Several local businesses will collect used Antifreeze, Motor Oil, and Oil Filters to encourage proper disposal or recycling of these waste materials. The attached link is a map to collection centers within Calhoun County that will accept automotive fluids from residential households.
Automotive Fluid Collection Centers
Automotive oils, fluids, and solvents contain toxic substances that can cause adverse threats to human health, safety, and the environment. An estimated 11 million gallons of used oil are improperly disposed of in Michigan each year. This includes oil that is dumped down sewers, on the ground, and with the normal household trash. Improper disposal of automotive fluids will potentially expose these toxic wastes to our fresh water resources, into our food chains, and affect our everyday environment.
If automotive wastes are properly used, stored, and disposed of, it will reduce the impact that these wastes pose in our communities and to our environment.
Oil is commonly recycled through re-refining processes that remove the impurities such as lead and any additives. Used oil is more efficient to re-refine than the original refining of crude oil.
Used oil can be collected and re-refined for reuses in oil lubrication products (such as motor and hydraulic oils) and as fuel. Sometimes used oil can be reused without processing it for heating purposes in oil burners.
Antifreeze is a hazardous solvent that can be recovered by purifying processes that remove contaminants such as lead, iron, and other heavy metals. Clean antifreeze can then be mixed with conditioners to make it as potent and effective as the original solvent.
Less hazardous antifreeze is commonly made using propylene glycol (in place of ethylene glycol) in phosphate free formulas. Less hazardous antifreezes pose fewer risks to human health and the environment when used, stored, and disposed of than conventional antifreezes. Also, less hazardous antifreeze can often be recycled with conventional antifreeze, but check with your local collector.
Oil filters are made from high quality steel that is capable of being recovered and recycled into new steel products. Oil filters require processing to remove the oil residue. This is commonly done by hot draining and then shredding the oil filter before it is sent to steel processing companies.
Oil filters can cause problems for the home do-it yourself person and the collector if filters are not drained properly. To prepare filters for recycling please follow these three steps:
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Last modified December 16, 2003