Instead of sending used oil in landfills and harming the environment, a new program is now helping people safely dispose of them, along with used glycol (antifreeze), oil filters, containers (oil, glycol (antifreeze) and DEF), aerosol cans for lubricants and automotive part cleaner — and recycle them to give them a second life.
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK ?
Anyone who generates large quantities of oil — like an auto repair shop, car dealership, harbour authority or waste management facility — is now required by the province to have it properly collected and repurposed.
With this new recycling program from UOMA Atlantic, having these products collected and disposed of has never been easier. Up until last year, anyone that generated large quantities of used oil had to pay to have it hauled away and they eventually ended up directly in landfills as a result.
Under UOMA Atlantic’s program, proper storage, bins and drums to collect used oil and glycol (antifreeze) products will be provided to facilitate pick-ups by UOMA Atlantic collectors – all free of charge.
WHERE CAN THE POPULATION DROP THEIR PRODUCTS?
There are already more than 500 collection facilities registered with the program. Those drop off points are establishments like local garages or municipalities who accept small quantities of used mechanical maintenance product from their community.
At-home mechanics who generate small amounts of used oil, used filters, and glycol (antifreeze) while working on their own vehicles can simply drop them off at no cost at any UOMA Atlantic registered collection facility.
Not only will these collection facilities be recognized as being environmentally conscious organizations who care about their community, they’ll also receive a cash bonus three months after registering and be eligible to receive an annual payment based on the volume of used oil filters collected at their establishment.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE RECYCLED PRODUCTS?
When used oils are collected, they can be refined and reprocessed into new lubricating oil or be used as industrial burning fuel.
When motor oil is moving through engines and transmissions, it can pick up hazardous materials like arsenic and lead. If used oil enters our waste stream, it can soak into the ground and contaminate our water.
Through UOMA Atlantic, used oil filters and aerosols collected will be crushed and compressed into cubes. In turn, these are melted and molded into different products, such as fences for example.
UOMA’s program also collects used plastic containers that once held oil, glycol (antifreeze) or DEF. These containers must be decontaminated first and then, they can be recycled into plastic pipes, garden edges and trendy composite deck boards amongst other things. Used glycol (antifreeze) can be recycled back into new glycol (antifreeze).
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE RECYCLED PRODUCTS?
Now that large generators of used oil can have it stored and picked up free of charge — and everyone else who generates oil can easily drop theirs off as needed – Nova Scotia’s waste stream is going to be in much better condition.
If you’re a large generator of used oil, you can register as a collection facility to provide your local population with an alternative to dispose of used mechanical maintenance products. Then, contact your collector to arrange a pick-up schedule that meets your needs.
If you’re someone who generates a small amount of used oil, find your nearest collection facility so you can drop it off — at no cost — and know it’s going to be safely handled and recycled.