Reducing Motor Oil And Salt Pollution: Tips For Cleaner Environment

Motor oil and salt pollution are two significant environmental issues that require attention and action. Motor oil pollution, caused by incorrect disposal and leaks, contributes to the contamination of waterways and drinking water sources. Salt pollution, on the other hand, affects lakes, rivers, and groundwater, posing risks to aquatic life and drinking water quality. To reduce motor oil pollution, individuals can practice proper disposal methods, such as recycling used motor oil, maintaining vehicles to prevent leaks, and using commercial car washes. Additionally, selecting the right motor oil can help minimize harmful emissions. In the case of salt pollution, efficient smart salting strategies can be employed, including shovelling snow and ice manually before applying salt, using less salt, and adopting alternative deicing methods. Addressing these issues is crucial for protecting the environment, human health, and natural resources.

Use less salt for de-icing

Using less salt for de-icing is an effective way to reduce salt pollution. Salt is a common de-icer, but it can have negative impacts on the environment, including harming plants, contaminating water sources, and corroding metal structures. Here are some ways to reduce salt use for de-icing:

• Clear the snow first: Before applying any de-icing product, remove as much snow and ice as possible. The more snow and ice present, the more de-icing compound is needed. By clearing the snow first, you can use less salt.
• Target specific areas: Instead of scattering salt across your entire driveway or walkway, focus on putting salt only in the spots where you need it most. For example, sprinkle it near the door and along the entryway to your house.
• Use a shovel with a sharp aluminium edge: A shovel with a sharp aluminium edge strip on the end of the scoop is more effective at removing ice from your driveway or walkway, reducing the amount of salt needed.
• Landscape carefully: When landscaping, avoid planting salt-susceptible plants along your driveway or near sidewalks. This will help minimise the impact of salt use on your plants.
• Irrigate in spring: If you have had snow/salt buildup during winter, irrigate the affected areas in spring to lessen the effects on the root zone of plants. Pay special attention to landscape beds that may have been contaminated, and flush them with fresh water as soon as possible.
• Protect foliage: If salt comes into contact with your plants, hose off the foliage with clean water as soon as possible to reduce the risk of damage.
• Use barriers: Use barriers, gutters, and hardscaping to channel de-icing materials away from your garden and plants, minimising their exposure to salt.
• Erect screens: If vegetation is located in areas where heavy salt spray occurs, erect barriers or screens to protect plants (especially evergreens) during the winter months.
• Use alternatives: There are several alternatives to salt for de-icing that are less harmful to the environment. These include sand, kitty litter, vinegar, sugar beet juice, alfalfa meal, coffee grounds, and calcium chloride.

Improve water management

Water management in the oil and gas industry is a critical aspect of reducing pollution, particularly in the context of motor oil and salt pollution. Here are some measures that can be implemented to improve water management and mitigate pollution:

• Salt Water Disposal Wells: Saltwater disposal is an important aspect of water management in the oil and gas industry. The injected water that comes up along with the production fluid, known as "flowback water" or "oil well water," needs to be properly managed. Saltwater disposal wells are used to inject saltwater from oil and gas wells back into the formation. This process, also referred to as SWD, involves transporting the saltwater to unloading facilities, where it is pumped into tanks and separated from any remaining oil. The oil is sold, while the saltwater is injected back into the formation.
• Use of Recycled Water: With the large volumes of water required for drilling and fracturing wells, companies are increasingly adopting the use of recycled water from previously drilled wells. This process involves treating and processing the water in storage ponds before sending it back to the well pad for reuse in drilling and completion processes.
• Water Treatment and Reuse: Oil and gas producers have two options for managing produced water: disposal or treatment for reuse. By treating and reusing water, companies can reduce their environmental impact. On-site water treatment facilities can separate oil, gas, and water, allowing for the recycling of water and the proper disposal of oil and gas.
• Implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs): Many oil and gas companies are adopting BMPs as part of their pollution prevention programs. BMPs can help cut air emissions, reduce water use, control erosion, and minimize hazardous waste generation. For instance, using enclosed tanks and central or on-site water treatment facilities can reduce fugitive air emissions.
• Leak Prevention and Maintenance: Regular maintenance and leak detection programs are crucial for reducing pollution. This includes tightening bolts on engines, replacing worn hydraulic lines and fittings, and utilizing leak detection technologies such as infrared cameras.
• Water Conservation in Drilling: Drilling processes can be optimized to reduce water usage. For example, using directional drilling to drill multiple wells from a single pad eliminates the need for separate well roads and pads, conserving water and minimizing habitat disruption.
• Stormwater Management: Implementing stormwater management practices can help reduce motor oil pollution in waterways. This includes using permeable pavement, rain barrels, and vegetative buffers to filter contaminants and reduce runoff into storm sewers.

