Author: Director of Public Works City of Norwalk

A message from your Public Works Director

The storm drain system is designed to divert rainwater from our streets to local rivers, lakes and creeks. When chemicals or trash are thrown into a storm drain, they’re washed into our local waterways along with rain as urban runoff. Chemicals and trash contaminate lakes and rivers that wildlife, people and families use and enjoy.

City of Norwalk, OH

Street Department
42 Woodlawn Avenue
Phone: (419) 663-6715
Fax: (419) 663-6716
E-mail: streetsuper@neo.rr.com

Used Motor Oil Disposal Information

City of Norwalk, OH

Making Norwalk Stronger Through Public Works

Tel: 419-663-6715

Tel: 419-663-6735

Used Motor Oil

Used oil is exactly what its name implies, any petroleum-based or synthetic that has been used. During normal use, impurities such as dirt, metal scrapings, water or chemicals, can get mixed in with the oil, so that in time, the oil no longer performs well. Eventually, this used oil must be replaced with virgin or re-refined oil to do the job correctly.
If you are one of the many people who change their own motor oil, you too need to know how to properly dispose of the used oil. Did you know that the used oil from one oil change can contaminate 1 million gallons of fresh water - a years' supply for 50 people!
Used motor oil is insoluble, persistent and can contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals.
It’s slow to degrade.
It sticks to everything from beach sand to bird feathers.
It's a major source of oil contamination of waterways and can result in pollution of drinking water sources.

On average, about four million people reuse motor oil as a lubricant for other equipment or take it to a recycling facility.
Recycled used motor oil can be re-refined into new oil, processed into fuel oils and used as raw materials for the petroleum industry.
One gallon of used motor oil provides the same 2.5 quarts of lubricating oil as 42 gallons of crude oil.
Become used motor oil recycler number four million and one!
Begin recycling your used motor oil today.
If all the oil from American do-it-yourself oil changers were recycled, it would be enough motor oil for more than 50 million cars a year. Imagine how much foreign oil that would eliminate.
Used motor oil from cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, farm equipment and lawnmowers can be recycled and re-refined.

It’s a Matter of Law
Improperly disposing of used motor oil can harm out environment. It takes only one gallon of used motor oil to contaminate one million gallons of water.
As a result, Federal, State and City officials have made it illegal to:
Pour used motor oil into a storm drain
Bury used motor oil in the ground
Throw used motor oil in the trash

Where to take it?
You can properly dispose of used motor oil by taking it to one of the many Norwalk-area used motor oil recycling centers. Just remember to put your used motor oil into a clean, plastic container with a tight lid and never mix used motor oil with anything else, such as antifreeze or gasoline.

It’s Your Call
If you observe illegal dumping of materials into the street or storm drain, please let us know. To get more information about the City’s Storm Water Program or to report illegal dumping, call the numbers listed on this pamphlet.