Steps For Oil Recycling and Re-Refining Processes

Used oil recycling is finally starting to get the kind of attention it deserves, considering the fact that benefits of the oil recycling process are absolutely huge, both economically and environmentally. You may not realize it, but much of our rapidly depleting petroleum resources are actually sustainable. As an example, when dirty motor oil is removed from a vehicle during an oil change it can be cleaned and recycled into a product no less pure than the virgin oil processed from crude. In addition, this cleaning/recycling process can take place again and again!

How To Best Recycle Used Oil

Oil can be disposed of in many ways. Basically, any type of disposal that doesn't involve re-purposing is both improper and wasteful - economically nonsensical and environmentally harmful. Even a small amount of used oil going into the ground or into storm drains will eventually poison our fresh-water resources.

There are several viable oil recycling strategies, all of which begin with an awareness of and dedication to the importance of the process. Users of small amounts of oil, such as backyard mechanics doing their own vehicle oil changes, can simply collect the used oil in containers and take it to the nearest waste-recycling station. Businesses using large amounts of oil can rent used oil collection storage tanks to safely hold used oil until a collection company can come and collect their stocks. If amounts of oil are substantial, your business may even be reimbursed!

Specific Recycling Options

Once used oil is collected and ready for recycling there are several methods for re-purposing it. The most beneficial is to remove the contaminants and re-refine the oil to be reused. Once all water has been removed and contaminants distilled out, recycled oil retains the same lubricating properties as virgin motor oil and is subject to the same standards. Other methods of recycling used oil include:

• On-site reconditioning – for factories/businesses using large amounts of oil, they may elect to install an oil filtration system on-site that's capable of removing the impurities in their used oil in order to prolong its life

• Adding to Petroleum Processing – used motor oil can be fed into the front end of the process used to make gasoline or diesel fuel

• Heat/Power Generation – although not sustainable, since one re-purposing cycle depletes the stock, used oil can be filtered and then burned as fuel to create heat or to power various industrial operations

Does Small-Scale Recycling Really Matter?

Statistics show that more than half of the motor oil sold is bought by individuals doing their own oil changes and that about 40 per cent of the improperly disposed of oil comes from these DIY-ers. The used oil from one single vehicle oil change, if thrown down a storm drain, will contaminate more than one-million gallons of drinking water.

At Little Dipper, used oil recycling is our passion and we want you to join the cause too. Contact us for more information or recycling advice. We operate throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan.

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