What to do with used engine oil?

Content

What will you learn from this post?
Shortly speaking
Never drain used engine oil!
Burning engine oil? ABSOLUTELY NOT!
Where can I return used engine oil?
Easiest solution? Oil change in a car workshop

Changing engine oil is a simple task - you can easily do it yourself from the comfort of your garage. The matter gets more complicated later on. What to do with used oil? Pour it into a sump, burn it, put it back in the OSS? You will find the answer in our post!

What will you learn from this post?

How do I dispose of used engine oil?
Where can I return used engine oil?

Shortly speaking

Used motor oil, sealed in sealed, preferably original, packaging, can be returned to the nearest municipal selective waste collection center or purchasing point for the disposal of this type of fluid. It is extremely important NOT to throw it in the garden, down the drain or burn it in an oven - used motor oil is very poisonous.

Never drain used engine oil!

Although the crude oil that is used to make motor oils is a natural substance, the petroleum compounds obtained from its distillation are classified as some of the most harmful to the environment. It is estimated that only 1 kilogram of used engine oil can contaminate up to 5 million liters of water.... For yourself, your family and neighbors, never do not empty used grease in the garden or down the drain... Such contamination can poison the soil and get into groundwater, and from there into rivers, bodies of water and, finally, into taps in the immediate vicinity. For the sake of order, we add that for such a disposal of engine oil faces a fine of PLN 500 – although the environmental consequences should be a much more important warning, because we will pay for them in a currency that cannot be valued: health and a sense of security.

In the past, used engine oil was used to protect wood and lubricate machinery such as agricultural machinery. Today we know it doesn't make any sense because overloaded "grease" loses most of its properties other than toxicity. It still remains harmful - it can drain with rain and get into the soil. What will happen next, we already know.

Burning engine oil? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Also, under no circumstances should used engine oil be burned. When exposed to high temperatures, toxic chemicals are released from its components.including highly toxic metals such as cadmium and lead, sulfur compounds and benzo (a) pyrene, which have been scientifically proven to be carcinogenic.

Meanwhile, many auto repair shops and companies have so-called used engine oil furnaces. You can buy them in stores and online auctions, and sellers advertise them as a cheap source of heat. Selling and possessing (for the purpose of... collecting) such a device is not illegal. However, its use is yes. Here we are dealing with a classic legal confusion for which the nomenklatura is responsible. Yes, fuel oil or kerosene can be used in such furnaces, but not with engine oil. Their name is just a marketing ploy to encourage you to buy. Waste engine oil is disposed of by burning, but in specialized devices, generates a much higher temperature and is equipped with special filtersand not in this type of oven.

Where can I return used engine oil?

So what do you do with your used engine oil? The easiest way is to take it to the nearest selective waste collection point (SWSC). Of course, such places are not required to accept large quantities of working fluids, but the few liters of oil that you drain from the engine should not be a problem. Especially if you bring them in original unopened packaging.

You can also donate your used engine oil to special purchase. Of course, you probably won't make a dime out of it because liquid disposal companies are more interested in bulk volumes, but at least you'll get rid of the problem - legally and safely.

Easiest solution? Oil change in a car workshop

When you change your engine oil in the garage, it's up to the mechanic to dispose of the used fluid - in terms of "inconvenience" this is the simplest solution... The added benefit is time savings and the confidence that everything was done the right way.

Time to change your engine oil? Bet on trusted brands - Elf, Shell, Liqui Moly, Motul, Castrol, Mobil or Ravenol. We have collected them in one place - on avtotachki.com.