Originally published May 30/18 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.
I have regular conversations with people about recycling and waste. Recently, someone reported they had seen someone dumping used motor oil out in the bush.
Nothing should be dumped in the bush, but used motor oil is particularly damaging.
Motor oil picks up nasty things like lead, cadmium, arsenic, dioxins, benzene and polycyclic aromatics in engines. Dumping it on the ground or in drains can harm people, plants, animals, fish and other water creatures.
A single litre of used motor oil will contaminate a million litres of ground water. It sits on the surface of water, preventing sunlight and oxygen from getting into the water, affecting fish and water plants. It can kill fish, frogs and other animals that breathe from the water surface.
Burning used oil at low temperatures puts these things in the air that can harm human health.
Antifreeze (new or used) is harmful to people, animals and plants. Recycled antifreeze jugs should not be recycled for food containers so need to be separated from regular recycling.
In Manitoba, the used motor oil collection program began in 1999. The program has been expanded to collect antifreeze and its containers.
There are collection sites at the local landfills.
Used oil can be recycled at 2 plants in Ontario and BC. In our part of the country it is used in high temperature oil furnaces certified and registered to burn used motor oil.
Antifreeze is recycled for reuse.
Oil and antifreeze containers are made into parking lot curbs and fence posts. Oil filters are squished to remove the oil and recycled into rebar for cement construction.
Please be responsible. Tipping fees are not charged for these products.
I have regular conversations with people about recycling and waste. Recently, someone reported they had seen someone dumping used motor oil out in the bush.
Nothing should be dumped in the bush, but used motor oil is particularly damaging.
Motor oil picks up nasty things like lead, cadmium, arsenic, dioxins, benzene and polycyclic aromatics in engines. Dumping it on the ground or in drains can harm people, plants, animals, fish and other water creatures.
A single litre of used motor oil will contaminate a million litres of ground water. It sits on the surface of water, preventing sunlight and oxygen from getting into the water, affecting fish and water plants. It can kill fish, frogs and other animals that breathe from the water surface.
Burning used oil at low temperatures puts these things in the air that can harm human health.
Antifreeze (new or used) is harmful to people, animals and plants. Recycled antifreeze jugs should not be recycled for food containers so need to be separated from regular recycling.
In Manitoba, the used motor oil collection program began in 1999. The program has been expanded to collect antifreeze and its containers.
There are collection sites at the local landfills.
Used oil can be recycled at 2 plants in Ontario and BC. In our part of the country it is used in high temperature oil furnaces certified and registered to burn used motor oil.
Antifreeze is recycled for reuse.
Oil and antifreeze containers are made into parking lot curbs and fence posts. Oil filters are squished to remove the oil and recycled into rebar for cement construction.
Please be responsible. Tipping fees are not charged for these products.
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