Table of Contents
MISSION STATEMENT
Automotive Fluids Work Group
Unlike the majority of consumer liquids, in most applications automotive fluids are not used up and therefore create a disposal problem for people who perform self-maintenance of their vehicles. Used oil, leaking oil filters, antifreeze, and other automotive fluids generated by do-it-yourselfers (DIYs) can be viewed as being both a potentially harmful threat to Georgia's natural ecosystems and residents and as a valuable resource that can be recovered for beneficial reuse in Georgia.
It is estimated that about 19 million gallons of passenger car motor oil are sold in Georgia annually. Much of this oil is purchased by DIYs. It is estimated that more than 5.5 million oil filters are also bought by DIYs each year. Based on national statistics, as much as five million gallons of used oil may be improperly disposed of in Georgia annually. There are few places in Georgia where consumers can take used oil, oil filters, antifreeze, and other automotive fluids for proper disposal.
The mission of the Automotive Fluids Work Group is to provide the Director of P2AD, by no later than February 28, 1996, recommendations for creating a voluntary, state-sponsored program that will result in the proper recovery of consumer-generated used automotive fluids and oil filters. Recommendations shall identify types of collection sites and methods, potential sources of program funding, and incentives for industry and consumers. Recommendations made by the work group are non-binding.
INTRODUCTION
The Automotive Fluids Work Group was created by the Director of the Pollution Prevention Assistance Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to recommend guidelines for a state-sponsored automotive fluids management program. The work group was made up of citizens representing a cross section of government, trade associations, automotive fluid recyclers, and environmental groups. The work group members are: Davis Morgan, Chair; Ric Cobb, Rick Glendye, Larry Hart/Randy Brillhart, Della Ridley, Kelley Coty, Carl Ferrans, Jack Kowall, Rick Cothran, Olin Ivey, Wesley Woolf, and Bernie Deck/Paul Dickison/Steve Grimshaw. The work group acts in an advisory capacity to the Director.
The work group's mission was to provide to the Director recommendations on the creation of a voluntary, state-sponsored program which will result in proper recovery of consumer-generated used automotive fluids and oil filters in Georgia. The work group was provided with a comprehensive research report which contained detailed information about automotive fluids and filter management techniques, and state programs for do-it-yourselfers (DIYs). The work group was then asked to recommend components of a DIY management program for Georgia, including types and methods of collection, funding, and incentives.
To accomplish its mission, the work group met twice. The first session was devoted to a series of short, informational presentations by industry experts on various aspects of automotive fluids management. The work group also brainstormed a list of major issues to discuss at the next meeting. The second meeting of the work group was a facilitated session during which the group narrowed the issues, identified major categories, and made specific recommendations to P2AD's Director.
RECOMMENDATIONS
March 18, 1996
A general recommendation of the work group is that any type of DIY automotive fluids management program developed by the Division should be voluntary. No one industry or retail group, such as service stations, should be singled out to perform collection of DIY-generated fluids. Rather, any responsible entity that is interested in participating in the program should be allowed to do so. The Division should advocate recycling and collection programs by local governments, retailers, and non-profits.
The Automotive Fluids Work Group recommends the following, in no particular order, to be components of the DIY automotive fluids management program developed by the Division.
Category # 1 - Collection of Automotive Fluids and Filters generated by DIYs
The Division should "benchmark" all existing DIY collection locations and automotive fluid markets within the state in order to identify areas that may now be under-served by consumer collection programs or have inadequate capacity for proper handling of the fluids. Collection should, above all other things, be convenient to the consumer. Collection locations could include, but are not limited to, the following: various retailers such as quick lube shops and full service stations, oil jobbers, private firms, sites sponsored by local governments or non-profits, and anyone who sells oil. Collection sites should be manned. The Division should advertise the location of DIY collection sites in some way. The Division should also encourage DIY used automotive fluid collection as part of other existing recycling programs.
Category # 2 - Laws and Legislation
The work group states that existing laws affecting used automotive fluids and filters should be enforced by the proper authorities, particularly in the case of DIYs. Consumers should be given some sense of their own liability for improper disposal. Additionally, the group recommends that P2AD should sponsor legislation to promote antifreeze recycling within Georgia. If legislation is deemed necessary by the Director to enable proper management of DIY-generated used oil and other automotive fluids, model language developed by the American Petroleum Institute could be used as a starting point for drafting legislation.
Category # 3 - Funding of an Automotive Fluids Management Program
A large amount of funding may not be necessary, as collection of DIY-generated used automotive fluids is already taking place in Georgia. However, the work group, in general, supports the idea of some type of fee on oil to fund a DIY automotive fluids management program. Any fee collected should be reasonable, not concentrated on the retailer, and have low administrative costs. Possible funding sources identified by the work group include:
Category # 4 - Liability
Concerns about liability issues regarding collection of consumer-generated automotive fluids are problematic. P2AD should attempt to address and clarify legislation and regulation pertaining to automotive fluids to resolve liability issues. The work group recommended that some measure be taken to limit liability for collectors, such as the following:
Category # 5 - Incentives
The work group agrees that at least some retailers now collect used automotive fluids from DIYs and in the future will continue to do DIY collection with no additional incentives. Such retailers now offer collection of used automotive fluids because it is a good public relations vehicle for their company, and/or because it increases customer traffic and purchasing in their stores. Similarly, P2AD should determine if incentives are necessary for the general public to encourage participation.
Incentives identified by the work group for the collectors include the following:
Incentives identified by the work group for consumers and DIYs include the following:
Category # 6 - Education
P2AD should establish a comprehensive education program to promote collection of used DIY-generated automotive fluids and filters in the state. The Division should consider education of consumers, DIYs, retailers, and collectors. However, education efforts should not take place until there are sufficient disposal options available. Possible components of an education program in Georgia are as follows:
AUTOMOTIVE FLUIDS WORK GROUP
Membership List
MISSION STATEMENT
Pollution Prevention Assistance Division
Department of Natural Resources
The mission of the Pollution Prevention Assistance Division (P2AD) of the Department of Natural Resources is to achieve voluntary participation by businesses and industries within the state in programs and activities designed to prevent pollution at the source; and to instill within the public a pollution prevention ethic which is consistent with the protection of human health and the environment. To accomplish its mission, P2AD will: