I was recently emptying my lawnmower of oil and wondering how to dispose of it - I figured it wasn’t a good idea to throw it down the stormwater drain! It was surprising to learn how much water 1 litre of oil could contaminate - apparently 1 million litres of water?! But also surprising how hard it was to find somewhere to take it. I tried car auto places and then the dump, which is where I took it - and put it alongside the tins of paint there. Because you have to pay to drop stuff at the dump I think so many people must just tip paint and oil and whatever else down the drain :( I wish there was a simple and cheap solution.
Interesting dispersal rate fact. Thank you. Here in California it’s illegal to dump used engine oil into the street and stormwater system and illegal to dig a hole and bury it in your backyard. The state has set up a recycling system. Auto parts stores and repair garages that sell oil must take back for recycling used oil at no charge. Some government run locations pay the public for recycling used oil (5 gallon limit per drop off). Same goes for used oil filters. The cost of the program is covered by a small add on fee charged each time new oil and filters are bought or changed by your auto mechanic.
How interesting that it’s illegal and good to hear how things run over in California. I think we need something similar in Wellington to encourage recycling :)
Yes, it can be really hard to find safe disposal options for things like oil. I really think the answer is to make those selling it take responsibility. Of course they will pass on the cost to us, but we are paying the cost now in various ways for less ideal solutions.
Alpha Lo’s Substack Climate Water Project is excellent reading for the small water cycle, hydrating soil, replenishing groundwater, restoring rain in drought prone areas, lessen flooding, and slow water.
So true - water does always win. It's going to flow where it wants to flow and we can channel and bury it be it's still there. A topic I'm planning to look at further.
I was recently emptying my lawnmower of oil and wondering how to dispose of it - I figured it wasn’t a good idea to throw it down the stormwater drain! It was surprising to learn how much water 1 litre of oil could contaminate - apparently 1 million litres of water?! But also surprising how hard it was to find somewhere to take it. I tried car auto places and then the dump, which is where I took it - and put it alongside the tins of paint there. Because you have to pay to drop stuff at the dump I think so many people must just tip paint and oil and whatever else down the drain :( I wish there was a simple and cheap solution.
Interesting dispersal rate fact. Thank you. Here in California it’s illegal to dump used engine oil into the street and stormwater system and illegal to dig a hole and bury it in your backyard. The state has set up a recycling system. Auto parts stores and repair garages that sell oil must take back for recycling used oil at no charge. Some government run locations pay the public for recycling used oil (5 gallon limit per drop off). Same goes for used oil filters. The cost of the program is covered by a small add on fee charged each time new oil and filters are bought or changed by your auto mechanic.
How interesting that it’s illegal and good to hear how things run over in California. I think we need something similar in Wellington to encourage recycling :)
Yes, it can be really hard to find safe disposal options for things like oil. I really think the answer is to make those selling it take responsibility. Of course they will pass on the cost to us, but we are paying the cost now in various ways for less ideal solutions.
So interesting and engaging thank you. You write in such an engaging and readable fashion. Very useful!
I'm really glad you enjoyed it, thank you so much.
Thank you for your work, Melanie.
Excellent article on so many levels.
I'm glad you liked it. I'll have more from Stu and also more on the Waitohi to come.
Thank you Melanie. Excellent article.
Alpha Lo’s Substack Climate Water Project is excellent reading for the small water cycle, hydrating soil, replenishing groundwater, restoring rain in drought prone areas, lessen flooding, and slow water.
Lo's Substack is epic. A few months back, he posted an hour long interview with Erica Gies on her book Water Always Wins.
It was very good. I’ve been meaning to get her book.
The book is worth reading. Mine is heavily underlined.
So true - water does always win. It's going to flow where it wants to flow and we can channel and bury it be it's still there. A topic I'm planning to look at further.
I'm so glad you liked it and thanks for the recommendation - looks fascinating.