Oil - ARMA Reports

USED OIL
MATERIALS
RECYCLING
PROGRESS REPORT

MAKING RECYCLING MORE CONVENIENT

Alberta Recycling is working with municipalities and Indigenous communities to increase the number of used oil material recycling depots across the province.

RECOVERY RESULTS

The chart presents results over the last four years. On October 1, 2018 the government transferred management of the program from the Alberta Used Oil Management Association (AUOMA) to Alberta Recycling. With this transition, the fiscal year shifted from calendar to April-March.

Oil processed for the January – March 2018 stub period is not identified in this chart but it is included in the cumulative total.

COLLECTION RESULTS

The chart presents results over the last four years. As previously noted, with the transition of program management from AUOMA to Alberta Recycling, the fiscal year shifted from calendar to April-March. Since 1997, 145.4 million used oil filters have been collected.

OIL CONTAINERS COLLECTED

This chart presents results over the last four years. Similar to the used oil and filter results, with the transition of program management from AUOMA to Alberta Recycling, the fiscal year shifted from calendar to April-March. Since 1997, 37.8 million kilograms of empty oil containers have been collected.

ENVIRONMENTAL FEES AT WORK

The environmental fees paid on the purchase of oil, filters and containers are used to help fund collection and recycling of this material along with other Program-related costs (see pie chart). There are 246 businesses (Suppliers) registered with Alberta Recycling to ensure that the fees are remitted on each eligible product sold in Alberta. Alberta Recycling values the commitment of these Suppliers who diligently remit the fees for the recycling of used oil materials.

HOW THE FEES ARE USED

(results from October 2018 – March 2019)

Recycling Expenditures0%

Collection and recovery/recycling of used oil, filters and containers

Administration0%

Program management

ALBERTANS SUPPORT THE
USED OIL MATERIALS
RECYCLING PROGRAM

Since 1997 a staggering amount of used oil materials have been recycled and kept out of the environment. Based on Albertans’ participation over the past 22 years, it’s safe to say that Albertans support the recycling of used oil, oil filters and containers and the proof of this statement is evident in this year’s poll results. They revealed that 86% of Albertans support the program and 64% support the fees.

WHAT HAPPENS TO
YOUR EMPTY CONTAINERS
AND USED FILTERS

Plastic oil containers and metal oil filters are an equally important part of the Used Oil Materials Recycling Program as the environmental fees paid at the time of purchase help fund the collection and recycling of these materials.

Containers are pelletized and used as feedstock for products such as new containers, guardrails, fence posts and railway ties.

Oil filters are crushed (with the residual oil captured) and processed by metal recyclers for manufacturing into construction materials such as rebar.

ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS
FOR RECYCLERS

An objective of the used oil materials recycling program, similar to the other programs managed by Alberta Recycling, is to ensure that registered recyclers collect and ship oil materials to downstream processors in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. This year, Alberta Recycling will begin regular inspections of registered recyclers and in the near future, an environmental audit by external experts will be completed to confirm they are following Program requirements.

CROSS-CANADA COLLABORATION

Alberta Recycling works with the other provincial programs through the national working group, the National Used Oil Materials and Antifreeze Council. In 2019, new communications pieces and tools will be developed to enhance the information and services provided to stakeholders.

MAKING SURE
EVERY DROP COUNTS

If not managed and recycled properly, used oil is our nation’s largest potentially hazardous material. As Alberta Recycling enters its first year of managing the program, we are committed to making sure used oil materials are handled responsibly and effectively. We are excited about enhancing the program, providing the best service possible to Albertans by capturing all used oil, filters and containers to keep them out of the waste stream and protect our environment.