Survey finds 2.3 mm Americans dispose of motor oil improperly

One out of 20 people who change their own motor oil -- or 2.3 mm people -- use disposal methods that could harm the environment, according to a survey by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). These people who use improper disposal methods said they pour the motor oil -- several quarts at a time -- down a drain or on the ground or place it in their garbage.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that just one gallon of used oil has the potential of contaminating up to 1 mm gallons of drinking water, meaning improper disposal methods could have serious environmental impacts.

Three-fifths of those using improper disposal methods said they had never heard of recycling used motor oil or there was no oil-recycling centre in their town. The remaining 40 % said they did not know where their recycling centre was located or the location of the recycling centre was not convenient. About 43 mm US residents said they change their own oil.
The majority -- 35 mm -- said they dispose of their used motor oil by taking it to a recycling centre or a gas or service station.

EPA estimates that if improperly disposed oil were properly managed the United States could save thousands of bpd of oil. Used oil that is properly handled can be re-refined into lubricants, processed into fuel oils and used as raw materials for the refining and petrochemical industries.