Here are some oily facts --

• 62% of all oil-related pollution in this country is from improper disposal of used motor oil.

• A quart of motor oil can pollute 250,000 gallons of water.

• If you pour the oil on the street in front of your house it will eventually be washed down the storm drain and from there will wend its way into the Chesapeake Bay.

• Putting the oil in the trash, even in a sealed container, is no solution. It will eventually seep into the ground and the water table when the container is crushed.

Do us all a favor and take the time to recycle oil and antifreeze. The oil is refined and used as fuel in industrial applications.

When left with a rusted hulk or other car parts (other than tires or batteries) contact a local car dealer or junk yard for information on disposal. You may have to pay to have the items removed. Or perhaps with artfully draped vines and a few petunias, the rusted hulk can be disguised as an "urban planter." Dead car batteries and old tires can be taken for recycling.