More than likely, most people consider greening their car by walking or
biking to work, purchasing a hybrid or Smart Car, carpooling, or just
driving less in general. But how many have considered the oil
filter? (Besides being charged 49.99 for an oil change). Luckily, folks
in the
car industry have been brainstorming away, trying to come up with
solutions to an oil problem many of us don't think about often. Why should we use reusable oil filters?
With four hundred and fifty million oil filters manufactured and sold in the United States, two million gallons of waste oil contaminate California landfills alone. Much of this waste oil comes from persons who haven't properly disposed of their oil filters.
Improper handling of old oil includes crushing. Crushing the can is wasteful since there is still oil left in the filter when it arrives at the landfill. Though hot-draining (punching holes in the filter while the oil is above 60 degrees and letting it drain out) has been the proper disposal method of choice, residuals of at least 11 ounces of oil are still left behind. Since it only takes one gallon of oil to contaminate up to one million gallons of fresh water, having a reusable oil filter can help to decrease the potential of contaminating groundwater, soil, and surface water.
What are the benefits?
The benefits are two-fold; environmental and economical.
Benefits for the Environment
- conserves a non-renewable resource--oil
-
eliminates presence of oil filters in landfills
-
provides finer filtration for cleaner oil and less emission
- keeps used oil from contaminating water sources and soil
While the car is still in excellent condition, you must maintain its working capacity with regular oil changes. A reusable oil filter will save you money over a span of 2 years due to:
- fewer oil changes
- eliminates need to purchase new filters
- eliminates disposal costs
Price Range
Prices range from $65 to $130 for cars and small trucks.
Perspective
Case studies have been conducted to test the efficiency of reusable filters and most results were gathered from fleets (large groups of cars or trucks that are used by one company i.e. police department.) However, considering there are fleets of cars driving up and down the highways of our country, these findings are still useful to the pedestrian car driver.
Purchasing Options
According to Go Green Oil Filter President Paul Rogowski, "There is no reasonable explanation why we are still using non-reusable filters. In today's age, with all our technological advances, we are still a throw away society."
GoGreen Oil Filters
Fuel Eco Systems
- all adhesives uses are non-aerosol, with no CFCs
- only biodegradable cleaners are used
- Shipping materials are recycled
- all waste aluminum is recycled
- filters reusable
- reclaims 100% of oil in the filter
In an interview with a local tv station in Austin, TX, Rich Pearlman of Fuel Eco Systems explains the increased practicality and efficiency of the Lifetime Oil Filter as opposed to conventional oil filter.
"The conventional oil filter, the oil actually never goes through the paper fibers; it actually goes along the outside of the fibers and after debris or metal shavings of your engine catches in between the pleats, that's the only way it keeps your oil clean," he said."With a Lifetime oil filter, it's designed for your oil to actually go through this mesh, the stainless steel mesh," he said. "It keeps your oil clean." A Lifetime filter has the
Can help extend mileage between oil changes, thereby reducing the used oil waste.
No more used oil filters in landfills.
Clean oil produces less emissions.
Helps to protect our environment.
Can be used many times before disposal
Resources
For more information, case studies, and fact sheets on reusable filters visit
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