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Auto fluid recycling centre opens in Quesnel

Drop off oil, antifreeze, auto fluid containers and filters at Co-Op
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The BC Used Oil Management Association has opened a new recycling facility at the Quesnel Co-Op site to drop off used oil and antifreeze. (BCUOMA photo)

Auto fluids can once again, and better than ever, be recycled in Quesnel.

A partnership between Four Rivers Co-operative and the BC Used Oil Management Association (UOMA) has turned into a new facility that can take your used oil, antifreeze, and filters and containers.

The new facility is located at 1280 Quesnel-Hixon Road. A previous recycling facility was once available, put on pause, and now this upgraded, dedicated spot is open again.

Even the building itself is an example of recycling. The renovated facility features a 20-foot modified sea container with a 2,200-litre tank for the safe collection, handling and storing of used oil and antifreeze materials.

This upgraded infrastructure provides the residents of Quesnel, and the surrounding areas, with a safe, clean, and free-of-charge facility to return used oil and antifreeze materials.

“The Four Rivers Co-operative staff worked with our team (at UOMA) to determine the growing needs of the Quesnel community, and they were proactive in upgrading their used oil recycling centre to accommodate the city’s future growth needs,” said David Lawes, CEO of the not-for-profit UOMA. “Four Rivers Co-op is a great partner for BC Used Oil Management Association as they continue to provide sustainable services in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Our goal is to provide British Columbians with accessible, safe, and environmentally friendly recycling facilities to return their used oil and antifreeze from their cars, boats, recreational and off-road vehicles. The used program materials can be recycled and are a valuable resource for the manufacturing of new products.”

The association continues to seek opportunities to upgrade or build new recycling facility locations across B.C., through its infrastructure grant program. The program was created to improve reasonable access for British Columbians to clean, safe and free recycling centres for used oil.

“Used oil is a valuable resource and if it is recycled at one of (our UOMA) dedicated public recycling centres it can be recovered and re-used,” said Lawes. “Used oil can be re-refined into new lubricating oil or material inputs for manufacturing or energy products. Additionally, used oil filters contain metal, which is recycled into metal products like rebar, nails, and wire. Used oil and antifreeze containers are recycled and used to manufacture new oil containers, drainage tiles, and parking curbs. Used antifreeze is refined and reused as new automotive antifreeze.”

The UOMA is making a noticeable difference to help the environment - soil, atmosphere, and water - by doing what they do, like this expansion on Lhatko Dene Nation and Southern Dakelh Nations territory. They have been in operation since 2003. Their network of recycling centres is now extensive, to the point that every year they collect about 50-million litres of oil, and 3-million litres of antifreeze - an enormous benefit.

Always growing, the UOMA is openly offering to expand to areas not already covered by their recycling programs. Municipalities, private businesses, non-profit organizations, and other sectors interested in a UOMA infrastructure grant can find out more at https://bcusedoil.com.

Click here to find out more.

For more information on Four Rivers Co-operative used oil recycling centre visit THIS WEBSITE link.

For a comprehensive listing of all the public recycling centres across BC visit THIS WEBSITE link.

Read more: Jepson Petroleum ranks third provincially for return collection facility in Williams Lake

Read more: Nazko Lake Landfill receives upgrades to oil recycling infrastructure



Frank Peebles

About the Author: Frank Peebles

I started my career with Black Press Media fresh out of BCIT in 1994, as part of the startup of the Prince George Free Press, then editor of the Lakes District News.
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