Daily Mountain Eagle March 26, 2004

County taking part on oil recycling program

By Chris Burroughs

It is an annoying part of owning a vehicle: changing the oil.

Perhaps what is most annoying about it is what to do with the used oil one it is out of the vehicle. Should you pour it out on the ground? Put it in the garbage?

A new program in which Walker County is taking part prevents harmful activities such as these and gives residents a place to put their used motor oil. Known as Project R.O.S.E. (Recycled Oil Saves Energy), this non-profit organization encourages the recycling of oil and, where needed, donates storage tanks for holding the oil.

The project, located in the chemical engineering department at the University of Alabama, is funded by the Alabama Department of Community Affairs (ADECA) Science, Technology, and Energy Division.

Walker County now has its own storage tank, located at the Walker County Landfill just west of Jasper on U.S. 78. It was placed at no charge by Project R.O.S.E. It is part of the organization’s mission to conserve energy and protect the environment. “Used motor oil should always be recycled,” said Charlotte Nix, assistant coordinator for Project R.O.S.E.

According to information on the Project R.O.S.E. Web site, over 600 million gallons of used oil are produced in the U.S. each year, with an estimated one-third of that amount disposed of improperly. This kind of disposal can include pouring oil on the ground, into drains and sewers or placed into garbage cans.

Such disposal can cause numerous environmental and health hazards. The Web site states that used oil can contaminate surface and ground water, as well as soil. A gallon of oil can contaminate one million gallons of fresh water. In addition, oil contains toxins including lead, that can be dangerous, particularly to children. Some have also been shown to cause cancer.

Project R.O.S.E. combats these dangers through a variety of means, including public education, establishing oil collection/recycling systems in communities across the state and coordinating the collection and recycling of used oil state-wide. The organization utilizes not only service stations, car dealerships, and oil change facilities as collection agents, but also places large drums in rural areas for residents in those areas to take their oil.

“For recycling to work, it must be convenient,” Nix said. “Recycling locations in Alabama accept motor oil on a volunteer basis. We appreciate their great service to the community and for helping to protect the environment.”

It is through the latter project that Walker County got involved. Walker County Commissioner Larry Farris said Nix contacted the commission about the possibility of placing a drum in the county. Farris said the county was all too willing to oblige.

“We are interested in any kind of recycling and in protecting the environment,” Farris said. “It was a pretty good deal just to have some place to get rid of it.”

Once the tank fills up, Farris said an approved hauler will come and pump the oil out.

The 250-gallon tank as been little used so far in two months of placement at the landfill, but Farris said he was hopeful that a little more public notice about the tank will encourage people to bring their used oil there.

“People can recycle it instead of just pouring it out,” Farris said.

Residents can also take their oil to several locations around the county. Among the sites listed by Project R.O.S.E. by community, are:

Jasper: Advance Auto Parts, Express Oil Change, Auto Zone, Pit Stop Lube Center, Wal-Mart Tire and Lube Express, Walker County Landfill, Texaco Express Lube and Car Care Center.

Sumiton: Wal-Mart Tire and Lube Express, Advance Auto Parts, Express Lube.

Carbon Hill: Bill’s Tire Barn

Cordova: Argo Automotive Repair.