IDNR works with Central Management Services to recycle used motor oil

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is going even greener today by joining a state oil recycling program, Acting IDNR Director Sam Flood announced.

Starting this month, IDNR will start dropping off used motor oil from state vehicles and equipment such as cars, trucks, ATVs and lawn mowers to 16 Department of Central Management Services (CMS) garages statewide.  The oil will then be sold back to refining companies who can return it to useable condition.

"By participating in this recycling program, the DNR will be able to eliminate the cost of having to pay an oil recycling company to pick up our used oil from our many maintenance facilities throughout Illinois," said Flood.  "Being able to use the CMS storage sites will allow us to transport used oil off site more quickly, routinely, and safely."

In the past the Department, in order to make picking up used motor oil cost effective, would have to store the oil on site until enough was built up for a company to remove it.  Being able to transport the used oil in quantities less than 55 gallons greatly reduces the risk for accidental release to the environment. 

The cost savings for IDNR would equate to about $120 per barrel of used oil that would normally be picked up and refined off site.

"The state has successfully integrated recycled products into its automotive fleet including re-refined oil for a number of years.  Well over 33,000 gallons of used oil is picked up from state garages annually by recycling experts to be made into reusable re-refined oil.  This is good for the environment and reduces demand for oil.  We're partnering with DNR on oil collection to achieve greater efficiency," said Maureen O'Donnell, Acting Director, Central Management Services. 

IDNR, by itself, does not generate the quantity of used oil needed to make selling it back to companies for recycling worthwhile, but by partnering with CMS, oil that comes from IDNR can be added to existing used state oil volume and sold back to recycling companies that can safely return the oil back to usable condition.