Subject: [permaculture] composting used motor oil soaked debris?
Date: Wed, 09 Aug 2006 14:49:11 -0400
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?