Category: Storage and Handling

How to Properly Dispose of Used Engine Oil

Changing our motor oil is important and must be done regularly, but how do we dispose of the used oil in a safe and environmentally friendly manner? Approximately 42 gallons of crude oil are required to produce 0.5 gallons of new oil for lubricants. However, only one gallon of used oil needs to be converted into 0.5 gallons of new oil.

Hence, recycling used oil significantly reduces the number of resources required to produce new oil. There are numerous benefits to recycling used oil, which can help in the fight against declining resources. Let’s dive into this a bit more.

Environmental Impact of Improper Disposal

When motor oil reaches the end of its life, it can become contaminated with harmful pollutants, which can negatively impact the environment if improperly disposed of. Some of these can be toxic to plants, and it only takes the used oil from one oil change to contaminate one million gallons of fresh water!  Therefore, we need to be mindful of the disposal of our oils.

Used motor oil can typically contain metal fillings (from engine wear), chemicals from by-products, and possibly fuel. Improper disposal, especially into waterways, can disrupt the supply of clean drinking water for many people. If this used oil seeps into the soil, it could also contaminate the water table and negatively impact plants and, by extension, humans who may consume these plants at some point.

Laws and Regulations for Disposing of Oil

The EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) provides guidelines in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, specifically CFR part 279, regarding the disposal of used oil. In the UAE, there are strict guidelines for the disposal of used oil; otherwise, individuals may face severe fines and legal action. These used oils should never be poured down drains, onto the ground, or into bodies of water.

Community Recycling Programs

Some communities have a local collection point for used motor oils, which they then take to the larger refineries. This way, a larger volume of oil is collected and recycled by the refineries.

Tips for Safe and Responsible Oil Disposal

Motor oils contain 30% additives; therefore, mixing them with other used oils may not be the best option for those trying to recycle them. Ideally, these oils can be reconditioned (where they are cleaned up) or re-refined (where they are reused as base stock). Collecting your used motor oil in a clean container and taking it to your local recycling facility, where it will be properly disposed of.

Some facilities may burn it to process it for energy recovery, using it as fuel after removing the water and contaminants. One gallon of used oil processed for fuel contains about 140,000 British thermal Units (Btus) of energy. Regardless of the method you choose to dispose of your used motor oil, ensure you do not harm the environment.

Find out more in the full article featured in Precision Lubrication Magazine.

Expired grease?

expired_grease

Are there any signs that my grease has expired?

There are a lot of signs to tell if grease has expired!

Some of the signs include:

  • Separation of the oil from the thickener
  • Change in the consistency of the NLGI grade.

Ideally, we should check the expiration date on the packaging and contact the lubricant manufacturer.

We must note that if the packaging has been removed or opened in some way, the expiration date may not be valid.

The expiration date on the product is the approximate shelf life of the product should the packaging remain intact and if stored in the recommended environment.

If these are compromised then the validity of the expiration date has also been compromised.

Outdoor Storage

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I have no room in the warehouse, can I store the oils outside until I get room?

It is never ideal to store lubricants outside exposed to the elements. However, there may be situations where this cannot be helped.

For instance, transformer oils are very sensitive to light and water.

If there is an option of at least storing one type of oil away from the elements, then this type of oil is at the top of the list.

If it has to be stored outside, then there are some measures that can be taken to ensure it is not compromised.

We can place a tarp over the product to ensure that the rain does not settle on the drums and they remain fairly dry.

They can also be stacked on pallets, so that they are not directly touching the ground. This way, water cannot enter the product.

Additionally, they can be stored such that the bungs are at a 9 or 3 o’clock position. In this position, if water falls on the top of the drum, it cannot accumulate by the bungs and seep into the product.

Once the packaging has been opened, the product can be considered open to contamination and anything that gets into the product will eventually get into the equipment.

Ideally, opened products should be stored in enclosed areas or have dedicated decanting systems.