In the News -
November 2007
Oil great for cars but dangerous to environment
BENTONVILLE, Ark. - The old saying that "oil and water don't mix" has big
time implications for your city and for wildlife in and near cities, says Trish Ouei, Benton County agent with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension
Service.
If you change the motor oil in your car, you might be tempted to pour it on
the ground or down a nearby storm drain, but it’s not the most environmentally
sound way, Ouei says.
"A single quart of motor oil, if disposed of improperly, can contaminate up
to 2 million gallons of drinking water," says Ouei.
That oil may wind up in a stream then lake or river, perhaps the same lake
that your city draws its water supply from or is used by wildlife, she says.
To protect the ecosystem, Ouei urges people to dispose of used oil properly.
"Take used motor oil to your local Auto Zone, O'Reilly Auto Parts or other
car service outlet for recycling or other business that accepts it," she urges.
Ouei says that according to the company’s website, 95 percent of Auto Zone
stores nationally accept auto fluids for recycling. Most O’Reilly Auto Parts
stores also accept the fluids for free, she adds.
Ouei also advises car owners to fix oil leaks on their vehicles immediately
since oil can wash down the driveway into storm drains and then into local
streams.
For more information about recycling oil and disposal options for other
household chemicals, contact your county extension agent or visit
www.uaex.edu and select Natural Resources, then Recycling.
November 30, 20077Media Contact: Lamar James
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2187 or (501) 753-0207
ljames@uaex.edu
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