Thread: Old oil disposal

I tried the MEN heater but without success.

I use empty plastic 2 and 3 litre milk containers. Our local council tip is happy to take them provided it is in reasonable sized containers (upto 20 lt IIRC), Something that can be readily moved by hand.

Bad for the environment but it can be used for termite prevention.

My local tip takes it for free. They say up to 20L at a time, but I've taken 60L in one hit and no one gives a dam - all gets emptied into a big single tank and you throw your empty container into the hydrocarbon bin.

I noticed the oil bin at supercheap for the first time last week, must just be a new thing for them.

Our local council (Joondalup) will take 5 litre containers if they are original oil containers... I suppose they mean it must have oil described on them? The trucks pick it up when doing the fortnightly recycling run.
When I asked about getting rid of 20 litre drums it was "No we don't do them, too heavy for the driver to lift".
"What shall I do with it then"......."Put it in the general waste bin" she said.....
At least she didn't tell me to dump it in the bush.
AlanH.

Most tips do have them and will generally take for free as there is money in recycled oil for them, especially if you take down and empty into the tank. Companies like Wren oil in WA buy waste oil and filter it for use as heating oil for use in commercial applications like Spray Dryers etc where it can be used as an alternate source of fuel. Also can be used in cheap oil alternatives and blended.

Originally Posted by EastFreo

Bad for the environment but it can be used for termite prevention.

Only bad if it gets into the soil or waterways.
Wood will absorb heaps of oil to protect from termites. Great for inground supports and stumps etc. Really good for garden sleepers. When we had garden sleepers used to drill holes in and fill and allow to leach into wood. Also painted heavily all sleeper surfaces. Every year used to turn them over and do the underside as well.
If you change your oil regularly and the oil is still clean great for wood fences, beams, spa surrounds etc. Not sure I would use on decking due to traffic.

Used oil is a carcinogen. It's full of polyaromatic rings and metal residues. Use it on garden sleepers and it will end up in your veges. Use it on posts and it will transfer to the soil and to people touching the posts. It also volatilises and if you can smell it, you're breathing it. Just take it to supercheap and don't buy oil from places that don't offer disposal. They reprocess it or burn it for fuel.

It's not even a good termite protection. I've seen termites go straight through oil treated sleeper ends.