Dialog Faculty and Staff News September 5, 2000

UA’s Project R.O.S.E. Installs Motor Oil Collection Tanks Across the State

Used motor oil contains dangerous toxins, like lead, chromium and cadmium. When not recycled, used oil contaminates surface water, ground water and soil; kills plants and animals; causes drastic decline in property value; and is hazardous to the health of humans- some toxins found in used motor oil can cause cancer. But a program at The University of Alabama is helping to eliminate some of these environmental hazards.

The UA-sponsored Project R.O.S.E. (Recycled Oil Saves Energy) will soon install seven collection tanks for used motor oil in four areas across Alabama, for the “do-it-yourself” oil changer.

Project R.O.S.E. is one of the oldest volunteer used motor oil outreach and education programs in the United States. The program is located in the UA chemical engineering department and is funded by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs’ Science Technology and Energy Division. Project R.O.S.E. has also formed a partnership with Earth’s 911- a national environmental preservation organization. As a result, Alabamians can simple dial 1-800-CLEANUP, enter their zip code, and receive locally specific motor oil recycling information, including location addresses, phone numbers and hours of operation. The same information can be found at Earth’s 911 Web Address: www.1800cleanup.org.

“Alabama has one of the best volunteer used motor oil recycling programs in the United States,” says Sheri Powell, Project R.O.S.E. coordinator. “Most Alabama citizens are very much aware of what improperly disposed motor oil can do to the environment,” she notes, “but unfortunately there are still a few people out there that don’t have a clue.” Powell cites a recent incident where diesel fuel was being sprayed on weeds in a public park ditch. “There’s no excuse in the day of information overload for not being aware of the potential hazards that improperly disposed petroleum products can cause,” she said.