MONETIZATION OF USED VEHICHULAR OIL: AN ADOPTED MEASURE FOR SUSTAINABLE VEHICULAR OIL DISPOSAL

DRAINED SPENT OIL IN A BASIN TO BE POURED FOR SALE

                                   

AUTHOR: SARAH NAA MERLEY ATTOH

Vehicular Oil, a synthetic lubricant used in automobile engines is one of the very dangerous sources of pollution.

Once motor oil is drained from an engine, it is no longer clean because it has picked up materials, dirt particles, and other chemicals during engine operation over a said period. The emission of these chemicals into the atmosphere lead to environmental contamination and which adversely affect human lives and the ecosystem.

As a result, The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

Ironically, Automotive Engineers in Ghana, commonly known as "mechanics or fitters," one of the lead contributors to environmental pollution, have developed a new wing to their business - the monetization of used vehicular oil.

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The sale of used vehicular or engine oil, emerged as one such solution from them in curbing the improper disposal of unwanted vehicular oil. This oil, also called "dirty oil," in Ghanaian slang, is usually obtained after the servicing of a car or any device that operates on engine processes.

Research conducted on vehicular oil disposal, using the East-West Road, Port Harcourt, Nigeria as case study, estimated that less than 45% of used engine oil is being collected worldwide while the remaining 55% is thrown into the environment by the end user.

A large majority of the auto mechanics, (fitters) in the informal micro and small scale auto repair sectors no longer encourage the haphazard disposal of used vehicular oil into the natural environment. The switch to monetizing it, comes to an extent, to fulfil SDG 11, which aims at promoting clean, inclusive, safe cities and communities, with many mechanics preserving "dirty oil" for sale.

Whereas it is an income generating business for apprentices, it is a supporting capital for their masters in the purchase of tools, likewise payment of bills. The oil is sold in gallons, jerricans and drums. According to them, a gallon of 4L sells at GHS10.00, (0.71 cents) accruing them a daily sales of GHS50.00 (3.54 USD) or more, depending on the container type purchased.

The disposal of used vehicular oil, took to this turn with the emergence of some middlemen, believed to be suppliers of the product to refineries and metal industries.

Used engine oil can, in fact, be cleaned and reused. At Tema, the hub of industrialization in Ghana, it is used to melt scraps for the manufacturing of iron rods. Others also use it in the production of bitumen.

Similarly, at Green Garage Network in South Africa, used oil is cleaned, refined and reused, meaning there is no dumping or wastage. Every ounce of used engine oil drained is essential.

A 4L GALLONED TOTAL VEHICULAR OIL DISPLAYED

 A visit to some "fitting shops" at Adabraka, Kokompe and Abossey Okai enclaves in the city of Ghana, Accra, revealed business is booming. Vehicular Oil Disposal has taken a new turn.

 Several countries in the world have put in place, policies and plans to manage the disposal of their used vehicular oil to protect their environment. Unfortunately, the appropriate management of this is a common problem for many African countries, including Nigeria, where much of the wastes have negative environmental and human health risks because of inadequate systems for collection, storage, recycling, reuse and disposal.

Such is the case of the Environmental Protection Authority, (EPA) of Ghana. Most Automotive operators encountered, had little or no idea of the institution. According to them, the absence of EPA in their world caused them to engage in undesirable forms of used vehicular oil disposal practices in the past, heavily polluting the environment, until this newly found venture.

An awareness and training program by EPA on Ghana’s by-laws on used vehicular oil handling and disposal practices must be vigorously enforced to help address this issue, whiles educating and sensitizing automobile operators on proper vehicular used-oil Storage and Disposal.

You can play your part by making sure that you dispose of your old engine oil responsibly. The simplest way to do this is to put it inside the container your new oil came in, and sell it. You may also take it to your local council recycling Centre for disposal, if any.