Changing your oil

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans throw away enough used motor oil each year to fill 120 supertankers. Properly disposed of, motor oil can be re-refined into lubricants, processed for fuel oils, and used as raw materials for refining and petrochemical
industries. Unfortunately, dumped onto the ground, tossed in the trash where it ultimately ends up in landfills, and poured down storm sewers are the methods often used to dispose of used motor oil. Not
only is this wasteful, it is harmful.

To recycle used oil:

Find a clean, leak-proof container with a screw top, such as the original motor oil container, to hold the dirty oil. Make sure the container has a secure lid, and is
thoroughly clean.
Never use containers that have held household chemicals, such as bleach.
After draining the oil from your
vehicle's crankcase, pour the oil into the
container and securely fasten the top.
Label it clearly "used oil," and keep the oil out of reach of children and pets.

Recycling oil filters

Whether you recycle or dispose of your used oil filter, it must be thoroughly drained of its oil. Special handling is required.
Loosen the old oil filter.
Using a sharp tool, puncture a hole in the dome end of the filter or through the antidrain back valve located on the flat end of it. The valve consists of a rubber flap that creates a vacuum to prevent oil from draining back into the engine when it is not running. Puncturing the filter breaks the vacuum and allows the trapped oil to be recovered for recycling.
Place the flat end of the punctured filter on the used oil collection container and drain as much used oil as possible. Used oil filters should be drained a minimum of 12 hours at a temperature that is near engine operating temperature (approximately 60 degrees F).

To find out about oil and oil filter recycling in your area, contact your local recycling center or call Pennsylvania DEPÕs Recycling Hotline at 1-800-346-4242 or check out their website at www.dep.state.pa.us.

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Published in the April 2001 issue of the AAA Traveler.