TikTok has the solution to everything. Whether you’re into plants or history. Cats, parrots? Crafts, books, and of course, a pretty big community has also formed around the world of cars. Let’s say TikTok has become a huge forum for anything we like, and the more we like something, the more videos show up. That’s why videos go viral so quickly. That’s exactly what happened with this mechanic, nine seconds of video sparked an incredible debate about cars.
With more than 1.3 million views, the clip shows someone pouring motor oil (which appears to be new) into a regular waste container.
Although the store isn’t clearly identified, the creator says: “I work at AutoZone. Throwing out new oil breaks my heart”. And in just a few hours, the content went viral.
@old_rm80♬ original sound – C.W004
What seemed like a simple vent from a worker quickly turned into a national debate. Thousands of users began to share similar experiences, and a key question emerged: why is clean oil being thrown away?!
Why does AutoZone throw away apparently new oil?
When a customer returns a container of motor oil that has already been opened, the policy of many chains like AutoZone or O’Reilly prohibits reselling it. Even if the oil looks new, there’s no turning back. Breaking the seal makes it impossible to guarantee its purity, you could say the chain of custody is lost (just like what happens with medications, for example). And since it’s a product classified as hazardous waste, even the slightest doubt turns that $30 bottle into a risk for the whole population.
Strict regulations
The EPA and other agencies in the U.S. ensure and require businesses to follow very strict protocols for handling oil. This includes not accepting returns of opened products, nor storing oil that may be contaminated.
In many states, AutoZone is legally required to offer recycling points for used oil, but it also imposes restrictions to prevent their stores from turning into dumping grounds for workshops!
What happens to the oil once it’s thrown away?
Fortunately, the oil seen being poured out in the viral videos doesn’t end up in a landfill, that could be an ecological disaster. Stores that accept used motor oil are required to send it to authorized treatment services. Once processed, that oil can be:
- Re-refined as a base for new lubricants
- Converted into industrial fuel
- Used in the manufacturing of asphalt or other heavy materials
In all cases, the process ensures the final product meets the same standards as the original oil, turning waste into a valuable resource. And most importantly, it doesn’t pollute!
Can this waste be avoided?
Many users argue that AutoZone should allow the resale of returned oil if it hasn’t been tampered with. But the risk of selling a contaminated product is very high, and the fines for violating environmental regulations can be devastating. Even if it looks like waste to us, from a legal and operational point of view, stores are required to follow the protocol, it’s there for a reason.
Adding fuel to the fire: what do people think about it?
Many users agree that while it’s a relief that unused oil is being recycled instead of dumped into the environment, the practice of discarding unopened or slightly used motor oil still feels incredibly wasteful. Several commenters pointed out the risks of selling oil that’s no longer sealed (from possible contamination to volume loss or even damage to a customer’s vehicle). Others emphasized the environmental upside of proper recycling, with one oil truck driver confirming the oil is indeed processed and reused. Still, for those who pay up to $17 for synthetic oil, watching it go to waste hurts their wallets, even if their conscience stays clean!
It’s clear that no one likes seeing such an expensive product go to waste, but behind a video is a complex web of regulations designed to protect the consumer!