Albertans have recycled one billion litres of used lubricating oil thanks to the province's used oil recycling program.
Introduced in 1997, the used oil recycling program has also diverted almost 85 million used oil filters and more than 20 million kilograms of used plastic oil containers.
Through the program, used oil is turned into fuel for industrial burners, re-refined into reusable lubricating oil, or used as base stock for other industrial applications. Used containers and filters are recycled into a variety of construction materials, such as rebar, clean pelletized feedstock for new plastic products, or oily plastic flake for fence posts and railroad ties.
The program is very successful as 87 per cent of used oil, 89 per cent of used oil filters and 87 per cent of used oil plastic containers are recycled in Alberta.
"I am proud of Alberta's used oil program," said Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner. "I commend the Alberta Used Oil Management Association and its partners for creating a world-class program both in terms of quantity and breadth of materials collected and recycled. The association has contributed to the development of a sophisticated recycling industry and helped foster greater environmental stewardship in Alberta."
This news item first appeared in EcoLog News (6/10/11). To learn how to subscribe, visit www.ecolog.com