Used Oil is a Valuable Resource

Used oil can be re-refined as a lubricating oil, used as a clean fuel and reprocessed to create many petroleum-based products. Recycling it saves this non-renewable resource for future use. Recycled, it’s great.

Improperly Disposed of, it’s Harmful

America’s worst oil spill isn’t noted much in the news because it is spread all over the U.S. The EPA estimates that 200 million gallons of used oil are dumped on the ground, tossed in the trash (ending up in land fills), and poured down storm sewers and drains every year.

Just one gallon of used oil, the amount from a single small auto engine, has the potential to contaminate up to one million gallons of fresh water – a year’s supply for 50 people.

A single gallon will create an eight-acre oil slick. It will poison fish and reduce the oxygen produced by aquatic plants. It’s bad!

Improper Disposal is Illegal

The 1993 Utah Legislature enacted the “Used Oil Management Act,” mandating new standards for the collection, processing and recycling or reusing of used oil. The act corresponds with the standards promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Utah Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste developed, and is responsible for implementing the standards for Management of Used Oil, R315-15, copies may be obtained from the Division. It is illegal for anyone to place, discard or otherwise dispose of used oil in a landfill, in sewers, draining systems, septic tanks, surface or ground water, or on the ground.

A single violation of this new used oil disposal law can result in a fine of up to $10,000.

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If you change your own motor oil, you can recycle it at eight collection centers throughout Summit County at no cost to you.

1. Place used oil in a clean, leakproof, reusable container with a tight-fitting cap. Do not use containers previously used for gasoline, antifreeze, paint, thinners, solvents or bleach.
2. Additional oil can be recovered by draining used oil filters. Thoroughly drained filters can be disposed of in household trash.
3. Don’t mix used oil with water, gasoline, antifreeze, solvents or any other substances. Remember, used oil only! If it’s not, it can’t be recycled, it’s dangerous, and its illegal to put it into the Utah Used Oil Recycling System.

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Burt Brothers Tires
2734 West Rasmussen Road
435-649-1142

Burt Brothers Tires
6343 North Pace Frontage Road
435-940-9154

Mercer Automotive
1155 Iron Horse Drive
435-649-2886

Kamas Locations

Kamas Automotive
230 North Main
435-783-6550

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Marion Locations

Weller Recreation
2972 North 900 East
435-783-4718

Wanship Locations

Three Mile Landfill
Three Mile Canyon
435-336-3970

Coalville Locations

Moore’s Chevron
5th North Main
435-336-2140

Henefer Locations

Henefer Landfill
East Henefer Road
435-336-3970

Bob Swensen
Environmental Director
85 North 50 East
Coalville, Utah 84017
Phone: 435-336-3227
Fax: 435-336-3286
bswensen@utah.gov

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