P.E.I. to start new oil recycling program

A new program to recycle oil and antifreeze will begin on Prince Edward Island April 1st.

The Department of Environment will implement the program under the PEI Environmental Protection Act.

The new recycling program will be similar to oil product stewardship programs that operate in seven provinces across Canada.

"Effective waste reduction and waste management is important to all Islanders. Government is pleased to see the oil and glycol products industry assume a leadership role in the shared responsibility for the collection and recycling of used oil, glycol and containers,” said Environment minister Janice Sherry.

SOGHUOMA will operate the program for the province.

The industry-funded organization will set up a network of automotive service centres where Islanders will be able to drop off their materials for recycling at no charge.

Government says environmental handling fees will be included in the price of the products.

Officials with the Environment department said Islanders generate close to 2 million litres of waste oil and antifreeze each year. As little as 1 litre of used oil can contaminate 1 million litres of water.

There are also several hundred thousand used oil filters and empty containers produced annually with most coming from the automotive and industry sector.

SOGHUOMA general manager Gilles Goddard said used oil and glycol products can be processed for reuse.

"The metal in used filters can be reused indefinitely and the plastic containers can be cleaned, flaked and reprocessed for a variety of commercial uses," Goddard said.

The company has submitted a stewardship plan to the province for the operation of the program.