Cooperative Farming News November 2003

Have used motor oil? Here’s what to do

Have used motor oil? Don’t know what to do with it? Project R.O.S.E. (Recycled Oil Saves Energy), Alabama’s used motor oil public outreach program located in the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Alabama, can help you.

Since 1977, Project R.O.S.E. has been helping Alabamians do the right thing when it comes to proper disposal of used motor oil. Since its inception, well over 500 locations across the state have been established.

Each year, Project R.O.S.E. hosts an annual 5K race to raise money to place collection tanks in rural areas of Alabama. “Our bigger cities are well served with used motor oil collection sites,” said Charlotte Nix, Assistant Coordinator of Project R.O.S.E. “We appreciate the many quick lube facilities and auto parts retailers who volunteer to accept used motor oil for recycling. To find recycling locations in rural areas, we had to dig a little more to find them because they are owned by individuals instead of corporations.”

Since May of this year, Project R.O.S.E. has added 33 new collection sites, donating six of the new tanks. “An additional six tanks were delivered at the end of the summer,” said Nix.

Used motor oil can contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals that are harmful to plants, animals and humans. Used motor oil is insoluble, persistent, slow to degrade, and sticks to everything from sand to bird feathers. The amount of used motor oil from a single oil change, approximately one gallon, can ruin a million gallons of fresh water. It is estimated the in the U.S., 200 million gallons of used motor oil is improperly disposed.

“When used motor oil is improperly disposed, it not only pollutes the environment but wastes a valuable resource, a resource that can be used over and over,” said Sheri Powell, Coordinator of Project R.O.S.E. “Used motor oil never wears out, it only gets dirty. The only proper disposal method for used motor oil is recycling.”

“Do-it-yourself (DIY) oil changers are encouraged to recycle used motor oil,” said Nix. “Used motor oil should never be mixed with other substances.” Collection site information is available by calling Project R.O.S.E. toll free (in Alabama) at 1-800-452-5901, logging onto the Internet address at http://prose.eng.ua.edu, or dialing 1-800-CLEAN-UP.