INDUSTRY NEWS


THE OIL CARE CAMPAIGN- VVHAT HAS IT ACHIEVED?


In January 1995 the Oil Care Campaign was launched by the Environment Agency. This was at a time when the number of oil pollution incidents reported in England and Wales was over 6,900 and increasing each year.


Initially the Agency approached companies with an involvement in the production, marketing and recycling of fuels and oils, with a view to tackling the problem jointly. The lubricants industry was seen as having a vital role . About 92 per cent of all oil pollution incidents are minor, and it is believed that many of these are caused by the illegal disposal of used engine oil by the DIY sector.


The British Lubricants Federation (BLF) and individual companies play a vital part in this campaign. A help line was established in January 1995 to advise DIY mechanics on the availability of oil banks. This is administered by the Environment Agency and funded by the industry. Most importantly, it is publicised by the industry by the inclusion of an environmental message on the packaging, along with the helpline number, 0800 663366. The line receives approximately 200 calls per month and about two thirds of the callers cite packaging as the source of information for the number.


The campaign focuses on two key areas.


The first concentrates on storage and delivery procedures, and relates broadly to industrial, commercial and agricultural use of fuels and lubricants. It is this area which tends to be responsible for the larger and more serious pollution incidents. Most of the major oil companies and a multitude of delivery companies have been involved. Oil tank manufacturers and inst.allers have also played an important


part. Leaflets and technical guidance have been produced which identify how oil pollution can occur and provide examples of best practice to prevent pollution. These are available free from the Agency.


The second area focuses on lubrication oils sold for vehicle and boat use, predominantly


that used in DIY engine servicing. Although campaign has concentrated on the disposal of


Rod Parker with Phil Chatfield of the Environment Agency.


Since the launch of the campaign, the number of oil pollution incidents has fallen, reversing the long-term trend. However, the most significant reductions occurred in the first two years. The number of incidents in 1997 was down by only 0.8 per cent compared with 1996, less than the overall decline of 3 per cent for all incidents in the same period. There were still more than 5,500 confirmed oil pollution incidents in 1997, 27 per cent of the total, and for the first time in several years the number of the most serious incidents involving fuels and oil increased, from 29 to 49.


It is clear that in order to reduce the number of oil pollution incidents further a great deal more pollution prevention work is needed. Although the Oil Care


Campaign is due to be formally launched by the Scottish Environment Protection


there has been a gradual decline in this Agency in Scotland this autumn, the market, there is still a large volume of used engine oil that can not be accounted for. The


efforts have been made to identify how many are needed, to assist local authorities in increasing their number and to publicise their availability.


There has been a slow increase in the number of oil banks, with the total currently standing at about 1,600. However, based on a figure of 1 bank per 20,000 population contained in a National Household Hazardous Wastes Forum (NHHWF) report "Oil Care and the Householder" published in January 1996, there is a need for over 1,500 extra sites. In many cases the existing banks are in need of upgrading because of poor location or their grimy and unattractive appearance. The Environment Agency and NHHWF recently published guidance on oil banks which it is hoped will help local authorities in improving and expanding the network.


The campaign has involved the petroleum industry, retailers and local authorities from the start and owes its success so far to the combined efforts of all who have contributed. The Agency is now seeking the views of these partners on how best it can be taken forward.


If you have any thoughts on the areas we should tackle, suggestions on new approaches or would like to become involved for the first time, please contact me at the Environment Agency in Reading, telephone: 0118 953 5410, e-mail phil.chatfield@environment- agency.gov.uk.


Phil Chatfield Environment Agency


used oil. Oil banks are an obvious solution and \...._ ______________________


environment agencies can not achieve an improvement on their own.


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