| Used Oil Collection Center By George L. Tabb from Montgomery County for SMP15 on 2003-07-23 USED OIL COLLECTION CENTER to open in Ramer Area Have you ever changed the oil in your tractor or other farm machinery and then dumped or buried the used oil on your farm, poured it into a ditch or in a field to kill weeds or on a dirt path to cut down on dust? These practices can add up to a big disaster for your crops, animals, and even your family. A solution for collecting used motor oil is being put to the test by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System/Montgomery County, Project R.O.S.E. (Recycled Oil Saves Energy), Montgomery County High School-Vo-Ag Department, Montgomery County Department of Engineers and sponsors Montgomery County Farm Service and Welfare Association and Representative Thad McClammy of District 76. The Used Oil Collection Center will officially open to the public, especially those in the Grady and Ramer area on July 22, 2003, at the Montgomery County Bridge Maintenance Facility and District III Headquarters on Hickory Grove Road in Ramer, Alabama. Collection Days will be Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of each week. When used oil is dumped it becomes an environmental hazard. Used oil can contaminate surface and ground water and soils. Just five gallons of used oil can contaminate one million gallons of fresh water – which is a year’s supply for fifty (50) people. Used oil can kill plants and animals. Dumped motor oil is also a health hazard. Used oil contains toxins: heavy metals such as lead, chromium and cadmium: napthalene: chlorinated hydrocarbons and other inorganic chemicals. Large amounts of lead and other heavy metals accumulate in the oil during the combustion process. Lead is especially dangerous to children. It can cause permanent learning disabilities, poor motor coordination, stunted growth and reduced intelligence. Some chemicals found in oil can cause cancer. George Tabb, County Extension Agent with the Montgomery County Office of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, organized this project to provide a convenient opportunity for farming communities and do-it-yourselfers, to properly dispose of used petroleum products. Used oil is a common waste product on the farm and around a lot of homes and in rural communities where a disposal site is not readily available. Farmers and do-it-yourself oil changers are asked to take a few steps to use the project. 1) Collect the used oil in a container. 2) Pour it in a clean storage container and seal it. 3) Only mix the following materials with oil, crank case oil, gear box oil, hydraulic oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, diesel fuel or kerosene. 4) Do not mix paint cleaners, parts cleaners, water, Varsol, mineral spirits, gasoline, paint solvents or anti-freeze with the oil. 5) Do not mix with petroleum or store in pesticide container. 6) Deliver it to the used oil collection center on Hickory Grove Road and pour it into the collection tank for proper disposal.
|
