Used Oil Recycling

Recycling used oil waste from your car, truck or any motor vehicle is important to the environment. Do you know what to do with old oil?

Part of growing into a manhood involved the process of leaning how to change your used own oil in your car. To me it was a challenge, I was never mechanically inclined but even I could change my own oil.

In the 60's cars seem relatively simple in comparison to the computerized rides of the 21st century. Years ago a futuristic magazine displayed what cars would look like in the year 2000. Looking back the cars from that magazine looked like many of the cars of today. We are in a new age of automobiles but with the same old problem of changing old motor oil in our cars.

In the old days we dug a hole and put it back in the ground from whence it came. We didn't give a thought about our fresh water system or anything else environmentally safe. Today, as you know, things are different and used motor oil should be recycled according to state law and ethical behavior. In other words, if you change your own oil disregard the oil in the right place. Used oil is toxic and can pollute streams, rivers and oceans.

I read the other day that 158 million American's still change their own oil. I change my own oil. I didn't start changing it again until recently. I would lose my manhood if I surrendered my car to someone else to change the oil. Seriously, I do change my oil and it isn't any harder than it was in the 60's. I prefer to change my oil because many of the fast lube places are not trust worthy and I save a dollar or two.

When I complete the process of changing my oil I simply take the waste oil to a local car repair place, pay little fee and do the recycling. I do not pour the oil into a hole like I did when I was a kid. I am sure someone is still pouring old oil into the ground because they are to lazy to put it in a container and take it to a recycling center. It is time to stop acting like a child and do the right thing, recycle your used oil.

If you have been thinking about changing your own oil to save a few dollars let me tell you what to do. First, look under the hood of the car and find the information about your cars engine. It will have the size of the engine on a little white, metal card. Now, go to your parts store and tell them the make and model of the car. In addition they need to know the size of engine. After giving them this information they will tell you how much oil to buy. In addition, you can buy a reusable plastic container to but the old into. You can also buy an oil filter wrench and an oil pan wrench. Now, go home and work like a man or a woman. You might need to jack up the car but on most models you can just crawl under the front and reach the oil pan and filter.

The first time I changed my own oil after years of hiring someone, it was joke. I forgot to tighten down the nut on the oil pan and oil went everywhere. Today, I am an expert, once again, at changing my own oil.

Please remember to put the plastic oil catcher under the car before you start changing our oil. The first time I changed my own oil, the catcher was to small. Well, it did catch all the oil but I sure made a mess.

Now, you have your oil changed and all is working great. What you do next is locate a recycling center close to you. You can get on the phone and locate a place or follow this link for possible oil recycling centers near you. Good luck in your new venture and be careful.

Many service stations, repair facilities and quick lubes will accept used oil and used oil filters. Additionally, your local government or recycling coordinator may be able to identify curbside or other recycling programs in your area. The best way of locating a nearby collection center is to visit the web site

This web site allows you to search for collection centers by ZIP code. It also has information on recycling other items like batteries, electronics, and aluminum. Used Oil Recycling Information