Minister announces used oil ban from landfills

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Environment, has announced that government has passed new Used Oil Control Regulations that will become effective April 1, 2003. This is the first set of regulations coming out of the Waste Management Strategy released in April 2002 and the first new regulations implemented under the new Environmental Protection Act passed earlier this year. Under these regulations, the disposal of used oil will be banned from landfills as of April 1, 2003 and must be properly collected for recycling and reuse.

"These regulations will enable government and industry to effectively manage all waste oil products, ban unacceptable disposal methods for used oil, control the storage of used oil and provide for the proper return of used oil and lubricants," said Minister Aylward. "Our province is facing serious waste management issues, and government is committed to resolving them by finding viable solutions to waste management problems. The Used Oil Control Regulations are an important element of our overall Waste Management Strategy, which includes disposal bans and waste diversion programs."

It is estimated that approximately nine million litres of lubricating oil is sold annually in Newfoundland and Labrador. Of this amount, approximately five million litres of used oil is available for collection, recycling and reuse. The remaining four million litres are consumed in the lubricating process. Approximately 80 per cent of the used oil generated in the province is already being collected by several local companies for recycling and reuse.

In addition to the commercial sector, there is also the "Do It Yourself" market. This market consists of individuals who do their own maintenance on their own vehicles. Currently, this segment does not have a regular means to recycle used oil. During the three-year Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program administered by the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board, a total of 20,000 litres of used oil was collected, which represented 14 per cent of the waste collected under the program.

"The amount of oil collected in the Household Hazardous Waste program indicates that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians want to dispose of used oil in an environmentally friendly manner," said Minister Aylward. "A used oil control program will ensure the proper disposal of used oil and ensure the recycling and reuse of the product. Regulating the disposal of used oil will reduce pollution and encourage business opportunities in the collection, processing, recycling and reuse of used oil. With the used oil control program, consumers will now be able to return used oil to the place of purchase, free of charge," the minister said.

"We have consulted with industry associations and the collectors of used oil and handlers of bulk storage in the province," said Aylward. "There are some businesses that may have to upgrade or purchase used oil storage facilities in order to comply with the new regulations. We are posting them well in advance of the implementation date of April 1, 2003, to ensure the industry has time to prepare. Smaller service stations may continue to use 205 litre drums to store used oil in accordance with the appropriate conditions outlined in the regulations. In line with the other Atlantic provinces, government will not implement a consumer levy on the sale of oil."

Many small retailers, such as convenience store operators, primarily sell oil and do not offer oil changes; therefore, it will not be feasible for these businesses to provide storage facilities. Small operators selling less than 1,000 litres of lubricating oils per year are exempt from the storage and collection requirements of the new regulations.

Businesses in remote areas of Newfoundland and Labrador may have difficulty accessing the necessary collection network. The regulations provide the opportunity to address remote areas separately. Accommodations may be provided on the type of disposal method, storage facilities and transportation systems.

The Department of Government Services and Lands will be responsible for enforcing the used oil control regulations, and the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board will be responsible for the promotion and public awareness of the program. The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board will notify service stations, garages, and oil retailers about the used oil control program and it will implement a public education campaign for the "Do it Yourself" sector.

"In the coming months, MMSB will work with government, business and the public to implement the Used Oil Recycling Program," said Gordon Seabright, MMSB chairman. "The Board is excited about the introduction of this new recycling initiative, and looks forward to working with all stakeholders in the province to make this program a success."

"We welcome these new regulations and see their implementation as an important part of the provincial waste management strategy," said Dr. Bassem Eid, president of the Newfoundland Environmental Industries Association. "We do encourage government to enact progressive environmental legislation and NEIA has been active in providing input into these regulations. Our members are keen and ready to work in partnership with government on aspects of waste oil collection and recycling opportunities."

The Used Oil Control Regulations are published today in the Newfoundland and Labrador Gazette.

Media contact: Cynthia Layden Barron,Communications, (709) 729-2575.

The Used Oil Control Regulations will become effective April 1, 2003

The Used Oil Control Regulations will

• ensure the proper disposal of used oil and the recycling and reuse of the product;

• reduce pollution and encourage business opportunities in the collection, processing, recycling and reuse of used oil;
  
• enable government and business to effectively manage all associated waste oil products, ban unacceptable disposal methods for used oil, control the storage of used oil and provide for the return of used oil and lubricants; and,
  
• prohibit the disposal of used oil into a body of water, into a sanitary or storm sewer, on public or private land, in a waste disposal site or place it in a container intended for pick up for transportation to a waste disposal site.

Department of Government Services and Lands for enforcing the used oil regulations.

The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board for the promotion and public relations program.

Industry for managing and adhering to the regulatory ban on the disposal and burning of used oil.

The Minister of Environment has authority to address remote areas separately. Accommodation may be provided on the type of disposal method and storage facilities.

There is no consumer levy on the sale of oil.

Consumers will now be able to return used oil to the place of purchase, free of charge.

2002 11 22                                        1:25 p.m.