Oil and gas companies in Orange County, CA have a duty to manage their waste in an environmentally conscious manner. To guarantee this is done, the Department of Recycling and Resource Recovery (CalRecycle) provides grants to support local government programs that promote the recycling of used oils. This program is made possible through partnerships between Orange County, CalRecycle, port cities and major local companies that offer bilge collection and distribution centers. Residents and businesses can discard unused engine oil, car batteries, leftover paint, or pesticides at a household hazardous waste collection center. All certified centers will accept uncontaminated used oil from the public free of charge during normal business hours.
Boaters at the ports of Huntington, Newport and Dana Point have free oil-absorbing bilge pads available at the fuel docks, launch pads and offices of participating marine companies. Industrial waste, process waste, and sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants require prior approval before delivery and acceptance. Used oil can contain contaminants such as lead, magnesium, copper, zinc, chromium, arsenic, chlorides, cadmium and chlorinated compounds. To make sure these materials are disposed of properly, contact your city or county's household hazardous waste program for the dates, times, and locations of collection and disposal events. Now that you know how easy it is to recycle used oil and filters, take advantage of this free program. These are your local auto parts stores and service centers, such as AutoZone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Pep Boys, Jiffy Lube, Valvoline Instant Oil Change or one of the more than 200 companies in Orange County that are ready to serve you.
Learn more about SB 1383, the state law that requires all residents and businesses to recycle organic waste to reduce methane emissions. In 1991, the California State Legislature passed the Oil Recycling Improvement Act to address the significant threat it poses to California's environment. To ensure that Orange County remains a safe, healthy and satisfying place to live, work and play for generations to come, it is essential that oil and gas companies in the area adhere to these regulations.
What Can Oil & Gas Companies Do?
Oil & gas companies in Orange County have a responsibility to manage their waste in an environmentally responsible way. To ensure this is done properly they should take advantage of the free services offered by CalRecycle. This includes disposing of unused engine oil, car batteries, leftover paint or pesticides at a household hazardous waste collection center.Additionally they should take advantage of free oil-absorbing bilge pads available at fuel docks or launch pads. Industrial waste, process waste and sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants require prior approval before delivery and acceptance. Companies should contact their city or county's household hazardous waste program for dates, times and locations of collection and disposal events.
