Center Feature ... Recycling Used Motor Oil Conserves Energy

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How important is recycling engine oil? Think about this: If the oil from just a single car's oil change is recycled, it can protect 1 million gallons of drinking water.

Additionally, a single gallon of recycled motor oil can generate enough energy to run the average household for nearly 24 hours.

Seeking to educate consumers about the benefits of oil recycling, Castrol North America, in partnership with Earth's 911, an environmental organization, has declared April as Oil Recycling Month. Both organizations believe that if people understand the importance of recycling used motor oil, they will take a few easy steps to ensure that their used oil is recycled.

"Changing the perception that dirty motor oil can't be used again is one of the goals of Oil Recycling Month," said Keith Conlon, senior product manager of Castrol GTX. "Educating people on the benefits of recycled motor oil from cars, lawn mowers, boats and other motorized equipment will save energy and help preserve and protect our natural resources."

Motor oil doesn't wear out; it just gets dirty. Recycling motor oil conserves energy and will keep it from contaminating soil, rivers, lakes and streams. It also can be reprocessed and used in furnaces for heat or in power plants to generate electricity.

Tips for recycling used motor oil include:

• Carefully pour used oil from the oil pan into a clear plastic bottle with a lid that screws on tightly. A plastic milk container is ideal.
• Avoid using bottles that contained bleach, cleaners or automotive fluids such as antifreeze. Do not use cans that once contained paint or gasoline.
• Many auto service centers will accept oil to be recycled, and it also can be taken to your community recycling center.
• Most auto service centers that change your oil recycle it. But if you are not sure yours does, feel free to ask.

For more information on the benefits of oil recycling and the location of an oil recycling center near you, log onto www.castrolusa.com or the Earth's 911 Web site, www.1800CLEANUP.org.