Every consumer should ponder the amount of solid waste generated by driving. Consider just one car component: the tire. The U.S. generates 290 million scrap tires per year, according to the EPA. Fortunately, the vast majority of those are recycled or reused in some capacity. But 27 million of those, 9.3 percent, do go to landfills.
To put a dent in the pounds and gallons of auto-related waste, all it takes is shrewd recycling. Tire retailers and local recycling centers will usually take old or unwanted tires.
Engine fluids are just as hazardous to the environment as tires. Improperly disposed of motor oil from one oil change can contaminate 1 million gallons of fresh water, a year’s supply for 50 people, according to the EPA.
If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, deliver your drained oil to a local recycler. Most quick-oil-change places and some auto-parts stores sell the used oil they collect so your contribution fattens their bottom line. You can also contact local recycling centers or the garbage collector.
Used oil filters should be handled as hazardous waste and not simply dispatched with the household trash. Auto parts stores, repair shops and oil-change outlets may accept used oil filters. Here’s a website that lists locations by zip code that accept used motor oil and filters: http://www.earth911.org/master.asp?s=ls&serviceid=1
Batteries should also be disposed of with care. The lead in them has value and the chemicals in them are toxic. Try depositing your discards at auto-parts stores or any high-volume battery shop. They’re usually tapped into the recycling stream because it makes economic — not to mention environmental — sense to their business.
Used antifreeze is a serious threat to pets, so it should not be left standing in open containers. Consult your local landfill or garbage collector for recommendations on how to properly recycle this material.
