A Federal Government program that works with Local Governments across Australia is scoring points in oil recycling. More than 400 oil collection points have been set up in Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia and a further 300 are under construction.
To achieve nationwide oil recycling, the Federal Government has formed a partnership with the Environmental Protection Authority in Queensland, EcoRecycle in Victoria and the Western Australian Local Government Association’s Municipal Waste Advisory Council (MWAC).
The Australian Department of Heritage and Environment is negotiating directly with Local Governments in New South Wales and other states to set up more collection points.
More than 500 million litres of motor oil is sold in Australia every year. While more than half this oil is available for recycling, a large percentage remains unaccounted for and could be causing damage to the environment. The availability of statewide collection points for used motor oil is critical in removing the environmental and local threat posed by oil. Local Governments participate in informing and educating the community about the service.
Without a proper mechanism for safe disposal, oil can seep into the ground and contaminate soil, streams, rivers, lakes and drinking water. Used motor oil contains contaminates such as arsenic, lead and magnesium which when released into the environment are toxic. One litre of used oil can contaminate up to one million litres of water, which is about half the size of an Olympic swimming pool.
MWAC is assisting councils across Western Australia by providing used oil recycling collection points at a cost of more than $380,000 for the first phase of two year program costing $1.6 million. The program is designed to improve access to used oil collection points in Western Australia, and will include education and promotion activities to increase use.
WA Local Government Association President Councillor Clive Robartson said by encouraging Western Australians to pour their used oil back into empty oil containers and take it to the local used oil facility for recycling, Local Governments are helping to protect the environment and conserve a valuable resource.
Used oil can be recycled, cleaned and used again in a variety of ways, such as industrial burner oil, mould oil, hydraulic oil, in bitumen based products, as an additive in manufactured products, or as a re-refined base oil for use as a lubricant, hydraulic or transformer oil.
In Victoria, the State Government launched the scheme in October last year. State Environment and Water Minister, John Thwaites, said the new Victorian Used Motor Oil Collection Network provided motorists with a safe, convenient, central point where they can dispose of their oil. Most of the collected oil will be refined and blended back into fuel oil, which is used in industry for power generation.
