How Using Biodiesel Fuel And Recycling Used Motor Oil Can Help Us And Our Environment

Amidst the increasing concern for climate change, global warming, and rising fuel prices, looking for strategies to decrease our reliance to non-renewable fuels is not only wise, but more importantly, a necessity.

Many of us are already accustomed to recycling magazines, soda cans, and plastic containers. In fact, many of us practice it. However, not many of us are familiar that even motor oil recycling is already performed nowadays?

In recent years, the petroleum industry and other groups are promoting motor oil recycling because it has numerous benefits. For starters, it is more economical for those in the petroleum industry to recycle used motor oil than processing raw oil. Motor oil has value even after being drained from an engine and once it is reprocessed it can be used in furnaces for heat or in power plants to generate electricity for residences and commercial spaces. It may also be sent to refineries where they are processed into lubricating base oils and subsequently into engine oils.

Moreover, there is growing public attention towards the utilization of biodiesel fuels nowadays since they're produced from biological substances rather than non-renewable fossil fuels. Biodiesel production requires plant oils such as corn or soybean oil, as well as animal fat which are exposed to various chemical processes to yield esters.

Given that they are not produced from fossil fuels, biodiesel fuel can be replenished and is non-toxic. In addition to that, there is an excess in the production of soybeans in the United States and in other parts of the world, so using these in biodiesel production is practical way of managing the surplus.

Moreover, using biodiesels do not require expensive equipment modifications or new purchases which make transitioning to this alternative fuel source relatively easy and convenient. Also, biodiesel has lubricating effects and therefore could also lengthen the service life of your engines. The main criticism of using biodiesel fuels though is that at present they are more costly than petroleum fuel. Local governments try to encourage motorists to use biofuels by offering tax incentives or subsidies. The petroleum industry is also trying to lower the costs associated with biodiesel production by recycling oils used for cooking instead of obtaining oil from fresh soy beans and pass these savings to their consumers.


With growing environmental concern and rising fuel cost, promoting greener fuel alternatives and strategies like biodiesel fuels and recycling used motor oil is important. Follow this link for additional info on biodiesel production and oil recycling.