Conclusion:

In summary, used motor oil that is improperly disposed of contaminates our water resources. As a result, this has an extremely negative impact on wildlife, ecosystems, fresh water resources, as well as our economy and society. If we could go back in time to implement it, our policy, which was designed to reduce the amount of oil waste found in water, would have many positive effects. As shown through the data presented, many North American citizens are unaware of oil recycling or are unable/unwilling to take the time to make sure the waste oil they produce is taken care of and recycled properly. This was solidified from our contacts, which were oil change companies who were unsure themselves of where their used oil went, simply stating that they "have a company come pick it up...and then don't worry about it anymore." Making it a law to dispose of oil waste products, as well as the policy being government-funded would mean better access to recycling depots and a sense of public responsibility for this problem. Also, oil leakage from cars due to irregular maintenance is the main cause of water pollution. Therefore, reducing the amount of oil leakage by promoting regular vehicle maintenance would decrease water pollution due to land run-off.

Our policy also had a few negative impacts including the impact on our economy. As in most environmentally friendly changes, putting a greater emphasis on refining oil would affect the economy. It would cost money to set up recycling depots, cause unemployment due to the lessening need of virgin oil, and since our policy is government funded, it would most likely cause taxes to be raised in order for the government to cover these costs. But the negative economic effects are only shot-term, as refining oil is more cost effective than producing virgin oil.

We would also like to note that this policy is only a short-term solution to a long-term problem. This policy focuses on the negative impact motor oil has to our water, and ecosystems. But, oil is a non-renewable resource and even though reusing used motor oil helps us to make this less of a problem, alternative energy sources need to be created. Also, refined oil is often burned, which creates air pollution. Implementing a policy like this in 1903 would greatly affect our water quality and ecosystems today, but focusing on alternative energy sources is essential to solving the long-term problem of sustainable energy and the use of proper, environmentally friendly resources.

Possible Negative Effects of our Policy

1)The effect burning oil will have on air quality levels. Oil can contain zinc, lead, and cadmium which could be put into our atmosphere.

The burning of oil, though effective for the conservation/reuse of fossil fuels, is not the most environmentally friendly way to produce energy. To make our policy most environmentally friendly and effective, we would have to also find a way to decrease the amount of pollution produced by the burning of the refined oil.

2)Money required for enough collection facilities and advertisement for public awareness of this issue and how to recycle oil properly.

In order for recycling of oil waste to increase, not only is the policy necessary, but also public awareness of the gravity of this issue, and how we can work as a society/community to decrease pollution and contamination of our water resources with oil.

Statistics and Data - Effects of Our Policy

Potentially Positive Effects:

1) Properly disposing of motor oil will reduce the amount of motor oil found in landfills and drainage systems, resulting in less pollution from land run-off of oil.

Over two hundred million gallons of used oil are improperly disposed of each year. Most of this oil is poured down drains, thrown out as garbage, or ends up on our roadways which leads to land run-off. It takes only one gallon of motor oil to contaminate one million gallons of drinking water, and the most common reason is because of the lack of awareness of proper oil recycling facilities etc. Households that change their own oil, dubbed do-it-yourselfers (DIYers), account for 19% of all used oil generation. A 1981 EPA survey revealed that 14% of DIYers returned their used oil for reuse or recycling, usually to service stations, and 21% disposed of it with other household wastes. The remaining 65% released it directly into the environment. The Department of Environment estimates an even higher rate of improper disposal by DIYers — 80%. DOE estimates that 348 million gallons of used oil were improperly disposed of in the U. S. in 2004. Aside from DIYers, other generators include automotive sources, transportation facilities and industrial sources, with the latter responsible for nearly 50% of used oil generation. Recycling used oil contributes significantly to conserving coveted oil resources, since the production of only one ton of synthetic oil requires between 150 and 190 tons of crude oil. The U. S. EPA estimates that if improperly disposed used motor oil was properly managed, the U. S. could save thousands of barrels of oil each day.

2)With an increase in oil recycling will come a decrease in the pollution of our aquatic ecosystems, and the endangering of wildlife due to the contamination of the waters, as well as protecting our freshwater resources.

Our world's freshwater supply is limited as it is, as many countries (particularly third-world countries)have little to no access to freshwater, and our contamination of our water resources, continues to diminish the availability of freshwater to many people.

