Are you a wannabe do-it-yourselfer who has been afraid to try to change your own oil? While this task can seem daunting, if done carefully, it doesn't have to be messy or complicated.

This is the third of three simple and eco-friendly steps, so be sure to read the entire series: Changing Your Own Motor Oil  (Wednesday, December 30); Changing and Recycling Your Own Used Oil Filter  (Tuesday, January 5), and Recycling Your Used Oil (Wednesday, January 6).

 After draining the oil from your car's crankcase, pour the oil into a clean, leakproof container with a screw-on top.  Many household containers are suitable, including the original motor oil containers. However, never re-use containers that held household chemicals such as bleach.  Make sure that the container has a secure lid so it cannot spill.  Containers specifically designed for carrying used motor oil also may be purchased at automotive supply stores.
   
If you don't take your used oil to a recycling center immediately, never temporarily store it in any container that once held food, beverages or chemicals.  Regardless of the type of container used for carrying or storing oil, be sure it is clean, clearly labeled "Used Oil," and kept out of the reach of children and pets.

Take the container to the nearest used oil collection center.  If your community doesn't have a collection center, check with your local service station or an automobile maintenance facility such as a lube center, repair shop or car dealership. Also look for the nearest "oil drop."  This is a petroleum industry symbol indicating that used oil is collected for recycling/reuse. You can also search at this link for an oil recycling center using your zipcode. 

Please don't be tempted to dump your oil into the gutter or trashcans: approximately 220 million gallons of used oil are improperly disposed of each year -- and just ONE gallon of used oil can contaminate up to one million gallons of drinking water!