Ever thought about what happens to the waste oil after your car is serviced? Do you give any thought to where the oil filter goes, or what might happen to waste vegetable oils after a restaurant or fast-food chain no longer requires it?
We’re busy here at Pure Waste Clean Solutions, collecting many different types of waste oils and waste oil filters from numerous clients in a variety of industries. Sadly, for all of the waste oil we collect and all the good this does, you can guarantee there will be plenty of businesses that do not dispose of their hazardous waste in the right way, which has a detrimental impact on the environment.
If only they stopped for a minute to think about the consequences of their actions, this could be a different story. There are genuine alternatives to dumping waste oil, and not disposing of this waste in a responsible manner can lead to the following implications.
Destruction of Ecosystems
Dumping waste down drains, sewers or directly into ponds and rivers has an immediate impact on wildlife and the environment. Ducks, swans and other waterfowl can be seriously injured if they come into contact with oil, especially if their feathers are contaminated by the substance. Once oil covers a bird’s feathers they lose the capability to insulate themselves and this can result in them freezing, quite often to death. Damage to internal organs is also common where wildlife has ingested oil. This can affect fish, frogs and any type of species that comes into contact with oil that has been dumped in ponds and other stretches of water.
Damage to Drains
Oil is quite often dumped directly into outside drains and this has a negative impact on sewer and drainage systems. Take cooking oil for example. Once this congeals, and starts to thicken, it can form a waxy life substance which clogs and blocks drains resulting in them overflowing. Not only is this disruptive for other people, it can be costly to repair, especially where pipes need to be unblocked by professional drainage companies. Unfortunately not every business owner thinks of this when they are dumping waste oil from their food outlet.
Soil Pollution
Used oil contains a cocktail of hazardous materials which could be damaging to humans, plants and animals. Waste oil dumped directly into the soil is made up of all types of contaminants including benzene, lead, chromium, arsenic and dioxins. All of these are harmful and could lead to negative health effects so under no circumstances should waste oil be dumped on landfill, waste ground or any stretch of land.
Recycle Waste Oil Instead
It seems madness that people take the lazy approach to getting rid of waste oil when there is such a simple solution that is much better for the environment. Have it collected instead by a licensed hazardous waste carrier, and let them take it away ready for it to be recycled and made into clean oil. This is the best solution for everybody and prevents damage to the environment and our ecosystem.
Here at Pure Clean Waste Solutions, we provide waste oil collections from our base in Stockport and provide a comprehensive recycling or hazardous waste disposal, with a full waste audit trail.
Please contact us today for more information or call to arrange a waste oil collection on 0161 430 1111.
