EZ Lube Brings Green Motor Oil to Santa Monica to Help 'Heal the Bay'

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 11, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- EZ Lube, LLC, Southern California's only homegrown quick lube chain, announces the availability of EcoPower environmentally-friendly motor oil at their Santa Monica location.  EZ Lube intends to begin offering customers EcoPower oil at its other locations in the near future.

EcoPower is premium-quality oil produced by re-refining used motor oil and it is certified to meet or exceed the quality standards set by the American Petroleum Industry (API) for new motor oil. EcoPower is produced by Safety-Kleen, North America's largest collector and re-refiner of used oil.

"We recognize the importance of offering our customers a product that conserves natural resources and reduces greenhouse gas emissions," said Warren Martin, EZ Lube's vice president for marketing. "The addition of EcoPower to our oil change menu is one of many steps we're taking to be more eco-friendly – our "store refresh" campaign also includes flooring made from recycled tires, cost efficient lighting, and the testing of a proprietary oil storage system that reduces solid waste."

To further support protection of the environment, EZ Lube is donating $2 from every EcoPower oil change to the Heal the Bay Foundation.

"This is a great way to encourage people to try EcoPower motor oil and help restore our Bay at the same time – it's a double environmental benefit," Martin said.

"EZ Lube is an innovator in the oil change industry and we appreciate them adding EcoPower to their product line," said Curt Knapp, vice president of oil product sales for Safety-Kleen. "It takes up to 85 percent less energy to produce a gallon of EcoPower oil from used oil than to produce that same oil from a gallon of crude, so consumers get all the extra protection of synthetic blend motor oils, but with a much smaller carbon footprint."

Knapp said Safety-Kleen produced 97.4 million gallons of re-refined oil product from used oil in 2009, avoiding the emissions of more than 1,000,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases or the equivalent of taking almost 200,000 cars off the road. All major U.S. car manufacturers have approved the use of EcoPower in 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30 oils in their cars that require these grades, and the 15W-40 grade has been approved by leading heavy-duty engine manufacturers.

For the past 20 years, Safety-Kleen has produced high-quality motor oils for large commercial fleets and the federal government by re-refining used oil the company collects at thousands of car dealerships, automotive retailers and quick-lube facilities across North America.

About EZ Lube, LLC

Founded in 1988, EZ Lube has grown to include 74 locations across Southern California. Serving more than 1,000,000 vehicles annually, EZ Lube is Southern California's only home grown quick lube chain.  To serve customers better, EZ Lube is completing a multi-million dollar "store refresh" program by the end of 2010.  The program includes updating all store signage and graphics, complete lounge makeovers including installation of video, adding free Wi-Fi, and conducting extensive customer care training for team members.

About Heal the Bay Foundation

The Heal the Bay Foundation's mission is making southern California's coastal waters and watersheds, including Santa Monica Bay, safe, healthy and clean through science, education, community action and advocacy. The Foundation is an environmental nonprofit organization based in Santa Monica and founded in 1985 with a diverse team of staff, Board of Directors and volunteers.

About Safety-Kleen

Safety-Kleen is a leading North American used oil recycling and re-refining, parts cleaning and environmental solutions company, with approximately 4,100 employees serving approximately 330,000 customer locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Safety-Kleen provides a broad set of environmentally responsible products and services that keep North American businesses in balance with the environment. For more information, please visit www.ecopoweroil.com or www.safety-kleen.com or call (800) 669-5740.

SOURCE Safety-Kleen