A new oil recycling program is being introduced in British Columbia. Beginning July 22, 2003, used oil filters and used plastic oil containers (up to 30 liters) will be included along with used oil. The program will be managed by the British Columbia Used Oil Management Association, a non-profit, industry-led organization.
"We are delivering a new era of environmental management based on sound science, cleaner air, cleaner water and sustainable practices," said Joyce Murray, Water, Land and Air Protection Minister. "This industry-led expansion creates new opportunities for BC-based businesses and improves environmental protection in the province."
The program is funded by an Environmental Handling Charge assessed on new oil, filters and plastic oil containers. The EHC is a user-pay levy to be used by BCUOMA solely for funding the collection of used oil, used oil filters and used plastic oil containers. It is not a deposit/refund system.
Last year about 75 million liters of used oil; 7 million oil filters and 2.2 million kilograms of used plastic oil containers were available for collection and recycling in the province. However, only 61 percent of the oil; 17 percent of the filters and 12 percent of the plastic oil containers were collected.
The network presently stands at over 400 and is growing weekly.
Used oil can be restored and reused as lubricating oil, in the manufacture of asphalt concrete, or converted into fuel for approved uses such as cement kilns. The filters contain 85 percent steel and are crushed and become rebar for concrete construction. The empty plastic oil containers become fencing, highway guardrail posts, parking curbs, plastic plumbing pipes, garden furniture and new oil containers.