Tennessee Awards Grants for Oil Recycling

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen and Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke announced the awarding of $485,800 in grant money to establish, upgrade and expand used oil collection centers in communities across Tennessee.

“This is a very straightforward approach to dealing with a potential cause of pollution that has a direct positive impact on the water quality of our lakes, streams and groundwater in Tennessee,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “I’m pleased we can provide these grants to encourage community collection centers where do-it-yourselfers can conveniently recycle their used motor oil.”

The first priority for this year’s grant funding was to establish used oil collection sites in underserved areas. Upgrading existing public facilities and establishing additional public collection sites in communities served by private sites were additional priorities. Tennessee’s Solid Waste Management Act requires counties to have at least one place in the county where used oil can be properly disposed.

The Used Oil Collection Act makes it unlawful for any person to discharge used oil where it may harm the environment. The state provides a toll-free telephone number as a resource to disseminate information concerning used oil collection centers at 1-800-287-9013. The hotline provides the locations and operating hours of collection centers, requirements for collection locations that accept commercial used oil and other information regarding used oil.