Valvoline, a brand of Ashland Inc., said its new NextGen motor oil is made from 50 percent recycled oil and still exceeds industry specifications with reduced environmental impact compared to non-recycled motor oil.
According to the company, since base oil doesn’t completely wear out, used oil can be re-refined and reused. U.S. cars and trucks use more than 3 billion quarts of motor oil each year, and Valvoline said it aims to inspire drivers to recycle oil. One gallon of improperly disposed oil can contaminate up to one million gallons of drinking water. The company said if every American switched to NextGen recycled motor oil, it would save 400 million gallons of crude oil.
NextGen conventional, high-mileage and synthetic blend oil variants currently are available at major automotive retailers with wide retail availability April 15. NextGen oil changes also will be offered as an option at more than 500 Valvoline Instant Oil Change locations effective April 7, with more service centers adding the NextGen oil change option throughout the summer, the company said.
Because April is National Recycling Month, Valvoline is focusing its efforts on “M.O.R.E.” (Motor Oil Recycling Education). Consumers can find out more about motor oil recycling at www.nextgenmotoroil.com. The site allows consumers to click and show their commitment to closing the loop by recycling oil and using recycled oil products. For each person who clicks, Valvoline will donate $1 to Keep America Beautiful to help protect and preserve community environments, the company said.