Project R.O.S.E. (Recycled Oil Saves Energy) has served as Alabama's statewide used oil collection and recycling program since 1977. Program goals include conserving energy, preserving a valuable natural resource and protecting the environment. To accomplish its purpose, Project R.O.S.E. educates the public about recycling used motor oil, helps establish used oil recycling programs and offers used oil collection and recycling assistance. Project R.O.S.E. is funded by the Alabama Department of Community Affairs, Science, Technology and Energy Division. It is sponsored and housed by the University of Alabama, College of Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering.

Used motor oil in not commonly recognized as a recyclable material and is not viewed as a significant problem. But this is a misconception. Used motor oil can contaminate our soil and water and make both humans and wildlife ill. Crude oil straight from the ground is processed into numerous products such as gasoline, lubricating oils and asphalt. To make some of these products, an "additive package" is mixed with the crude oil for better performance. To manufacture lubricating oil for automobiles some additives include detergent, corrosion inhibitors and rust inhibitors. While the automobile is running the motor oil collects dirt, heavy metals (lead, cadmium, zinc and barium), iron, steel particles and copper. Several of these contaminants are toxic and harmful to the environment. With more than 4.4 million vehicles registered in the State of Alabama alone, it is of paramount importance that we learn the proper and safe method of disposal of used motor oil.

Consider that each of those 4.4 million vehicles in Alabama contains about 5 quarts of oil at a given time and must be changed about three times a year. That equates to millions upon millions of gallons of used motor oil. What happens to all that used oil? Is it disposed of properly? Investigations show that about 60 per cent of used oil nationwide is being recycled. But the remaining 40 per cent is improperly disposed of through dumping on the ground or into our rivers and lakes.

A great deal of oil leaks from cars due to faulty, leaking gaskets. The leaked oil spills onto streets and washes into storm drains. From these storm drains, the oil flows into our lakes, streams, and bays. By recycling your used motor oil, you protect our natural sources of water.

Here are a few astonishing facts concerning recycling used oil:

• By simply recycling the motor oil from one oil change, you protect a million gallons of drinking water - as much as a year's supply of water for 50 adults.
• If a gallon of used motor oil is reprocessed (recycled) and burned as fuel, it will generate enough electricity to power everything in a home for one day.
• Recycling also serves to help us reduce our dependency upon foreign oil imports.
• Americans throw away enough used motor oil every year to fill 120 supertankers.
• Used oil is insoluble, persistent, slow to degrade, sticks to everything from beach sand to bird feathers and can contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals that pose a health threat to humans, plants and animals.
• An estimated 200 million gallons of used motor oil is improperly disposed of each year in the United States.
• Recycling used oil would save the United States at least 1.3 million barrels of oil per day.
• One gallon of recycled, used oil provides the same 2.5 quarts of high-quality lubricating oil as 42 gallons of crude oil.
• Used motor oil can be reprocessed and used in power plants to produce electricity that warms your family in the winter and keeps them cool in the summer.
• Recycled, processed motor oil can be used in industrial burners, mixed with asphalt for paving or blended for marine fuels.
  
  FOR A USED OIL COLLECTION SITE NEAR YOU CALL (1-800) CLEANUP.