The realization that engine oil is a major contributor to automotive pollution is a recent discovery. In fact up to 25% of car emissions can be traced to motor oil.

However, motor oil damages our environment in other ways. "Total loss" applications such as chain saws, two-stroke boat engines and snowmobiles release oil directly into the environment as they operate.

Some countries such as Sweden only permit two-stroke engines in national parks provided they use vegetable oil as a lubricant.