Oil recycling at your business is imperative as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that approximately 200 million gallons of used oil are improperly disposed of each year, contaminating waterways and endangering wildlife. Recycling oil is easy, however, and allows for the preservation of not only the environment but natural resources as well. Recycled oil can be used as raw materials for the refining and petrochemical industries, rerefined into lubricants and processed into fuel oils.

The oil recycling process involves the use of oil recycling equipment such as processors and refiners that remove water, insolubles, dirt, heavy metals, nitrogen, chlorine and oxygenated compounds from used oil. The finished product is called rerefined oil and must meet the same standards as virgin oil. Consider the following waste oil recycling benefits before contacting oil recyclers:

1. Used oil sent to recycling will not contaminate soil and water.

2. Resources are saved by using oil recycling technology instead of starting over with a virgin product.

3. Less energy is used producing rerefined oil than producing virgin crude oil.

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Learn how rerefined oil produced from waste oil recycling is used in the workplace

Using recycled oil is almost the same as using virgin oil, as the refined product is simply reconditioned oil. This means businesses that use regular oil will see no difference in the performance of rerefined oil. Laboratory testing and field studies have been conducted to ensure that rerefined oil is equivalent to and in some cases outperforms virgin oil.

I recommend: Gain a better understanding of how used oil recycling pertains to small businesses by learning more with information provided by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). You may also be interested in a case study about a county that has been using rerefined oil since 1992. Check the King County, WA, site for more information.

Find an oil recycling plant in your area to recycle oil and used oil filters

Make waste oil recycling as easy as possible by finding oil recycling companies in your area that fit your business needs. Recycling used oil filters is just as critical to the environment as recycling scrap oil, so find a facility in your area that handles these filters to ensure your business diverts waste from landfills. With oil recycling fast becoming the preferred way of handling waste oil, you will have no problem finding an oil recycling business in your community online.

I recommend: To find a recycling center in your area check out the Used Filter Hotline at the Filter Manufacturers Council to search by location. The FMC also provides businesses with information about how to choose the appropriate filter management service. You should also take a look at the American Petroleum Institute site, where you can learn about how your business can partner with the organization, an oil recycling company, to enhance your sustainability efforts and recycle used oil.

Understand how to collect and prepare used oil for the oil recycling process

Recycling used oil is easy, although you must be careful when handling and preparing waste oil for the recycling process. Before taking waste oil to a nearby plant be cautious not to spill or mix waste oil with other products as it may harshly affect surroundings as well as the refinement process. Don't hesitate to check out guidelines online to ensure successful oil recycling.

I recommend: Make sure you are collecting waste oil properly by checking out the tips at Earth911.com. For in-depth knowledge about industrial oil recycling, take a look at the featured article in Machinery Lubrication Magazine entitled, "Managing Industrial Oil."

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Always store used oil in a clean plastic container. Containers that have been used for chemicals or food are not appropriate and can affect the oil recycling process.

Oil recycling is an easy and conscientious way to get rid of your used motor oil and simultaneously help the environment. Two gallons of oil can pollute 2,000,000 gallons of water. The same two gallons of oil, when recycled, can create almost enough electricity to provide 24 hours of power for an average American household. Specific benefits include: 1. Used oil is often processed through the extraction of contaminants like lead and the boiling off of any water. The oil is then fit for running industrial machinery. 2. It is employed as a fuel for power and heating in various capacities. 3. By recycling, you cut down on the amount going into the ground, which makes your water and soil safer for the future.

Do-it-yourselfers only have to dispose of their own used oil properly; owners of small car-service stations have a lot more oil to dispose of. Either way, it's easy to make use of oil recycling technology and help keep the environment healthy. Three simple steps to help yourself and the planet:

1. Put waste oil in a container instead of dumping it in the ground.

2. Find an oil recycling company.

3. Transport the oil to a business with the proper oil recycling equipment.

Action Steps
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Save the used oil in a safe waste-oil recycling container

Standard oil recycling equipment includes a funnel and a sealable plastic container with no leaks. Business owners who service many cars obviously have a lot more used oil to take care of. The important thing to remember is that your container or containers must be strong enough to hold the amount of oil you plan to store and recycle as well as safely transport when you're ready to dispose of it. Consider a screw-top container; once you've filled it, seal it firmly and store it in a safe area if you can't recycle it right away.

I recommend: There are many types of containers acceptable for storing oil. Whether you're a business owner or simply someone who changes the oil in your own vehicle, choose the option that best fits your needs.

Locate a local oil recycling business

It's easy to find a business that accepts used motor oil. Most car service centers are certified oil recycling businesses, because many of them specialize in oil changing services. They are equipped with the correct oil recycling technology to handle the waste oil and dispose of it in a proper fashion. These include companies such as service stations like Jiffy Lube and automobile parts stores like AutoZone. If you're a business owner with larger amounts of oil, however, you'll need another option. Depending on your area, there are usually larger processing plants available to you.

I recommend: Find the nearest oil recycling companies by using a recycling locator. The Earth911 site and Jiffy Lube's site let you search by zip code.

