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Show Page 6 September 2004 Farm & Ranch Spanish Fork Press Geft rid of used oil from Ihe farm or house By SAM SCHROYER Utah Department of Environmental Quality Everyone generates used oil, whether it is from farm equipment, trucks, cars, motorcycles or other engines. Knowing how to handle it may be more important than anyone thinks because it contains harmful chemicals. Used oil contains heavy metals, arsenic and other chemicals that are harmful harm-ful to humans, animals and plants. There are several good reasons why recycling recy-cling is the best way to get rid of used oil. Used oil is a valuable resource because it can be cleaned and re-refined into new oil, or it can be used as a burner fuel in place of other fossil fuels. Either way, recycling recy-cling used oil reduces our country's need for foreign oil or new domestic resources. Chemicals from used oil will eventually contaminate soil, plants and water if used oil isn't recycled. Spilled or dumped used oil will soak into the ground. Used oil also seeps through soil to pollute groundwater and some used oil will run off the surface to pollute lakes and streams. One misplaced gallon of used oil can affect the taste and quality of up to one million gallons of water. This water pollution will ruin fisheries and it can make swimming unsafe. Preventing water pollution is especially important in Utah with our dry climate cli-mate and low water reserves. Recycling used oil is the law. Because of the issues stated above, it is illegal to deposit used oil by dumping it on the ground, in water, in sewer systems or to place it in your trash. Dumping used oil on the ground includes using it for road oiling, as a weed suppressant, or to coat posts or other items. The Utah Legislature passed this law in 1993. Recycling is the best way to get rid of used oil because it addresses all the problems. Recycling includes burning used oil for heat generation in small, specially designed shop heaters. The state of Utah's Department of Environmental Quality works with private pri-vate businesses and local communities to establish locations where farmers, ranchers and "do-it-yourselfers, " the people who change their own oil, can deposit used oil at no cost. K f.'-'J :h v Country food and hospitality at old time prices! 1460 North 1750 West Springville Off Exit 265 801-489-0808 -ft 2 newly remodeled banquets rooms (Can seat up to 100) ft Keep us in mind for business busi-ness meetings, banquets, family fam-ily reunions, receptions or parties Prime Rib & Seafood Buffet ALL YOU CAN EAT Friday & Saturday Night 5-10 p.m. Only $14" Includes crab legs Flying J Travel Plaza These locations provide a valuable community service by helping collect used oil for recycling. There are over 300 of these used oil collection centers in Utah and some are located in each of Utah's counties. Many used oil collection centers cater to farmers and ranchers. There are over 100 of these used oil collection centers with the capacity to accept up to one 55-gallon drum of used oil per visit from farmers and ranchers. ranch-ers. All 300 used oil collection centers will accept up to five gallons of used oil per drop-off. Tips for handling used oil Do not mix antifreeze, gasoline or any other products or chemicals with used oil; keep used oil in a sealed container to keep rain, leaves and other things out. Farmers often use 55-galion drums because they generate more oil than most households. Make certain the drum wasn't used for other chemicals because these may contaminate used oil. Plastic oil drain pans work well for small amounts. These are available at auto parts stores. Empty plastic milk jugs also work well. They have screw-on lids, can be rinsed before use and don't cost anything. Puncture the dome end of your oil filter with a screwdriver and then drain the filter with the dome end down. Filters retail oil unless punctured because they have an anti-drain valve inside. Take used oil to a collection center often. Storing oil leads to spills or leaks; only bring used oil to a collection center during their normal business hours; have an employee dump the used oil into the collection center's tank. Sign the used oil collection log sheet and indicate how much oil was deposited; take your empty containers with you, so you can reuse them. FOR ALL YOUR WATER NEEDS Mm SMS XAix Oimfer We are only a phone call away Supply Co. 1505 West 130 South, Orem (801 ) 224-6050 1810 WestHwy 40, Roosevelt (435) 725-0019 Toll Free, 1-800-666-5434 Fax, 1-801-224-6058 |