[Shop-talk] What to do with oily rags?

[Kent Sullivan]

Hi,

I keep used oily rags in a metal container designed for that sort of thing
and it's getting full. I'd prefer to not send them to a landfill. I called
some commercial laundering companies local to me that provide towels,
uniforms, etc. and they don't have a way to accept a random assortment of
rags from a residential user. I also talked to a couple of car-related
businesses that I frequent and they rent their rags, so mine can't easily be
added. I also spoke with my local hazardous waste collection site and they
take oil and filters but not rags.

Any suggestions? I don't really have a washing machine that I can use to
wash and reuse them myself. I guess I could go to a Laundromat but that
seems kind of unfair to anyone who might use that particular washer after
me...

Thanks.