Change Your Oil, Protect the Environment

The amount of motor oil used in a simple car oil change can contaminate up to one million gallons of water if improperly disposed of. Even still, an estimated 185 million gallons of used motor oil each year is dumped on the ground, poured down storm drains and thrown in the trash. This is why it’s important to know how to dispose of your motor oil after changing it.

You can not only help the environment by doing this, but you can also conserve resources. Take your used oil and filter to the used oil collection center nearest you, and you’ll be doing Mother Nature a huge favor. If your community doesn’t have a used oil collection center, check for an alternative location. These are often found at lube-and-tune centers, repair shops and dealerships.

The US Department of Energy recently determined that over 80 percent of used motor oil that comes as a result of do-it-yourself activities – including oil changes – is improperly disposed of.