HD35 - A Study of Oil and Antifreeze Collection Centers in Virginia


Executive Summary:
This report details the results of two recycling initiatives: (1) the operations of a demonstration project in Bath County to accept and recycle used motor oil and used antifreeze from the public and (2) the statewide survey of all jurisdictions in the Commonwealth to determine which areas do not have recycling facilities.

The Bath County project resulted in the receipt of 210 gallons of used motor oil and 12 gallons of used antifreeze from the public during FY 1993-94. Two local commercial dealers who accept and recycle used motor oil from the public, however, received approximately 200 gallons per month. The public's low participation in the state project was based on three reasons: (1) the public appeared to want to go to a more convenient location, (2) the public appeared to wish the option of making purchases in addition to the deposit of used motor materials, and (3) the public is accustomed to going to commercial businesses to recycle material rather than governmental facilities. These comments from the public were obtained from informal conversations during the recycling operations and from general telephone conversations made to the residency.

HB 1463 authorized $20,000 from Bath County's secondary construction allocation for the demonstration project. Actual expenditures in FY 1993-94 were less than $12,000. HB 380, which was enacted in 1994, extended the operations of the Bath County project through June 30, 1995.

The statewide recycling survey of jurisdictions, which was initiated by HB 380, revealed that 42 localities do not have facilities to collect used motor oil and 114 localities do not have facilities to collect used antifreeze. Because of VDOT's interest in and support of recycling programs, the State Equipment Engineer will canvas the transportation managers in the affected areas that do not have motor oil collection facilities. This additional study will assess advantages and disadvantages of a recycling program at the local level. The study will also seriously weigh the costs and benefits with the context of the overall statewide transportation needs and resources.

VDOT is currently depleting its supply of antifreeze that needs to be replaced periodically. State vehicles are using a permanent antifreeze that only requires an additive every few years to restore rust and corrosion inhibitors. Because of the low participation of the public in recycling antifreeze at the Bath County site and VDOT's initiative of using permanent antifreeze, it is not recommended that a statewide antifreeze recycling program be implemented.

The "Introduction" section of this report identifies the specifics of House Bills 1463 and 380. The "Overall Results" section details the individual results for each house bill, including non-recycling localities broken down by government type for HB 380 and paragraphs on analyses, costs, and coordination for HB 1463. The "Conclusions" section reports overall statements for recycling programs including VDOT's initiative to conduct an additional study to assess recycling programs for used motor oil at the local level.