Lubricants are substances that are used to reduce the friction between two moving surfaces. Often a liquid, lubricants can pose environmental hazards if they are not properly disposed.
There are four main types of lubricants:
Within these categories, lubricants can be classified according to their origin:
Today, most lubricants are made from mineral oils. Of course, there are also synthetic lubricants, such as silicones. Synthetic lubricants are most often used in high-heat situations.
Lubricants have a number of uses. While they are used in manufacturing and industrial processes, they are also used in such everyday activities as cooking, cleaning and more.
Lubricants can be used to:
Though lubricants are valuable, they can pose a hazard to the environment if they are not properly disposed. In fact, experts estimate that approximately 40 percent of all lubricants are released into the environment after they are used.
Fortunately, however, most countries strictly regulate the disposal of lubricants into landfills and water supplies. To comply with these regulations, companies spend millions of dollars each year.
The burning of lubricants is also regulated, as burning lubricants produces both air pollution and ash that contains toxic materials. To prevent excess pollution, lubricants can be burned only in specialized facilities that remove airborne pollutants. These facilities also must dispose of the resulting ash in landfills that have permits to handle toxic ash.
Many restaurants use grease to cook food items. In order to protect the environment, these greases must be properly disposed. Grease traps collect grease, fat, oil and other debris and prevent each from entering a city's sewer system. If grease enters a sewage system, it can cause blockages and overflows.
Recently, some restaurants have started using the Grease to Gas program, which turns used restaurant grease into fuel.
Although companies must follow rules governing lubricant disposal, many people don't practice such strict guidelines when disposing of lubricants. Thus, the majority of the lubricants that find their way into the environment comes from the general public.
People who pour used lubricants onto the ground or down drains, as well as people who improperly place them in landfills, are causing environmental damage. Environmental issues associated with lubricants also result from runoff from roads, accidental spills, pipe leaks, and man-made and natural disasters.
Lubricants in the environment contribute greatly to water pollution and can cause great distress to both animals and plants.
People looking to reduce their impact on the environment should consider using lanolin lubricants, as they are non-toxic and, therefore, safer for both the environment and the user.
To properly dispose of lubricants used in your home, follow these tips:
Also, never dump lubricants onto the soil or allow them to leak into the soil.