FS417<\/p>\n
RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
\n NEW JERSEY AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION<\/p>\n
Recycling Used Motor Oil In New Jersey<\/p>\n
Theodore B. Shelton, PhD.
\n Extension Specialist in Water Resources Management
\n and
\n Michael T. Olohan
\n Public Information Coordinator
\n Navesink River Watershed Project<\/p>\n
The Problem: A Wasted Resource<\/p>\n
According to the United States Department of Energy, nearly two-thirds of all used motor oil generated in the United States comes from “do-it-yourselfers” who change their own oil. If improperly disposed of, these 350 million gallons of oil can do substantial, immediate, and long-term harm to humans and animals, streams, lakes, estuaries, vegetation, and the quality of our air and drinking water.<\/p>\n
In New Jersey, the Association of Petroleum ReRefineries estimates that 19.5 million gallons of used oil are generated yearly. Of that, nine million gallons are generated by do-it-yourselfers. A study by the Service Stations of America found that do-it-yourselfers recycle only 14% of the waste oil they generate. Moreover, 62% of all petroleum-related pollution is estimated to be from used oil products.<\/p>\n
However, recycling of this valuable resource via rerefining into once-again reusable motor oil offers a significant means of reducing pollution, may eventually lower demand for foreign reserves, conserves finite natural resources, and protects the environment.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, due to a lack of rerefiring capacity nationwide, nearly 80% of all used oil collected is reprocessed and burned as a fuel oil substitute and not rerefined. Nonetheless, the reuse of used motor oil is a vital component of any comprehensive recycling program.<\/p>\n
State law requires that all used motor oil be recycled. Used motor oil is the largest single source of oil pollution in our harbors and our waterways.<\/p>\n
What Makes Used Motor Oi<\/p>\n
