Geneva County joins motor oil recycling program R.O.S.E.

By Anne Henderson, Eagle Correspondent

GENEVA- Twenty three years ago, an energy crisis created a motor oil recycling program in Alabama.  Three days ago, Geneva County became the 501st participant.        Project R.O.S.E. (Recycled Oil Saves Energy) was developed at the University of Alabama by Gary April, a chemical engineering professor who now heads that department.        "He saw a need for the do-it-yourself oil changer to have a safe place to deposit oil that could be refined and used again," said Sheri D. Powell, Project R.O.S.E. coordinator.  She estimates there are 1.5 million people in Alabama who change their own oil.        Powell was in Geneva County to officially open the four collection sites that will now accept used motor oil.        "The oil must not be contaminated with water, dirt or other solvents such as diesel fuel or brake fluid," she said.        Collection sites are Bowdoin's Body Shop & Auto Repair on East Magnolia in Geneva, Kilgus Auto Center on Church Avenue behind the Otasco in Geneva, Bit T Tires on Main Street in Samson and Hartford Tire and Auto Center on Main Street in Hartford. Since Project R.O.S.E. began in 1977, 500 million gallons of oil have been recycled at the more than 500 volunteer sites across the state, Powell said.        Steve Bowdoin, owner of Bowdoin's Body Shop, estimates he recycles about 20 gallons per week.  He takes the used oil from his garage to other places in Geneva that already recycle, such as the Jones-Baird Olds Chevrolet dealership and Hayes Garage and Tire Store.        Used oil is the first county-wide recycling program in Geneva County, said Junior Mixon, enforcement officer with the Geneva County Solid Waste Office.        The County was awarded a grant of $10,000 to help establish other recycling efforts.  The project must be in place by May 2001.        He plans to place a trailer in a central location in the county to receive four recyclable items.  "Whatever fits the community will be accepted there, whether it's paper, plastic, glass or aluminum," he said.        Educational materials will also be purchased with the grant funds.        "Alabama has one of the best volunteer used motor oil recycling programs in the United States," she said.  "But many citizens are still not aware of what improperly disposed motor oil can do to the environment."        Used motor oil contains dangerous toxins such as lead, chromium and cadmium, she said.        When not recycled and dumped on the ground or near a stream, used oil contaminates soil; kills plants and animals; causes a drastic decline in property values; and is hazardous to humans.  "Some toxins found in used oil can cause cancer," Powell said.        Seventy percent of vehicle owners change their own oil, but only 14 percent recycle, said Mixon.        The web page for the Phoenix Oil Refiner states their laboratory tests prove that truly clean, recycled oil can be used in an engine indefinitely.        "Engines operated with continuously clean oil last longer," according to the information on the web page.  "Refiner equipped trucks have logged over half a million miles without overhaul on the same oil and oil companies have operated Refiner equipped stationary industrial engines in excess of 25,000 hours without overhaul or oil changes," the page continued.        Project R.O.S.E. has formed a partnership with the national environmental preservation organization Earth's 911.  As a result, Alabama residents can dial 1-800-CLEANUP to locate a recycling center.  The same information can be found at the Earth's 911 web address: www. 1-800cleanup.org.        Project R.O.S.E. is one of the oldest volunteer used motor oil outreach and education programs in the nation.  The program is funded by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs- Science, Technology and Energy Division.        The proceeds from a Grand Prix 5K Race, Run for the Roses, helped purchase the 325-gallon collection tanks.  The next race is scheduled for March 3, 2001, in Tuscaloosa, Powell said.        For more information on Project R.O.S.E., call toll-free in Alabama at 1-800-452-5901 or visit the web site at http://prose.eng.ua.edu.