Transport and drop off your used oil and contribute to a cleaner environment

It's a good idea to deliver your oil to a recycling center sooner rather than later. Make sure that the openings in your container are securely sealed, then take your oil to the nearest center and let professionals with the appropriate oil recycling equipment dispose of it properly. However, if you can't recycle oil right away, simply store it safely until you can get to a recycling center.

I recommend: Storage recommendations include labeling your containers and keeping them away from heat. Business owners must be especially aware of the rules and regulations concerning used oil storage.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  An important part of the oil recycling process is the disposal of the used oil filter. Take the filter to the recycling center along with your discarded oil. That way, all of your used equipment is recycled properly.
• •  Limit the amount of oil you take to your local company; many oil recycling companies have limits on the volume of oil allowed per person. Call before you transport your oil.

Oil recycling should be practiced by every driver on the road. Motor oil is a resource that can be reused indefinitely, and there is no reason that it should make its way into the waste system. Both motor oil and oil filters should be recycled, and taking social responsibility for what happens to your vehicle should all be a part of your oil recycling education and training.

Waste oil recycling is available in most every state, and knowing where it is available is just one step to helping the environment. Knowing the how and why can also help you educate those around you and encourage them to participate in recycling as well.

To make the most of oil recycling education and training resources:

1. Begin with background information on oil recycling.

2. Take advantage of government resources on used oil recycling.

3. Watch and learn from videos on how to recycle oil.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start with background information on oil recycling technology and the industry

Find out about oil recycling and oil recycling equipment to familiarize yourself with the importance of why you need to recycle your used oil and filters.

I recommend: Learn about oil recycling from the American Petroleum Institute. Find out how used motor oil can be refined back into base stock. API offers additional background information on oil recycling technology and information.

Utilize government oil recycling resources

Take advantage of federal and state-wide oil recycling resources, programs and facilities. Use government sites to find the nearest recycling center near you.

I recommend: Residents of Pennsylvania can search for recycling sites by city, county or zip code. Their state Department of Environmental Protection also offers information on how to recycle the used motor oil. Residents of California can search for a Certified Used Oil Recycling Center near them by city, county, or ZIP code. The California Integrated Waste Board website also offers information why using recycled oil is a socially conscious decision.

Learn from online videos how to recycle oil

You don't have to work for the oil recycling companies to know how to recycle your own oil. Learn for yourself from online videos to become your own pro.

I recommend: Watch the Earth911 video Envirotip on How To Change & Recycle Your Motor Oil as part of their series on making your life more socially conscious. Hubpages offers a comprehensive look at how to change your motor oil, and then how to recycle it afterwards. They offer text instructions, as well as images and video instructions to help you along.

Take advantage of oil recycling companies for businesses

For larger scale motor oil recycling look for oil recycling companies that specialize in helping businesses.

I recommend: Work with companies like Clean Harbors to help educate you on bulk motor oil and filters recycling. Safety-Kleen can also help you with your bulk oil recycling education and training.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Purchase oil recycling equipment from the companies that you obtain your training from. This will help your training be specific to the products and steps that you are used to seeing.

Oil recycling is a process of taking used oil and re-refining it to produce a new, usable product. Almost any type of oil can be recycled including motor oil, petroleum and vegetable-based oils. There are a number of oil recycling methods used in the industry. The type of recycling method used is determined by the quality of the used oil and what impurities will need to be removed. Oil recycling for vehicle motors can also take place inside the engine with sophisticated filter systems.

Action Steps
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Re-refining

Recycled oil goes through a process of re-refining in order to be used again in boilers, kilns and small heating systems. The re-refining process is similar to the process of crude oil refining.

I recommend: The California Integrated Waste Management Board provides facts and statistics about re-refined oil and why it is good to use.

American Petroleum Institute

The American Petroleum Institute is an organization that monitors environmental and safety issues within the oil and natural gas industry. The organization also provides standards for procedures and processes throughout the industry.

I recommend: The American Petroleum Institute provides a webpage to learn more about used oil recycling, where it can be recycled and the process used to create a new product.

Certified collection center

A certified collection center is a place where used oil can be taken to be recycled and made into new products. More than 30,000 collection centers exist in the United States.

I recommend: Castrol USA provides tips on collecting used oil and a way to find the nearest certified collection center.

Used oil

Used oil is defined as any lubricating fluids removed from vehicles, airplanes, ships and any other large machinery that uses an internal combustion engine. Oil can also be categorized as used if, during the refining process, crude oil becomes contaminated.

I recommend: SynLube provides a definition of used oil, why it is hazardous to the environment and common oil recycling processes.

Engine oil by-pass filter

An engine oil by-pass filter is a tool used in heavy machinery and other vehicles to recycle oil right at the source. An engine oil by-pass filter allows oil to be cleaned and recycled back into the system.

I recommend: The N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance provides a detailed explanation of how engine oil by-pass filters work in heavy duty vehicles.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The Environmental Protection Agency provides used oil management standards to regulate the handling of used oil and oil conservation for businesses.

I recommend: The Environmental Protection Agency has more information on used oil, how to recycle it and the EPA management standards at its website.