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Why Auto Service Shops Should Recycle Waste Oil

July 10, 2019

Why Auto Service Shops Should Recycle Waste Oil

Waste Oil — Pouring Oil Into the Engine in Arvada, CO
Your auto service center likely does a lot of oil changes and other work that requires draining and replacing engine oil, leading to a lot of waste oil accumulation. What you do with that waste oil is important, because it must be either disposed of safely or recycled. Here are some reasons why your used oil should be recycled instead of just disposed of.
Disposal Regulations Vary
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has clear standards for used oil disposal. These standards have been put in place as federal regulations, and you must remain compliant with those regulations any time you dispose of used oil.

However, the EPA's regulations are not the only ones that you have to be concerned about. In fact, your state and local authorities may have additional standards and requirements that must be followed when disposing of used oil. In some cases, local regulations may even be more strict and challenging than the EPA's guidelines.

Since those disposal regulations don't apply to recycling used oil, and you can have used oil recycled easily with local companies, you will not have to worry about understanding and adhering to the varying regulations for your area in addition to the federal guidelines.
Recycling Protects the Environment
Used oil can be hazardous to the environment. If it is improperly disposed of, used oil is a serious contamination risk. When inadvertently introduced into groundwater, used oil can contaminate large bodies of water easily, potentially tainting sources of drinking water.

Recycling your oil ensures that the oil stays out of the groundwater and does not leach chemicals into the soil. The oil is removed from your service bays in the large storage drums or other storage containers, keeping the contents secure until that oil can be filtered and reused.
Recycling Costs Less Than New Production
Oil is costly to produce. Even oil produced from U.S. onshore drilling can cost as much as $50 per barrel. Oil produced offshore and overseas can be even more costly. This adds up to an expensive industry, and those costs are typically passed on to consumers and businesses.

In addition, oil resources are finite. Oil will gradually become harder to access, leading to higher production costs because of the increased effort to obtain it. Add to those increased costs the energy required for production, and it is easier to see why recycling is a good idea.
Used Oil Can Be Reused Indefinitely
When oil is used in a car's engine, it gradually picks up dirt, debris, and other particles from the engine compartment. The oil itself, though, remains functional and whole. Recycling used oil involves filtering out any contaminants to clean and purify it. Then, that oil can be used again in other applications.

Most oil can be filtered and reused many times, making recycling a worthwhile undertaking. In addition, recycled oil can even be used as a heating and electrical supply source. You reduce the demand on other resources when you use used oil this way, ultimately saving money on those resources and disposal when the oil finally reaches the end of its usable life.

Recycling used oil is a great way to deal with the oil that is likely accumulating in the oil pits of your service bays. When you work with a disposal and recycling company, you can even get storage drums and other containers to help you keep the oil secure while you await pickup services.

Contact us at Denver Oil today for more information. We will be happy to help you find your oil disposal and recycling resources to keep your garage functioning smoothly.
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