As a savvy shopper and responsible vehicle owner, you know the importance of proper maintenance to keep your car running smoothly. Regular oil changes are a key part of that maintenance routine. But what do you do with that used motor oil afterwards? If you‘re like many DIYers, you may be tempted to just toss it in the trash or pour it down the drain. However, improperly disposing of used oil can have severe consequences for the environment.
The good news is that recycling your used motor oil has never been easier, thanks to programs like Advance Auto Parts‘ oil recycling service. In this ultimate guide, we‘ll dive into everything you need to know about recycling motor oil at Advance Auto Parts and why it‘s a crucial step in being an eco-conscious driver.
The Environmental Impact of Used Motor Oil
First, let‘s look at some eye-opening statistics that underscore the importance of recycling used motor oil:
- Over 1.3 billion gallons of used oil is generated annually in the U.S. (equivalent to 200 Olympic-sized swimming pools)
- The used oil from just one oil change can contaminate up to 1 million gallons of fresh water
- 40% of the pollution in America‘s waterways is from used motor oil
- Oil is the largest contaminant in municipal wastewater treatment plants
- Recycling just two gallons of used oil can generate enough electricity to run the average household for almost 24 hours
- If all used oil was properly recycled, it could provide a year‘s supply of oil for over 50 million cars
Sources: American Petroleum Institute, EPA
When you look at numbers like that, it‘s clear that improperly disposing of used motor oil is not just irresponsible, it‘s downright dangerous for the planet. Used oil contains a slew of toxic substances and heavy metals, including:
- Benzene (a known carcinogen)
- Lead
- Zinc
- Cadmium
- Chromium
- Arsenic
When used oil seeps into soil and groundwater, these contaminants can harm plant and animal life, kill fish, destroy habitats, and even make their way into the human food chain. Pouring used oil into storm drains or sewers is illegal because it contaminates public water treatment facilities. And when used oil is burned (either intentionally or in a landfill), it releases toxic air pollutants.
How Oil Becomes Contaminated
To understand why used motor oil is so hazardous, it helps to know a bit about the chemistry and mechanics behind motor oil contamination. As you drive, several things happen to the oil in your engine:
-
Thermal degradation: The high operating temperature of engines (up to 300°F) breaks down and oxidizes the oil
-
Oxidation: Exposure to oxygen forms sludge and sediment in the oil
-
Additive depletion: Detergents, dispersants, and other oil additives get used up over time and miles driven
-
Contamination: Combustion byproducts, metal particles, dirt, and even antifreeze can get mixed into the oil
By the end of the oil change interval, all those factors take a toll, leaving the oil thick, dirty, and full of impurities that are hazardous to the environment if not handled properly. The oil also becomes less effective at lubricating and protecting engine components, which is why regular oil changes are so important.
The Advance Auto Parts Used Oil Recycling Program
So what‘s an eco-conscious driver to do with their used motor oil? The answer is simple: recycle it! And if you have an Advance Auto Parts store near you, the process is incredibly easy. Here‘s how their used oil recycling program works:
-
Drain it: After performing your oil change, drain the used oil into a clean, dry, leak-proof container (like a milk jug or the empty oil bottles). Make sure not to mix it with any other fluids.
-
Seal it: Screw the cap on tightly to avoid spills during transport. If you‘re storing the used oil for a while before recycling, label the container clearly.
-
Recycle it: Take your container(s) of used oil to your nearest Advance Auto Parts store. As of 2024, most of their 4,000+ locations offer free oil recycling, unless prohibited by state law. You don‘t have to be a rewards member or even a customer – simply drop off your used oil at the service counter. They‘ll take up to 5 gallons per person per day.
-
Feel good: Give yourself a pat on the back for preventing pollution and conserving a valuable resource! The used oil you recycled will now be re-refined into new lubricant or processed for use as fuel.
How Advance Stacks Up
Advance Auto Parts is a leader in facilitating customer oil recycling, but how does their program compare to other auto parts retailers? Here‘s a quick overview:
| Retailer | Recycling Offered? | Amount Limit | Fees | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advance Auto Parts | Yes | 5 gal/day | None* | Most* |
| AutoZone | Yes | 5 qts/day | None | Most |
| NAPA | Varies by store | Varies by store | None | Some |
| O‘Reilly | Yes | 10 gal/day | None | Most |
| Pep Boys | Yes | 20 gal/month | None | Most |
*Except where limited by state law
As you can see, Advance Auto Parts has one of the most widely available oil recycling programs with a reasonable daily limit and no fees in most states. However, the other major chains also provide similar recycling services in the majority of their locations.
The Advance Process
So what happens to the used oil after you drop it off? Advance Auto Parts partners with licensed oil recycling companies who collect the used oil from stores and transport it to processing facilities. From there, the oil typically goes one of two routes:
-
Re-refining: The preferred and most environmentally friendly option. Through a multi-step process, the used oil is filtered, distilled, and hydrotreated to remove all contaminants and restore it to a clean, pure base oil that meets the same API standards as virgin crude oil. This recycled base oil is then blended with additives to make new motor oil, transmission fluid, and other lubricants. Re-refining used oil takes up to 85% less energy than refining crude oil.
