The Oil Care campaign

The Oil Care Campaign and Sustainable Drainage Systems have been implemented to promote good environmental practices at home and at work. Oil can pollute rivers, lakes and the sea, killing wildlife and removing vital oxygen from the water.

Because of the way oil spreads, even a small quantity can do a lot of damage: just one litre of oil could make a million litres of fresh water undrinkable. The most frequent polluting oil types are diesel, central heating oil, petrol, and waste engine oil. The most common causes of oil pollution are spills, leaks, inadequate facilities and irresponsible disposal.

Our Oil Care Campaign aims to educate people so as to avoid oil pollution incidents and their consequences.

The campaign, which was set up in 1994, aims to minimise the environmental impact of oil and fuels throughout their life cycle, by promoting safe practices for handling, delivery, and storage and proper collection of used oil.

The campaign is gathering pace through the Oil Bank Line and targeted initiatives to educate the public and sectors of industry that handle oil.

By using this freephone number (08708 506 506) or going to www.oilbankline.org.uk members of the public can find their nearest Oil Recycling Bank and dispose of used engine oil. The Oil Bank Line telephone number and website address are printed on many oil products, Fram filters, all Haynes manuals and in the Yellow Pages.

Regulated contractors collect waste oil from Oil Banks, clean it and recycle it as a lower grade of oil.

It should be noted that hydraulic brake fluid and vegetable oils should not be taken to oil banks. Hydraulic oil can be taken to your local car dealer where it will be collected and recycled. Contact your local council for advice on how to dispose of vegetable and other oil types.