The BC Used Oil Management Association promotes their circular economy program

BCUOMA registered collectors pick up used oil from across B.C. and transport it to a refinery for processing, including one located in North Vancouver. (Credit: British Columbia Used Oil Management Association (BCUOMA))

VICTORIA — BC Used Oil Management Association (BCUOMA), a not-for-profit organization trying to recycle used motor oil, oil filters, oil containers, used antifreeze and antifreeze containers in British Columbia, announced that in recognition of Global Recycling Day, taking place on March 18, David Lawes, CEO of BC Used Oil Management Association, is available to speak about the BCUOMA program, which supports environmental, social, and economic structures in a regenerative circular economy closed loop system.

BCUOMA has been establishing used oil material and by-product recycling programs across B.C. for years. Through partnerships with local and regional governments, indigenous communities, registered processors and collectors, and public recycling facilities, these free-to-the-public programs try and achieve sustainability, circular economies, CO2 reductions, carbon offsets and zero waste and pollution prevention objectives, such as:

Environmental – products are diverted from waste and recycled infinitely, re-entering the market as the same functional products.

Economic – all of the collection and a significant amount of the processing is done within the province of B.C.

Social – supporting Indigenous and remote communities in BC with managing waste and providing jobs.

“Waste materials from the consumption of consumer oil products can easily and effectively be reprocessed and repurposed, said David Lawes, CEO, BC Used Oil Management Association. “Lubricating oil is sold, used, collected, re-refined and resold for the same purpose in B.C. BCUOMA registered collectors and processors collect antifreeze from across the province and transport it to their facilities, where it is processed through a vacuum distillation system and sold back to B.C. consumers, through a closed loop system.”

BCUOMA registered collectors pick up used oil from across B.C. and transport it to a refinery for processing, including one located in North Vancouver. Once there, the used oil is re-refined and turned back into new motor oil. The re-refined oil is available for purchase by consumers again, through wholesalers and retailers in B.C. Using re-refined base oils reduces the carbon footprint without sacrificing quality or performance, requiring fewer resources compared to oil manufactured without recycled content. This closed-loop process allows processors to produce oils that are consistent in meeting or even exceeding industry specifications—without drilling for new crude oil.