Programs to Promote Proper Disposal of Used Motor Oil

Doug-

I have been following used oil since 1979 in the US. The problem is that their is limited national info on used oil and consumer oil changes practices. Presently DOE estimates that 80% of the Do-it-Yourself (DIY) used oil is immproperly disposed. 348 million gallons of used oil was improperly disposed by DIYers in the US in 2004. Also, this study below cites that oil filters are being recycled in the US at 50% rate. This may be true in California but I have doubts about the rest of the nation doing this since the economics do not support such recovery. A recent Department of Energy report to Congress will give you some of the lastest figures on used oil http://www.fossil.energy.gov/epact/used_oil_report2.pdf Regarding model used oil recycling programs, AL, CA, FL, TX, and SC have some of the best programs.To increase the number of public and private used oil collection centers, many states have adopted the American Petroleum Institute (API) Model Bill or components of it. This bill establishes a state used oil fund which is designed to provide grant funding for cities and towns that wish to establish used oil drop-off or curbside collection programs. The bill also requires that the state establish a 1-800 number to provide information to residents about used oil recycling. Other requirements include posting signs to inform the public about the 1-800 numbers and the need for proper collection and recycling of used motor oil. The bill also reimburses any used oil collection center for the cost associated with contaminated used oil resulting when other hazardous fluids are improperly mixed in with used oil. States such as New York and Massachusetts require service stations that sell oil to accept DIY used oil. Increased public education and ease to collect used oil are key ways to get consumers to recover their used oil. For example curbside collection of used oil has happened for years in AL, CA, NJ, NY and VA is some areas for years. In 1993, California collected 700,000 gallons at the curb (collected along with residential rubbish and/or recyclables). As of July 2004, there were 70 California curbside collection programs of used oil. Chief Auto found that accepting DIY used oil at its stores increased sales of other automotive purchases. Today numerous auto parts stores also act to collect used oil from the DIYer resulting in a win/win for both the retailer and customer. Drop off collection programs for used oil often lack the higher participation rates of other recyclables attained through the convenience of curbside collection programs. There are some developments. Increase in miles driven and increase in number of vehicles has matched the oil change interval increases. Note that US motor oil sales havebeen flat several years now despite these increases. (now the average oil change interval is 5k miles.) For the DIY portion, there has been little info in trade journals on DIY portion. DIY decline as ~2 % so it is estimated at around 40% now and the Quick Lubes or Do-it-For-Me are at 60%. Recognize that this is the volume of oil sold to DIY, and likely does not represent the number of DIY. What is not clear if the DIYy are driving many more miles between changes now or their numbers are dropping. In 1998 there were 450 million light-duty oil filters sold in the United States, while 778 million light-duty filters were purchased in 2002. An average used light-duty oil filter contains on the average eight ounces of oil. Widespread adoption of reusable filter systems could virtually eliminate used oil being trapped in filters and prevent steel filters entering landfills. Also oil quart in California results in about up to 1 million gallons of fresh oil in quart containers disposed as well. Part of the DIYer challenge is targeting who is this person. Such an individual who removes used oil from a motor vehicle, utility engine or farm equipment that he or she owns and operatesfrom blue collar workers to affluent car buffswho change oil from their own vehicles. Often, however, other types of small quantity generators are not included in this category, making a precise accounting of this activity difficult. Finally below is example of two states from a few years back and a conclusion. I would be happy to write another national perspective since I have done one every few years since 1987 if ANY TRADE PUBLICATION WAS INTERESTED. TWO SOUTHEASTERN STATES PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND CONCLUSION Florida In 2002 a statewide network of 1,055 active public collection centers accepted over three million gallons of used oil. Florida Department of Environmental Protection estimates that DIYers generated 7.8 million gallons of oil. It is believed that roughly 39% of the DIYer used oil is collected. Advanced Discount Auto Parts and AutoZone maintain approximately 40% of Floridas public used oil collection sites. Target Corporation has developed a point of sale signage for all their stores nationwide featuring 1-800-Cleanup toll free number and web site (www.earth911.org) to promote used oil collection. South Carolina South Carolina's statewide used oil recycling program targeting do-it-yourselfers (DIYers) continues to flourish. Through a combination of technical assistance and grant funding for local governments, the Office has helped develop one of the nations most comprehensive used oil recycling programs targeting DIYers. For the 5th consecutive year, more than 1 million gallons of used oil was collected in 2003. DIYers recycled 1,124,199 gallons of used motor oil at more than 700 sites across South Carolina. Since the used oil recycling program began in 1990, DIYers have recycled more than 10 million gallons. In addition, DIYers recycled more than 187 tons of used oil filters and more than 48 tons of oil bottles in fiscal year 2003. Precise recycling efforts are not measurable as many counties now collect and market used oil filters and oil bottles with other metals and plastics, respectively. With this being the case, not all filters and bottles that are being recycled are being counted directly. Currently, more than 40 of the state's 46 counties accept used oil filters for recycling with most of those counties also collecting oil bottles for recycling. To assist farmers with the proper management of used oil generated on the farm, DHEC continues to encourage local governments to establish oil recycling sites for farmers. Agricultural oil tanks typically hold 600 gallons of used oil and are fitted with a pump and hose in an effort to make it easier for farmers to deliver up to 55 gallons of used oil at one time. Such tanks are currently available at 24 sites in 21 counties. South Carolina continues to expand its used oil recycling program by adding oil/gasoline mixture collection sites to the county programs. The oil/gasoline mixture tanks are typically 500 gallons and are designed to accept oil, gasoline and oil/gasoline mixtures from lawn equipment and recreational vehicles. Oil/gasoline mixture collection sites have been established at 25 sites in 22 counties. The Office continues to provide local governments with oil bottle drain racks. Draining the oil bottles often makes them more marketable. Drained bottles can normally be mixed with other HDPE (#2) plastics. The DIYers are a large source of used oil disposal. The extent of this pollution to our streams and rivers is currently unknown. Used oil does not only originate from the crankcase drainings of cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, lawn mowers, boats, and planes, but from all types of machinery and industrial applications as well which may make contamination more likely. Re-refining represents the best attempt to return used oil to its original state. Partnerships are critical. Earth 911 promotes used motor oil recycling. They educate consumers about the importance of used motor oil recycling, providing localized information and resources such as recycling and as well as the proper way to do it. The draining, recycling, and advocating of reusable oil filters is another area which requires increased private, public and government support. Every motor vehicle administration in the U.S. could, at a minimum, promote that DIYers drain their oil filter before disposal. This could also be promoted on every oil filter sold. The opportunities to develop on-site, closed-loop, recycling technologies can not be over-stressed, as demonstrated with industrial used oils. Used oil does not wear out, it just gets dirty. Increased awareness is essential to stimulate greater support extending oil changes beyond every 3000 miles (when applicable), using synthetic oils, utilizing reusable oil filters, used oil collection, recycling and the purchasing of re-refined motor oils. Further, private/public cooperative efforts may prevent used oil pollution, save energy, and create new forms of commerce. Both increased consumer demand and corporate responsibility can demonstrate that used oil can be used again and again.

Kindest regards,
Rob Arner,

President Recovery Enterprises
http://conservationmatters.blogspot.com and http://rarner.bravehost.com/

We have a successful 'oil care' campaign here in England & Wales. For further information: [email protected] Tel: +44 1179 156287 www.oilbankline.org.uk and www.environment-agency.gov.uk/oilcare This campaign applied research & evaluation as it developed.

Pete