During a long winter, you might find yourself frequently using a snowblower to remove snow from your driveway and the sidewalk. Changing your snowblower oil regularly is essential to ensuring your machine runs smoothly, but how do you dispose of snowblower oil?
You can dispose your used snowblower oil at:
- Gas stations
- Recycling centers
- Give it to a commercial or private property who uses the oil for heating
While there are several options for getting rid of snowblower oil, there are important items you should know about each of these methods to ensure you dispose of the oil safely and do not break any laws.
You will also want to see our tutorial for how to clean a snowblower carburetor, as well.
How To Safely Transport Snowblower Oil
One crucial factor in disposing of snowblower oil is transporting your used product safely.
First, you need to make sure the oil is cooled down, so that you do not burn yourself when draining oil from the engine. Snowblower oil can become incredibly hot and will melt through a storage device if it is transferred to a container straight after use.
To be on the safe side, make sure your snowblower has been turned off for at least thirty minutes before removing the oil from the engine.
Once your used snowblower oil has cooled, transfer it into an empty container or jug. The best way to move the oil is by using a funnel so you do not spill any on the ground. Not only is spilling the oil hazardous, it is also very hard to clean (I speak from experience).
Be sure that the container you transport the oil in has a sealable lid to prevent leaks and potential damage to the interior of your vehicle. If you are storing the snowblower oil to dispose of it later, make sure to keep it out of direct sunlight and away from children and pets.
Recycling Your Snowblower Oil at Gas Stations
Snowblower oil is very similar to motor engine oil used in cars, except snowblower lubricant tends to keep its fluidity at lower temperatures. As a result, many of the same laws and regulations on regular motor oil also apply to snowblower oil.
In many U.S. states, it is illegal is dispose of engine oil by throwing it in the trash because oil can contaminate water supplies and cause significant damage to irrigation systems.
An eco-friendly alternative is to recycle your used oil at a nearby gas station. Many gas stations across the country will take your used oil. However, they may charge a fee for this service. I recommend calling ahead to see if it is a service offer and how much they charge.
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- How to Fix a Flat Tire on a Snowblower
Heating Homes and Commercial Properties With Used Oil
Many repair shops and garages will have a use for your old snowblower oil and will likely take it off your hands for free. Some businesses are able to use the snowblower oil as free fuel.
Some households also use oil-based heating systems in their homes, especially in rural areas. Consider asking your neighbors or post on a local Facebook group to see if anybody has a use for your old oil.
If you are planning on disposing of the snowblower oil in this way, it is best to saving up a lot of it (at least a couple of gallons’ worth) before offering it to local businesses.
Local Recycling Centers
Consider taking your used snowblower oil to a local recycling center. These locations often have large containers for you to pour your oil into. These centers are often run by the local governments who can safely recycle the oil.
Check with you local waste collection services and county government, too. There may be community collection drives once or twice a year for hard-to-dispose-of items.
Related Post: Where to Donate Your Used Snowblower
Check on Facebook
If you live in an area where snowblowers are commonly used in the winter, there will be plenty of other people who need to get rid of their used snowblower oil, too. Local Facebook groups are often a wealth of information as to where you can safely dispose of your used oil in the area.
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