This past weekend, the wife and the kids went to grandma's. As the cars didn't need oil changes and the grass had been cut earlier in the week, I decided it was the right time to dispose of my used motor oil.
Being the lazy SOB that I am, I had pretty much saved the oil from every oil change since I moved into my current house in early 2005. At that time, I had my CR-V and was still driving my SAAB 900. The 900 got changes at 5-6k miles with synth as did the V. In November of that year, I lost the 900 to a wreck and got the 9-5. This was, of course, when I became completely paranoid about sludge and the intense bitog time turned me into a stasher. Long story short, 4 years later I had 34 gallons my shop with probably another couple of gallons in my garage that I forgot to get. In that time, I'd also lost probably a gallon on the ground due to storage in incorrect containers that had dissolved and allowed leaks. 20 gallons, though, was stored in a steel barrel.
For transport, I used 5 and 6 gallon gas containers. First, I emptied the leaky or questionable containers into one of the gas cans. I then topped it off and filled three more cans with oil from the barrel. Then I loaded them and the rest of the containers I was using (mostly gallon orange juice jugs) into the grabage bag-lined cargo bay of my CR-V.
First, I tried to call the local recycling and household hazardous waste disposal center. Well, seems that since the city started a recycling program, they can only been seen by appointment only. So, I figured I'd have to do this the old fashioned way, and go to gas stations and/or auto parts stores.
First stop, Advance Auto. I asked the manager how much oil she was willing to accept. At first, she balked when I told her I had 34 gallons. Then she asked what sort of containers I had. When I explained, she was willing to take it all. She even gave me a cart to load it up on. Well, I brought it all in and commenced to pouring. After four gallons, the storage tank started overflowing. There was no gauge on top to indicate how full the tank was. Many apologies and paper towels later, I left with 30 gallons of oil.
From there, I went across the street to Autozone. The manager there said they had a 5 gallon a day limit per customer. So, 5 more gallons down.
Next...Wal-Mart. Although seemingly agitated about the whole deal, the tire and lube express manager unlocked the storage tank and told me I could dump it all in. After I finished, he apologized for his tone and said it was because one of his techs screwed up a wheel while doing a tire change and now he (the manager) was going to have to pay for it.
Anywho, storing good motor oil is bad enough. I can't believe I let myself collect 34 gallons of used oil. I scrubbed out the steel barrel and put it in the recycling bin. I don't want to be tempted to store again.
Being the lazy SOB that I am, I had pretty much saved the oil from every oil change since I moved into my current house in early 2005. At that time, I had my CR-V and was still driving my SAAB 900. The 900 got changes at 5-6k miles with synth as did the V. In November of that year, I lost the 900 to a wreck and got the 9-5. This was, of course, when I became completely paranoid about sludge and the intense bitog time turned me into a stasher. Long story short, 4 years later I had 34 gallons my shop with probably another couple of gallons in my garage that I forgot to get. In that time, I'd also lost probably a gallon on the ground due to storage in incorrect containers that had dissolved and allowed leaks. 20 gallons, though, was stored in a steel barrel.
For transport, I used 5 and 6 gallon gas containers. First, I emptied the leaky or questionable containers into one of the gas cans. I then topped it off and filled three more cans with oil from the barrel. Then I loaded them and the rest of the containers I was using (mostly gallon orange juice jugs) into the grabage bag-lined cargo bay of my CR-V.
First, I tried to call the local recycling and household hazardous waste disposal center. Well, seems that since the city started a recycling program, they can only been seen by appointment only. So, I figured I'd have to do this the old fashioned way, and go to gas stations and/or auto parts stores.
First stop, Advance Auto. I asked the manager how much oil she was willing to accept. At first, she balked when I told her I had 34 gallons. Then she asked what sort of containers I had. When I explained, she was willing to take it all. She even gave me a cart to load it up on. Well, I brought it all in and commenced to pouring. After four gallons, the storage tank started overflowing. There was no gauge on top to indicate how full the tank was. Many apologies and paper towels later, I left with 30 gallons of oil.
From there, I went across the street to Autozone. The manager there said they had a 5 gallon a day limit per customer. So, 5 more gallons down.
Next...Wal-Mart. Although seemingly agitated about the whole deal, the tire and lube express manager unlocked the storage tank and told me I could dump it all in. After I finished, he apologized for his tone and said it was because one of his techs screwed up a wheel while doing a tire change and now he (the manager) was going to have to pay for it.
Anywho, storing good motor oil is bad enough. I can't believe I let myself collect 34 gallons of used oil. I scrubbed out the steel barrel and put it in the recycling bin. I don't want to be tempted to store again.