The Centreville Press September 29, 2003

Oil Recycling Collection Sites Located in Bibb County

By Lisa Lightsey

Receptacles for used motor oil have been set up within Bibb County as a means of conserving energy, preserving a valuable natural resource, and protecting the environment. Project R.O.S.E. (Recycled Oil Saves Energy), a non-profit energy conservation program, has worked to educate the public about the dangers of improper disposal of used motor oil, and has worked with local organizations and businesses across the state to recycle motor oil.

“We have placed several used motor oil receptacles throughout the area,” said Charlotte Nix, assistant coordinator for the R.O.S.E. project. “Collection sties in Bibb County are at Advance Auto Parts, Gilliland Automotive Repair, Jack’s Used Cars, and at Barton Transmission and Auto Repair. It’s important that the used oil is not mixed with any other substance prior to being emptied in to the collection receptacles.”

According to Ms. Nix, there a variety of reasons to recycle motor oil.

“Used motor oil is very dangerous to the environment,” said Ms. Nix. “One gallon of used oil from a single oil change can make a millions of gallons of fresh water undrinkable. Used oil can foul sewage treatment processes, and, if it gets in the water, the film on the water’s surface prevents oxygen from entering the water and it blocks sunlight, making it difficult for plants to photosynthesize, reducing plant and animal life in bodies of water. Oil also is a very sticky substance that sticks to everything, including sand and birds’ feathers. It is insoluble and slow to degrade.”

Ms. Nix stated that one of the primary methods used motor gets into the environment is not only through illegal dumping, but also from leaky car motors.

“It’s important to maintain your car properly,” said Ms. Nix. “A great deal of oil leaks from cars due to faulty, leaky gaskets. The leaked oil spills onto streets and washes into storm drains. From the storm drains, the

oil flows into our lakes, streams, and bays.”

Recycling used motor oil would also save the United States an estimated 1.3 million barrels of oil each day, reducing our dependency upon foreign oil imports. It’s also illegal to improperly dispose of used motor oil.

“Collecting and recycling used oil it the legal way to do it,” said Ms. Nix. “Improper disposal can lead to criminal penalties, as well as expensive clean-up costs.”

Project R.O.S.E., which is funded by the Alabama Department of

Economic and Community Affairs, is located in the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. It has served as the used motor oil education outreach program for the State of Alabama since 1977. Project R.O.S.E. is currently working with the Lower Cahaba Clean Water Partnership to increase awareness of

the harmful effects caused by the improper disposal of used motor oil.