Three Okanagan businesses have been recognized by the BC Used Oil Management Association (BCUOMA) for their exemplary performance and program commitment.

The not-for-profit group dedicated to the collection and recycling ofoil, oil filters, oil containers, antifreeze and containers across the province named its 30 Top Collectors from its registered Return Collection Facilities (RCFs) on March 3 in its first year of the recognition program.

Vernon害羞草研究所檚 Interior Freight and Bottle Depot Ltd. and Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 Great Canadian Oil Change and Desert Cardlock Fuel Services Ltd. all made the list.

害羞草研究所淲e are extremely proud of these 30 B.C. used oil recycling facilities that received the 害羞草研究所楾op Collector害羞草研究所� award,害羞草研究所� executive director David Lawes said. 害羞草研究所淭hey all took the necessary steps to ensure that their used oil recycling infrastructures are easy to use, convenient and environmentally friendly.害羞草研究所�

Many of the organizations that made the list also applied and were awarded RCF infrastructure grants, Lawes noted, which provided the businesses with modified sea containers to facilitate the responsible collection and management of used oil, antifreeze and the filters and containers.

害羞草研究所淲e launched the 害羞草研究所楾op Collectors害羞草研究所� recognition program to thank the dedicated RCF operators for participating in our program and to create enthusiasm among the RCF staff for doing what can sometimes be a messy job,害羞草研究所� Lawes said.

Lawes said this recognition is important to keep the BCUOMA害羞草研究所檚 more than 300 RCF operators motivated and pushing forward.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檝e made a lot of improvements to the program and a lot of the facilities have stepped up, applied for grants and we have seen volumes of collected oil increase significantly,害羞草研究所� Lawes said.

He said he hopes to see more do-it-yourselfers and hobbyists using their local facilities to recycle their oil.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a shame, we have these facilities and we want to make it less of a secret,害羞草研究所� Lawes said.

Recycling these products is crucial, he said, because if they are improperly disposed of, oils and antifreeze can cause significant harm to both the environment and human health.

害羞草研究所淭he quicker we get the oil back, the cleaner it is and the more likely we害羞草研究所檒l be able to recycle it,害羞草研究所� he said.

All 30 facilities recognized as Top Collectors this year will receive a plaque from the BCUOMA and depending on their placing, staff may receive a small gift as well, Lawes said.

Vernon害羞草研究所檚 Interior Freight and Bottle Depot Ltd. placed No. 14, while Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 Great Canadian Oil Change was No. 13 and the Desert Cardlock Fuel Services Ltd. placed No. 26.

The No. 1 Top Collector spot went to Ridge Meadows Recycling Society in Maple Ridge, Victoria害羞草研究所檚 Hartland Landfill took the second spot and Jepson Petroleum Ltd. in Williams Lake was third.

READ MORE:

READ MORE: