Internal combustion engines composed of metal parts are always moving constantly. In order to prevent the components rubbing against one another, a thin film of lubricating oil – motor oil is applied. This helps reduce friction and works to reduce any damage arising from the heat built-up in the engine. Motor oil also reduces they instances of engine rust and improves the ability of a vehicle or other engine to start. However, because it is essential to change motor oil with regularity, companies and individuals need to work with oil recycling companies to prevent serious environmental issues.
Oil Changes Create Environmental Risks
Lubrication of any engine breaks down over time. The running engine wears away at the lubrication making changing it a necessity. Individuals companies and garages all change the oil of a car or other vehicle. When this occurs, some are not careful about the method of its disposal. They dump it down drains and into rivers, into ditches and even directly into bodies of water. In Grand Rivers, MI and elsewhere in the United States, this is illegal.
The disposal of oil in this manner can result in environmental problems. Oil is a toxic substance. It should not mix with drinking water or soak into the ground. It will not dissipate. It is not incorporated. It will pollute.
To accomplish this does not require a large amount of oil. A single gallon is capable of contaminating 1 million gallons of water. Considering American drivers produce approximately 1.3 billion (YES BILLION) gallons each year, this is a serious issue. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates dump illegally around 200 million gallons annually.
Oil Recycling Companies: Part of the Solution
Researchers indicate there are several solutions to the problem of motor oil and illegal disposal. They propose various steps including:
- Education about the hazards of improper disposal of motor oil offers a partial solution
- Information about how to dispose of the used motor oil including the locations of oil recycling companies
- Reduction of vehicle dependency on oil through better design and construction
- Increased an improved oil recycling and reclamation
While most people know about and are involved in some form of recycling e.g. aluminum cans, glass bottles, newspapers and plastic containers, not as many are aware of the need to reduce and recycle used motor oil and other petroleum-based products. The need is to increase the level of knowledge in this area in order to decrease the instances of illegal dumping of this dangerous material.
Educating Americans on this topic may be difficult. It will require reordering of habitual behavior. However, if the process is carried out properly and appropriately, employees in local factories and auto repair shops as well the residences of such places as Grand Rapids, will discover how easy and beneficial it is to dispose of their dirty oil to local oil recycling companies.