Amara Janssens and Tiffany Rennick have what some might consider the ultimate summer job. The two university students are spending the summer touring the province in a newer- model Volkswagen that looks like it’s been doused in motor oil.
It gets attention, says Janssens, and that’s the point as the students are part of a public relations campaign for the British Columbia Used Oil Management Association focussed on encouraging customers and retailers to recycle used motor oil, and, as of July 1, used antifreeze.
Janssens and Rennick were in Williams Lake on Tuesday and Wednesday meeting with current program participants that include Lakecity Ford, Canadian Tire and the Petro Canada Bulk Plant on Gill Road, which recycle both oil and anti-freeze, and Hamilton Petroleum and Chuck’s Auto Supply that both recycle oil.
The two have gone as far north as Fort St. John in visiting approximately 500 collection facilities.
The message they are sending to the community is not only about the recycling of the two products but also about responsible recycling that includes bringing the items in during business hours.
“Night drop off can lead to environmental contamination,” Janssens says.
They also spend time recruiting new recycling sites. Each participating agency receives a financial incentive to be part of the BCUOMA’s recycling program which is funded, among other things, by the eco fee consumers pay when they purchase a product.
The association expects to recycle three million litres of antifreeze this year.
Janssens says about 79 per cent of all oil used in B.C. is recycled.
“It’s quite high but there’s also room for improvement.”
Individuals wanting to find their nearest oil and antifreeze recycling site can visit www.usedoilrecycling.com and enter their postal code when prompted.