Stormwater and Sediment 



Recycling Program (OSCAR) considers to be very conservative. OSCAR estimates that 92 

 percent of used automotive oil is discarded in "an unacceptable and often illegal manner. 



In 1980, die Rhode Island Legislative Commission on Used Oil attempted to quantify 

 direct economic costs associated with loss of used oil. The Commission estimated that 

 between .57 and 1.64 million gallons of potentially recyclable used oil was being discarded 

 annually in the state. Estimatai value of the oil before treatment ((§) $0.10 per gallon) was 

 $60,000 to $160,000. After treatment, die lost oil was valued at an estimated $180,000 to 

 $480,000 (@0.30 per gallon.) DEM program start-up cost was $6000. 



On the basis of the Commission's economic findings and in response to growing 

 environmental concerns, the Assembly passed waste oil recycling legislation in 1980, 

 authorizing DEM to set up a voluntary program. By svmimer of the same year, DEM had 

 recruited 73 service stations to participate in the program, and the number continued to 

 grow during the next year. Service stations re-sold the waste oil to used oil concerns, 

 which marketed the refined product as fuel oil. High energy prices created a significant 

 demand for the recycled material through the mid-1980s. 



Market conditions, however, drastically affected the operation of the program, as 

 collapsed energy prices eliminated the market for die recycled product Service stations 

 could no longer sell the waste oil, and dropped out of the program. Currently, only a few 

 stations take waste oil, and those charge customers for disposal. The Solid Waste 

 Management Corporation operates a free drop-off at the Central Landfill in Johnston. 



Waste oil disposal is regulated under the hazardous waste statute (RIGL Chapter 23- 

 19.6), die Water Quality Act (Chapter 12 of Tide 46), and die Air Quality Act (Chapter 23 

 of Tide 23). The hazardous waste regulations specify that used oil must be "collected and 

 recycled to the maximum extent possible." 



Rhode Island is presendy revising its statewide solid waste management plan to address 

 the waste oil issue, among other concerns. The Department's proposed waste oil recycUng 

 program will provide a collection center (igloo) in each of the state's 39 cities and towns, a 

 grant for site preparation, and collection service for the first year. Installation, 

 maintenance, and security will be the commimity's responsibility. 



DEM also proposes to implement a curbside collection pilot project in one community. 

 DEM will provide residents with containers in which oil can be left at the curb along with 

 odier recyclables. Records will be kept to document the total amount of oil collected, and 

 the source of the oil, for comparison with a similar community using the igloo system 

 without curbside collection. DEM will consider expanding the curbside collection program 

 if it generates substantially more oil than the igloos. 



Recommendations 



Although the igloo system represents a step in the right direction, curbside collection 

 offers many advantages. Igloos may be subject to vandalism, and require monitoring to 

 guard against illegal deposit of solvents and other contaminants. After the first year, the 

 towns must contract for regular collection, transportation, and recycling of the oil by a 

 licensed waste hauler. Particularly if biweekly disposal is required, the actual fate of the oil 

 may be much less certain, and less easily monitored, than with larger state contracts. 



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