Oil's Interaction with the Environment
Playing Our Part
Recycling for our waterways and our health
What we do with the used oil from our cars plays an important role in balancing our desire for convenient transportation with our desire for a clean and healthy environment today and for future generations. That means keeping it out of our drinking water, off our beaches, and away from wildlife. We all share the responsibility of protecting our environment and keeping our waters safe. Many of us rely on our vehicles to get to work, run errands, or even for trips. Getting informed and taking the proper steps in reducing oil contamination contributes to an improved future for used oil and filter recycling as well as our future.
Did you know?
Did you know that used motor oil never wears out? It just gets dirty and can be recycled, cleaned, and used again. Recycling used motor oil conserves a natural resource (oil) and is good for the environment too!
Consider the Consequences
Motor oil poured onto the ground or into storm drains, or tossed into trash cans (even in a sealed container) can contaminate and pollute the soil, groundwater, streams, and rivers.
In Perspective...
In 2010, 120 million gallons of lubricating oil were sold in California. Approximately 20 percent or 24 million gallons, leaked out of engines or was burned
Pollutants
Used oil can contain such contaminants as lead, magnesium, copper, zinc, chromium, arsenic, chlorides, cadmium, and chlorinated compounds.
Oil in our Waterways
Federal reports indicate that used motor oil accounts for more than 40 percent of the total oil pollution of our nation's harbors and waterways.
Where We Are Headed...
83 million gallons of the remaining oil was recycled, preventing it from being improperly disposed of down storm drains, into lakes or streams, or thrown in the garbage.