When disposed of improperly or illegally dumped, oil does not readily break down and has the potential to cause serious environmental impact. It is estimated that just one gallon of used oil has the potential to contaminate up to one million litres of drinking water.
If used motor oil and the contaminants it contains are disposed of inappropriately and released into the environment, they can harm humans, plants, animals, fish and shellfish.
Used motor oil is hazardous
Motor oil picks up a variety of hazardous contaminants when used in engines and transmissions. These contaminants include lead, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, dioxins, benzene and polycyclic aromatics. If used motor oil and the contaminants it contains are disposed of inappropriately and released into the environment, they can harm humans, plants, animals, fish and shellfish.
In water, oil is a visible pollutant, floating as a scum on the surface. This oil scum can stop sunlight and oxygen from getting into the water, affecting fish and water plants. It can kill fish, frogs and other animals that breathe from the water’s surface.
Low temperature burning of used oil can create airborne pollutants that can get into people’s lungs and have adverse health effects.
Used motor oil can be recycled
Oil doesn’t wear out; it just gets dirty. Used oil can be cleaned, re-refined and used again and again.
Used motor oil can undergo various treatments and then be used as an industrial burner fuel, or re-refined back into new lubricating and hydraulic oil.
Appropriate disposal
Used motor oil and machinery oil is a valuable resource. If it is disposed of at a used oil collection facility, it can be recovered and re-used, without posing a threat to humans or the environment.
No other substances should ever be allowed to mix with used oil. Contamination by water or other chemicals may mean the used oil can’t be recycled.
Inappropriate disposal
Unfortunately, not all used motor oil is disposed of appropriately in South-Africa. Used motor oil ends up in landfill when put into containers in household garbage bins. Inappropriate uses include pouring onto weeds, spraying on roads as a dust suppressant, cleaning tools and protecting timber posts and fences from termites. These practices are harmful because the used oil can then enter the soil and leach through to contaminate ground water.
Storing containers of used oil in sheds on farms and in garages creates a fire hazard. It is also dangerous to store used oil in containers for long periods of time. Many materials can degrade when in contact with used oil, increasing the risk of a spill.
Contact Old Oil Boys to dispose your old/used oil. We will even pay you for it!
