Used Oil Recycling Question

[75blazer]

Does anyone know if I need separate containers for motor oil, transmission fluid and VTM-4 fluid to bring them in for recycling?

[sblvro]

Originally posted by 75blazer
Does anyone know if I need separate containers for motor oil, transmission fluid and VTM-4 fluid to bring them in for recycling?

all the oils are dumped in one bin AFAIK.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by 75blazer
Does anyone know if I need separate containers for motor oil, transmission fluid and VTM-4 fluid to bring them in for recycling?

Trans and VTM are ok mixed. They are both hydraulic fluid.

The oil should be separate.

I am not sure how important this is, but I know brake fluid will ruin oil for recycling.

[75blazer]

Thanks for the fast replies. I made few phone calls and no one seems to know for sure, so I think I'll just play it safe and keep them separate. I suppose $8 for another container is a small price to pay to keep it out of a landfill.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by 75blazer
Thanks for the fast replies. I made few phone calls and no one seems to know for sure, so I think I'll just play it safe and keep them separate. I suppose $8 for another container is a small price to pay to keep it out of a landfill.

$8??

[75blazer]

Originally posted by N_Jay


$8??

It's actually $8.99....

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=97608

[sblvro]

just bring it to pepboys or autozone and they will take it for free.

[ctobio]

I take mine to the town dump. In that bin I can put used oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, or antifreeze. Apparently it all goes in the same tanker to the recycling place, and they do their stuff to it when it gets there.

Just don't put gasoline or diesel. That they don't like.

[mmmmark]

I'm not sure if it is a state law (I live in TX) or federal law, but at least here, EVERY place that does oil changes HAS to accept used oil for recycling.

I take mine to the jiffy lube since it is closest to my house.

I bring in my container, dump it and take it back home to refill again!

[75blazer]

Originally posted by ctobio
I take mine to the town dump. In that bin I can put used oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, or antifreeze. Apparently it all goes in the same tanker to the recycling place, and they do their stuff to it when it gets there.

Just don't put gasoline or diesel. That they don't like.

At $4.19 a gallon you better believe I'll find a use for the gas before I dump it!

There is no shortage of places I can take the oil. My concern is possible contamination if I mix transmission fluid and motor oil. If I do, could it potentially render the entire batch unfit for recycling?

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by 75blazer


At $4.19 a gallon you better believe I'll find a use for the gas before I dump it!

There is no shortage of places I can take the oil. My concern is possible contamination if I mix transmission fluid and motor oil. If I do, could it potentially render the entire batch unfit for recycling?

The more mixed, the more work and cost to recycle.

I guess some places assume the worst and then don't ask people to keep it separate, other places try for a modicum of efficiency and do ask people to keep it separate.

I place I used to take it to in CA (years ago) told me they test his used oil when they pick it up, and if it had brake fluid of other things in it he was charged an additional fee.

[normkol]

The last time I brought trans fluid, they wouldn't take it. This was a parts store, RS Strauss.

They would only take motor oil.

[jarizzo]

It all depends on what they mean by "recycling." Sometimes, recycling means re-refining the product and selling it as a new product. Sometimes recycling means using the oil in an oil-burning furnace. The furnaces will burn pretty much anything, so places that do that don't care much about what's in there as long as there's no water or antifreeze. If it's going to be re-refined, they're more selective about what gets mixed with what. I take mine to a local mechanic shop that burns the used oil. They don't look at it or smell it or anything. Into the fuel tank it goes and they heat the building almost for free in the winter. With rising energy prices, this may become more common practice. Since I usually have transmission fluid, gear oil, power steering fluid, brake fluid, engine oil, and stale 2-cycle gas all mixed together, it's much easier to find a place that just burns it.

John

[75blazer]

Originally posted by jarizzo
It all depends on what they mean by "recycling." Sometimes, recycling means re-refining the product and selling it as a new product. Sometimes recycling means using the oil in an oil-burning furnace. The furnaces will burn pretty much anything, so places that do that don't care much about what's in there as long as there's no water or antifreeze. If it's going to be re-refined, they're more selective about what gets mixed with what. I take mine to a local mechanic shop that burns the used oil. They don't look at it or smell it or anything. Into the fuel tank it goes and they heat the building almost for free in the winter. With rising energy prices, this may become more common practice. Since I usually have transmission fluid, gear oil, power steering fluid, brake fluid, engine oil, and stale 2-cycle gas all mixed together, it's much easier to find a place that just burns it.

John

I see you're in Chicago, I am too. Where is this place? I'd be happy to help someone get free heat. I've heard that the oil burners you're talking about actually burn quite clean too.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by 75blazer


I see you're in Chicago, I am too. Where is this place? I'd be happy to help someone get free heat. I've heard that the oil burners you're talking about actually burn quite clean too.

There are laws about burning off-specification (normally untested) oil that is not from On-Site in small heaters.

Remember, everything in that oil ends up in the air. (Lets save some energy and put some heavy metals in the air. Good choice)