-
Processing for fuel: When re-refining isn‘t feasible, used oil can still be filtered and processed for use as a fuel oil substitute in industrial burners, boilers, power plants, and asphalt plants. While not as ideal as re-refining, this still keeps used oil out of the environment and displaces the need for non-renewable fuels like coal.
So in both cases, the used oil you recycle at Advance Auto Parts goes on to have a second life as a valuable resource. And the more that people participate in recycling programs, the less virgin crude oil needs to be extracted and refined, conserving fossil fuel reserves.
Other Benefits of Oil Recycling
Aside from the obvious environmental benefits, recycling used oil provides economic advantages as well. The EPA estimates that over 200 million gallons of used oil are recycled annually in the U.S., and the oil recycling industry employs over 10,000 workers in the process of collecting, storing, and re-refining used oil.
By choosing recycled motor oil for your next oil change, you also reap these benefits:
- Recycled and re-refined oil has comparable quality to conventional motor oil (has to meet same API/SAE standards)
- It costs about the same or less than virgin oil
- Supports green businesses and jobs
- Reduces reliance on foreign oil imports
- Diverts waste from landfills and illegal dumping
With advancements in oil recycling technology, re-refined oil is virtually indistinguishable from crude-based oil in terms of performance, yet has numerous environmental advantages.
Tips for Recycling Oil the Right Way
To make sure your used oil is recycled properly and efficiently, follow these tips from the pros at Advance Auto Parts:
- Use a funnel to avoid spills when draining oil into a container
- For long-term storage (over a month), use an opaque plastic container to shield oil from light
- Don‘t mix used oil with water, antifreeze, solvents, or any other chemicals
- Don‘t overfill containers – leave some headroom for expansion
- If you have a larger amount of used oil (like from a boat or RV), check with your local store on their policies for accepting larger quantities
- Puncture and thoroughly drain used oil filters before recycling them
- Recycle other vehicle fluids like antifreeze and transmission fluid separately from oil
Debunking Oil Recycling Myths
There are a number of persistent misconceptions about oil recycling that unfortunately lead some people to improperly dispose of their used oil. Let‘s set the record straight on a few of the most common ones:
Myth: "It‘s okay to pour small amounts of used oil outside as long as you soak it up with kitty litter or sawdust afterwards."
Fact: Any amount of used oil introduced to soil can contaminate groundwater and be harmful to plants and wildlife. Always contain it and recycle it properly.
Myth: "If used oil is clear, it doesn‘t have to be recycled."
Fact: No matter how clean used oil may look, it still contains contaminants that classify it as hazardous waste. Never judge by appearance alone.
Myth: "If it‘s labeled as synthetic blend oil, you can‘t recycle it."
Fact: All synthetic and conventional motor oils can be recycled and re-refined. The recycling process removes all prior additives and impurities.
Myth: "Burning used oil for fuel in a waste oil furnace doesn‘t cause pollution."
Fact: Used oil combustion releases toxic chemicals into the air. While burning it for heat is sometimes allowed with a permit, it should always be filtered first and is far less eco-friendly than re-refining.
The Future of Oil Recycling
Ever since the passage of the Used Oil Management Standards in 1993, oil recycling has become increasingly common. The EPA now estimates that approximately 60-70% of used oil is collected for recovery each year in the U.S., up from only about 10% in the early 1960s.
However, there‘s still a lot of room for improvement, as 30-40% (hundreds of millions of gallons) of used oil is still improperly disposed of each year. The key is educating consumers about convenient recycling options and the importance of utilizing them.
Many states and municipalities have implemented their own used oil recycling programs and requirements to address this issue. For example, in California, it‘s required by law for all stores that sell motor oil to accept used oil for recycling, free of charge.
Looking ahead, there are promising opportunities to further increase oil recycling rates through technological and logistical solutions such as:
- Developing synthetic oil blends that last longer, reducing frequency of oil changes
- Creating bio-based, biodegradable motor oils from renewable plant sources
- Using modern analytics to optimize collection routes and oil pickup schedules
- Deploying mobile oil change services that automatically recycle the used oil
- Improving filtration and distillation methods to increase re-refining efficiency
Whatever the future may hold, it‘s clear that responsible recycling of used motor oil is a critical part of being a good environmental steward. And we as consumers hold the power to make a positive impact with every oil change.
Be Part of the Solution with Advance Auto Parts
As we‘ve learned, recycling your used motor oil is one of the easiest yet most impactful steps you can take to protect the environment and conserve natural resources. And Advance Auto Parts makes it more convenient than ever with their hassle-free used oil recycling program at most store locations nationwide.
Remember, it‘s up to all of us to dispose of hazardous automotive waste the right way to keep it out of our soil, water, and air. So next time you‘re staring down that drain pan full of used oil after a DIY oil change, head on over to your local Advance Auto Parts and put that liquid gold to good re-use!
