permaculture

["Kevin Topek" <ktopek@houston.rr.com>]

Dear Kevin,

Many years ago, 1991-1992, I conducted experiments that were designed to
measure the efficacy of different composting materials on toxin reduction to
used crankcase oil. Oil will break down naturally when exposed to light,
water and air. It will degrade faster with compost. Normal composts do just
fine when the temperature is warm. Coffee grounds were the most effective
material in reducing toxins. Just do not use the composted oil on food
crops. There are many stabilizers added to oil that do not degrade rapidly
and remain toxic, even after composting. Just add carbon, nitrogen and stir.
It should degrade within a year.

Kevin Topek

----- Original Message -----
From: "kevin s" <k.skvorak@verizon.net>
To: <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2006 1:49 PM
Subject: [permaculture] composting used motor oil soaked debris?


> apologies as usual if this topic has already been explored in depth,
> but i have an actual situation i need to deal with-
>
> one of our falling down barns has a couple of hundred gallons of used
> motor oil, transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid etc in over a dozen
> different containers-barrels, buckets, bottles etc. some are leaking,
> some have already leaked out completely., some are open 55 gallon
> barrels filled not only with oil, but water, old hay, and various
> debris including well rotted wood from some of the rotten water
> soaked timbers fallen from above. i am guessing it has been there for
> at least 30 yrs
>
> it is a real damn mess
>
> so, i am removing as much as possible, transfering to various intact
> containers for disposal etc
>
> what i am going to be left with is several hundred pounds at least of
> what is essentially great composting materials; old hay, rotten wood,
> manure, soil, sand and various debris that is soaked or otherwise
> contaminated with varying percentages of motor oils and various other
> hydrocarbons
>
> the question is, will it compost?  can i safely transfer it out of
> the barn (where it is on a concrete floor) and put it in a big pile
> for the next 30 yrs?
>
> any thoughts?
>
> thanks!
> kevin
> http://www.rattlesnakemountainfarm.org/
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