Dispose of motor oil properly

Motor oil is highly toxic to the environment and can have detrimental effects on human health if not disposed of properly. Used motor oil contains gasoline or diesel, additives, nitrogen and sulphur compounds, a broad range of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, and metals that arise from normal engine wear. It is also corrosive to typical engine bearings and can cause sludge to build up within the engine.

The improper disposal of motor oil can contaminate bodies of water, such as lakes, oceans, and rivers, and harm or kill the animals and plants that live there. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "used oil from one oil change can contaminate one million gallons of fresh water—a year's supply for 50 people!"

It is illegal to dispose of used motor oil incorrectly and can result in fines, jail time, or responsibility for any clean-up costs. Therefore, it is important to dispose of and recycle motor oil responsibly. Here are some steps to properly dispose of motor oil:

• Contain All Oil: Lay down a tarp or an absorbent sheet to catch any spills. Then, position a container, preferably a drip oil pan with a spout, underneath the engine's drainage point to catch the oil as it drains.
• Don't Forget the Oil Filter: Puncture a small hole in the oil filter and let it drain into the drip pan along with the rest of the oil. Then, seal the filter in a plastic bag, as it may still contain many ounces of residual oil.
• Move to a Leak-Proof Container: Transfer the oil to a transportation-safe container, preferably the original container the oil came in or one made of polyethylene. Ensure that the container is tightly sealed. Do not mix the used oil with other fluids, including water, as it will become unrecyclable.
• Store Used Motor Oil: Keep the sealed container in a place that is dry, cool, and undisturbed until you can take it to a recycling facility or drop-off location.
• Where to Take Your Used Motor Oil: Many retailers that sell motor oil, including auto parts stores like AutoZone, Advanced Auto, and O'Reilly Auto, will accept your used motor oil. Some service stations with recycling programs may also take your used motor oil if it is clean. You can also use Earth911's iRecycleOil feature to find a drop-off location near you.

Choose the right motor oil

Motor oil is essential for keeping your engine cool, clean, and corrosion-free. To choose the right motor oil for your vehicle, there are a few key factors to consider: oil additives, viscosity ratings, and your vehicle's specific needs.

Oil Additives

Oil additives are blended into the oil by refiners and can account for up to 25% of the oil's cost. These additives help keep your engine cool, clean, and corrosion-free.

Viscosity Ratings

Viscosity refers to the oil's ability to flow and is identified by two numbers, for example, 10W-40. The first number (before the 'W', which stands for winter) indicates how the oil flows at low temperatures, and the second number indicates how it flows at high temperatures. The lower the first number, the thinner the oil and the more suitable it is for cold weather.

Your Vehicle's Needs

When choosing the right motor oil for your vehicle, consider the following:

• Owner's Manual: Check your owner's manual for the recommended oil viscosity and type. Using a different oil may void your warranty.
• Climate: If you live in a very cold or hot climate, or an area with sharp temperature changes, you'll need a motor oil that can handle a wide range of temperatures.
• Age of Vehicle: Older vehicles may have built up sludge if they've been using single-weight oil, which often doesn't contain detergent. Switching to multi-viscosity oil can help clean this out.
• Engine Wear: If your vehicle has high mileage and worn engine parts, single-weight oil may not be thick enough to lubricate the wider spaces between engine parts. Heavier single-weight oil or multi-weight oil may be more suitable.

By considering these factors, you can choose the right motor oil to keep your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently.

Reduce salt pollution with legislation

Salt pollution is a growing concern, especially in areas with heavy snowfall, as excessive amounts of deicer are used on roads, driveways, and parking lots. This has led to increased salt levels in water bodies, posing risks to aquatic life and drinking water sources. One teaspoon of salt is enough to permanently pollute five gallons of water, and the salt does not degrade over time. As a result, there is a need for legislation to reduce salt pollution and protect the environment.

Several states in the US, including New Hampshire, Illinois, Colorado, and Minnesota, have recognized the issue and are taking legislative action to address it. These states have implemented or are in the process of creating laws that promote the reduction of road salt use while also protecting property managers and snow contractors from liability in slip and fall lawsuits. This multi-part approach includes:

• Statewide voluntary "smart salt" training: Providing better training for private and public salt applicators can lead to a 30-70% reduction in salt application without compromising public safety.
• Commercial applicator certification fees: Changing state laws to allow the charging of fees for the training and certification of commercial applicators, who will benefit from liability protection.
• Liability protection: Offering liability protection for certified "smart salt" contractors who properly apply de-icing chemicals, reducing their risk of "slip and fall" lawsuits.

This approach has already proven successful in other states, reducing business risk, minimizing salt pollution, and improving public safety. It also makes the cost of certification a worthwhile investment for contractors.

By implementing similar legislation and providing training and incentives for snow contractors to reduce their salt usage, other states can also effectively combat salt pollution and protect their water sources and aquatic ecosystems.

Frequently asked questions