The Do-it- yourself Oil Changer in the US
Used oil disposal for the American do-it-yourself oil changer (DIYer) can become a serious problem depending how it is managed. As with other pollutants, our greatest challenge is controlling non point sources to restore our water in the US. Simply reflect on the fact that one oil change contains four quarts which, when improperly disposed of, can ruin the taste of a million gallons or drinking water, the supply of 50 people for one year . Used oil can contain toxic substances such as benzene, lead zinc and cadmium that may impact public health and the environment.
Only 57 percent of this used oil is accounted for by recycling. Roughly 45 million people who change their own oil, the so called do-it-yourselfers (DIYers),are a major source of improper disposal of used oil. It is estimated between 193 to 400 million gallons of used oil are released into the environment each year in this manner.
The DIYer is an individual who removes used oil from a motor vehicle, utility engine orfarm equipment that he or she owns and operates—from blue collar workers to affluent car buffs—who change oil from their own vehicles. Often, however, other types of small quantity generators are not included in this category, making a precise accounting of this activity difficult. DIYers are, however, the major source of improper disposal of used oil (i.e., pouring or throwing out used oil). Roughly one gallon of used oil is yearly disposed for every person living in the United States.
In 1961, service stations accounted for about 70% of all sales of lubricating oil for passenger cars. In the late 1980s, retail outlets commanded this market, with DIYers purchasing roughly 60% of all lubricating oil sold. Many retailers sell oil at a loss to draw customers into their stores to purchase other merchandise. Today, the number of DIYers is decreasing because of the convenience, low cost, and abundance of the quick lube shops. Oil experts estimate that roughly 47% of consumers change their oil, while 53% have it done for them. However, proper disposal of DIY used oil is still a concern. Although DIYers may be decreasing, they still play a significant part in used oil impacting the environment since estimates range from two-thirds to three-fourths of their used oil is not collected for recycling
Also reducing the generation of used oil can be aggressively promoted for resource conservation reasons. Every American must become aware that they may not have to change their oil every 3000 miles, and newer cars mean that people can change their oil a few thousand miles more up to 7500 miles per oil change. This may result in cutting the used oil volume by half to one-third of today’s generation. However, extended oil change intervals depend both upon on specific driving habits and individual vehicle warranty provisions. Another conservation effort would be if motorists start using synthetic oils again, thus increasing the life span of their oil and decreasing the number of oil changes.
An additional way to minimize used oil waste is to purchase reusable filers. In 1998 there were 450 million light-duty oil filters sold in the United States, while 778 million light-duty filters were purchased in 2002. An average used light-duty oil filter contains on the average six to eight ounces of oil. One innovative approach would be to promote reusable oil filters that are compatible with engines that use the one-piece sealed spin-on filter. No modifications or tools are required to install these filters on any engine that uses a spin-on filter, and they allow for the recovery of all used motor oil. The assembly housing is reused; only the paper element is replaced, and this can be easily recycled or burned for energy. Widespread adoption of these reusable filter systems would virtually eliminate used oil being trapped in filters and prevent steel filters entering landfills. If produced in volume, this filter could be manufactured for under a dollar . At the point of final sale, the filter would cost somewhat less than the current spin-on filter. Reusable filters were popular up to the early 1960s and are still widely used in the racing industry.
Nationally, an environmental information network, Earth 911 helps promote used motor oil recycling. This alliance will educate consumers about the importance of used motor oil recycling, providing localized information and resources such as recycling and as well as the proper way to do it.
The DIYers are a large source of used oil disposal. The extent of this pollution to our streams and rivers is currently unknown. Used oil does not only originate from the crankcase drainings of cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, lawn mowers, boats, and planes, but from all types of machinery and industrial applications as well which may make contamination more likely. Re-refining represents the best attempt to return used oil to its original state.
Only 57 percent of this used oil is accounted for by recycling. Roughly 45 million people who change their own oil, the so called do-it-yourselfers (DIYers),are a major source of improper disposal of used oil. It is estimated between 193 to 400 million gallons of used oil are released into the environment each year in this manner.
The DIYer is an individual who removes used oil from a motor vehicle, utility engine orfarm equipment that he or she owns and operates—from blue collar workers to affluent car buffs—who change oil from their own vehicles. Often, however, other types of small quantity generators are not included in this category, making a precise accounting of this activity difficult. DIYers are, however, the major source of improper disposal of used oil (i.e., pouring or throwing out used oil). Roughly one gallon of used oil is yearly disposed for every person living in the United States.
In 1961, service stations accounted for about 70% of all sales of lubricating oil for passenger cars. In the late 1980s, retail outlets commanded this market, with DIYers purchasing roughly 60% of all lubricating oil sold. Many retailers sell oil at a loss to draw customers into their stores to purchase other merchandise. Today, the number of DIYers is decreasing because of the convenience, low cost, and abundance of the quick lube shops. Oil experts estimate that roughly 47% of consumers change their oil, while 53% have it done for them. However, proper disposal of DIY used oil is still a concern. Although DIYers may be decreasing, they still play a significant part in used oil impacting the environment since estimates range from two-thirds to three-fourths of their used oil is not collected for recycling
Also reducing the generation of used oil can be aggressively promoted for resource conservation reasons. Every American must become aware that they may not have to change their oil every 3000 miles, and newer cars mean that people can change their oil a few thousand miles more up to 7500 miles per oil change. This may result in cutting the used oil volume by half to one-third of today’s generation. However, extended oil change intervals depend both upon on specific driving habits and individual vehicle warranty provisions. Another conservation effort would be if motorists start using synthetic oils again, thus increasing the life span of their oil and decreasing the number of oil changes.
An additional way to minimize used oil waste is to purchase reusable filers. In 1998 there were 450 million light-duty oil filters sold in the United States, while 778 million light-duty filters were purchased in 2002. An average used light-duty oil filter contains on the average six to eight ounces of oil. One innovative approach would be to promote reusable oil filters that are compatible with engines that use the one-piece sealed spin-on filter. No modifications or tools are required to install these filters on any engine that uses a spin-on filter, and they allow for the recovery of all used motor oil. The assembly housing is reused; only the paper element is replaced, and this can be easily recycled or burned for energy. Widespread adoption of these reusable filter systems would virtually eliminate used oil being trapped in filters and prevent steel filters entering landfills. If produced in volume, this filter could be manufactured for under a dollar . At the point of final sale, the filter would cost somewhat less than the current spin-on filter. Reusable filters were popular up to the early 1960s and are still widely used in the racing industry.
Nationally, an environmental information network, Earth 911 helps promote used motor oil recycling. This alliance will educate consumers about the importance of used motor oil recycling, providing localized information and resources such as recycling and as well as the proper way to do it.
The DIYers are a large source of used oil disposal. The extent of this pollution to our streams and rivers is currently unknown. Used oil does not only originate from the crankcase drainings of cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, lawn mowers, boats, and planes, but from all types of machinery and industrial applications as well which may make contamination more likely. Re-refining represents the best attempt to return used oil to its original state.
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