Engine oil is essentially an oil, so if we dump it into a water body, it won’t just dissolve. The oil would form a thin layer on the surface. This thin layer would prevent the flora and fauna inside the water body from getting the sunlight and air they need. Moreover, the hydrocarbons present in the oil would deteriorate the pH value of the water body.

So, dumping it into water is not an option.

What if we dispose used engine oil in the soil?

The hydrocarbons come to play here as well! Most alkanes form toxic compounds on exposure with air. In turn, they also change the pH value of the land. This will leave the land infertile and incapable of fostering plants and micro-organisms that need the soil as a birthing place.

Moreover, if you just leave a can of engine oil outside, someone else might consume it. Used engine oil is more dangerous than fresh engine oil and can even be fatal to an unsuspecting person who mistook it for an edible.

So, you can’t be careless with your engine oil. You have to know the proper way to dispose it.

When you take out the engine oil, you should label it correctly so that no one confuses it for something of regular consumption. Also, you should make sure the container used is strong and spill-proof.