It takes just one gallon of used oil, compared with 42 gallons of crude oil, to produce the same 2.5 quarts of lubricating oil. As for quality, today's re-refined oil products meet or exceed the same stringent performance standards that apply to virgin oil products. These filters contain a high steel content and additional motor oil, both easily recycled. If all of the oil filters manufactured in 1994 had been recycled, an estimated 161,500 tons of steel could have been recovered and 17.8 million gallons of used oil would have been kept out of our fields and waterways. Unfortunately, most used oil filters are not recycled, so the oil they contain is released into the environment.
Most antifreeze contains the poisonous chemical ethylene glycol.
Like motor oil, used antifreeze also collects hazardous contaminants from the engine during use. Antifreeze has a sweet taste which attracts children and pets. It may cause injury or death through ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption. Over 3,000 people were treated for antifreeze poisoning in 1991, and eight died. In the past, disposal of used ethylene glycol has included treating it as a hazardous waste, discharging it into municipal sewer systems, or illegally pouring it into dry wells and storm drains.