The more waste we generate, the more we have to treat, store, and dispose of. So recycling makes more sense today than ever. Improper waste management costs money—your money! You pay in higher consumer prices, taxes for environmental cleanups, and increased health care costs, when wastes are improperly managed. Recycling saves money and protects the environment. So help be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Recycle used oil and other household materials, such as newspaper, glass, metals, and plastic. If your community has an oil recycling program, join it. If it doesn't, start one. Write for EPA's manual entitled "How to Set Up A Local Program To Recycle Used Oil" at the address below or call EPA's RCRA/Superfund Hotline at 1-800-424-9346 (in Washington, DC, 382-3000). Remember: Environmental quality is everybody's business, and everybody can do a lot to help. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Solid Waste 401 M Street, SW Washington, DC 20460 United States EPA/530-SW-89-039B Environmental Protection June 1989 Agency Solid Waste And Emergency Response (OS-305/ oEPA Recycling Used Oil What Can You Do? Printed on Recycled Paper ------- Why Recycling Your Oil Helps The Environment And Saves Energy o Used oil from a single oil change can ruin a million gallons of fresh water—a year's supply for 50 people. Used oil is insoluble, persistent, and can contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals. It's slow to degrade. It sticks to everything from beach sand to bird feathers. Used oil is a major source of oil pollution in our nation's waterways. o "Do-it-yourselfers"~consumers who change their own oil-generate at least 200 million gallons of used oil every year. Americans who change their own oil throw away 120 million gallons of recoverable motor oil by dumping it on the ground, by pouring it down stormdrains, or by putting it in trash cans. o Recycling this oil would save the United States 1.3 million barrels of oil per day. One gallon of used oil provides the same 2.5 quarts of lubricating oil as 42 gallons of crude oil. Recycling Works! What Can You Do? RECYCLE! Today, almost 60 percent of the nation's automotive oil is changed by consumers themselves. Recycle used oil from cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, and lawnmowers. It's easy to recycle used oil ... Put your used oil in a clean plastic container with a tight lid. Don't mix it with anything else (paint, gasoline, solvents, antifreeze, etc.). Take it to a service station or other location that collects used oil for recycling. Call your local or state government to find out where. ------- |