Recycle
Your Motor Oil
Used motor oil is a
large source of pollution in our State's waterways. Every year
Rhode Island "do- it-yourselfers" discard an estimated
1.4 million gallons of motor oil.
Much of this oil goes
down storm drains, on the ground or in the trash and then to the
landfill. Used motor oil contains lead and other toxic substances
which can contaminate ground and surface waters. Just one gallon
of oil can foul the taste of 250,000 gallons of drinking water.
Most people don't realize
that motor oil never wears out: it just gets dirty! Recycling
cleans the oil so it can be used again. Nearly 25% of used motor
oil from "do-it-yourselfers" is now being collected
in Rhode Island. With the inception of the oil recycling program,
in 1988, Warwick residents have recycled over 200,000 gallons
of motor oil, making Warwick the largest Municipal generator of
used motor oil in the state. However, this is only a "drop
in the oil pan" compared to the number of gallons discarded.
Recycling
Used Motor Oil Is as Easy as 1-2-3!
- Drain the oil into a suitable
container with a tight fitting cap which can be used over
and over. Drain the oil from the oil filter into the same
container. NEVER mix other liquids with used motor oil.
- Take the oil and oil filter
to the oil recycling igloo at the Department of Public works,
925 Sandy Lane- which is open Monday -- Friday, 8:00 am to
2:30 pm.
- From there, the motor oil and
filters will be recycled at an approved recycling facility.