3) Burning the recycled, refined oil will create energy, providing a more sustainable resource, that will reuse our fossil fuels.

Recycling just 2 gallons of used oil can generate enough electricity to run the average household for almost 24 hours and it takes approximately 40% less energy to produce base oils from used oil in a state-of-the-art process plant than it does to produce base oils from crude oil. Also that 52% of the North America's electricity is still generated by burning coal. The rest of our electricity is produced by nuclear plants (20%), burning natural gas (15%), burning oil (3%), hydropower (7%), and other such as burning wood, geothermal, solar, wind, and miscellaneous (2%).

In terms of total North American energy usage, the breakdown by source is given in the following table (taken from a 2001 survey on )

Energy Source Percentage of total
Petroleum 42%
Coal 24%
Natural Gas 20%
Nuclear 8%
Hydro Power 2%
Solar, Wind etc. 2%

4)Proper care and maintenance of vehicles will result in less motor oil leaks onto roads that get into drains and water systems.

5) Expenses reduced for collecting virgin-oil.

Don't Hurt the Wildlife!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7nLvr6YGpo&NR=1

This dawn commercial simulates the effect that oil can have on animals when our waters are polluted with it. Contamination of our lakes, rivers and oceans with oil due to improper waste disposal can be threatening to the lives of many wild animals. Our selfish, lazy acts of not recycling our oil properly often leads to the destruction of their homes,and their health and survival suffer because of our actions. We have to change our ways now, before all our water resources become contaminated, killing animals and endangering our own lives as well.

Proposed Policy

Due to the extensive negative impact motor oil has on our fresh water resources and ecosystems in North America, our group has chosen to go back to 1909, when motor oil was invented, and implement the following policy:

Government Funded Motor Oil Waste Disposal Policy
1)All used motor oil from motorized items (Cars, ATV’s, Boats, Lawn Mowers ect.) must go to a recycling plant, where it will be properly recycled and refined, and therefore can be used for other productions, such as burning refined oil to produce electricity.
2)Cars must get an oil change every 5,000 kilometres. There will be fines charged to cars who do not comply and this will help aid the funding of the burning recycling plants.

Introduction

In the year 1909 motor oil was invented. Since then it has brought about a negative impact on our environment, in particular our fresh water resources, primarily because of improper waste disposal of oil.

Every year around 706 million gallons of waste oil enters the ocean, over half of this as a result of land drainage and waste disposal; for example, from the improper disposal of used motor oil. It's a common belief that the majority of the oil found in water is a result of offshore drilling and ship/tanker leaks. In actuality, these contribute less than 8% of the total oil waste found in our oceans and rivers today. Another 20% of this is comprised of routine maintenance of ships and 13% comes from hydrocarbon particles from onshore air pollution. Finally, natural seepage from the ocean floor also contributes to the oil found in our water.

When oil waste reaches the shoreline it interacts with sediments causing erosion as well as contamination. Waves, water currents, and wind move the oil onto the shore with the surf and tide. Beach sand and gravel saturated with oil may be unable to protect and nurture normal vegetation and populations of the substrate biomass.
Rocks/boulders coated w/sticky residue interfere with recreational uses of the shoreline and can be toxic to coastal wildlife. Other wildlife, other than fish/sea creatures, living in or near the ocean are also poisoned

There are many hazards and toxic effects on wildlife when they are exposed to oil contaminated water. Amoung these effects is the damage to an animal's thermal insulation, reproductive systems and behaviors. Species populations may change, or even disappear due to the contamination of their ecosystems. Mass mortality of fish and other species can also result from contamination or decline in population of food - an interruption of the food chain. This can be harmful to deep ocean/coastal fishing and fisheries.

Recreational activities are also affected, which in turn influences the economy. When oil waste pollutes these areas, it can negatively affect human activity, having a devastating effect on the local economy and society. For example, property values for water-front housing can often decrease, and regional business activity can decline if the community is centered around a body of water (ie. tourist resorts).

Land drainage and waste disposal is the largest contributor of water contamination. Preventing the contamination of our water resources by oil is crucial, as small amounts of oil can have drastic effects. For example, one litre of oil can contaminate a million liters of ground water. Due to a global water shortage, it is vital that we protect our fresh water resources.