GIRO suspending used oil collection until further notice

In 2003 the Stewardship Program BCUOMA (British Columbia Used Oil Management Association) was established as an administrative program to oversee the collection and recycling of Used Oil and Anti-Freeze. Here at GIRO we have been offering a Used Oil collection service for many years with no concerns. However, earlier this year it was brought to our attention that a collection tank for Used Oil at a Canadian Tire store was contaminated with PCB’s (Polycarbonate biphenyls). The cost to have this volume of oil properly incinerated was over $100,000. Canadian Tire asked BCUOMA to cover at least some of the liability and were turned down. Based on this Canadian Tire chose to leave the program and they are no longer offering this service.

Here at GIRO the chances of someone dropping off a liquid that contains PCB’s is slim however it is still a possibility. We have no way to test each person’s oil being dropped off for potential contamination as this would require laboratory testing. We would also be unable to cover the potential costs incurred should our tank be contaminated. BCUOMA sent us a letter that they were proposing to offer some liability coverage with the cost to be shared by us the facility and the collector who transports the oil from GIRO to a processing site. This proposal as yet has not been offered to us.

Until we can be assured that BCUOMA will cover the liability for potential contamination we will no longer be offering the Used Oil Service here at GIRO. If you have any used oil please take it to the Nanaimo Recycling Exchange, 2477 Kenworth Rd who offer this service. Used oil is still the number one contaminant found in groundwater, which can end up in wells. There fore it is very important to properly dispose of it at a listed location.

We hope to be offering this service again once this issue is resolved.

Sorry for any inconvenience,

Michelle MacEwen
General Manager