a gallon oil and gallon cresote

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by shaun005

Did you have it mixed with cresote you need say a gallon oil and gallon cresote

It's a really bad idea to use used engine oil for any purpose. It has harmful carcenogenic contaminents in it (the byproducts of combustion blowby gases).

Any application on wood fence posts, rust proofing a car etc releases such contaminents into the environment. Do you really want that stuff in your own back yard?

[KiwiBacon]

With the current price of crude, the oil companies should have to buy our used oil from us.