BC Used Oil: Collaborating with First Nations
The BC Used Oil Management Association (BCUOMA) is a collaborative, not-for-profit group assisted by oil and antifreeze manufacturers and first sellers of those same automotive products and parts. Our entire reason for being is to collect and recycle used lubricating oil, oil filters, oil containers, used antifreeze and antifreeze containers.
Their goal is to provide British Columbians with an eco-friendly and cost-effective way to recycle these materials. Each year, approximately 50 million litres of oil and 3 million litres of antifreeze are collected and responsibly managed through the BCUOMA program.
Remote communities face big challenges when it comes to environmental protection and accessing public services such as recycling. The story of the Ehattesaht Nation, Lyle Billy, Stephanie Valdal and Ryan Foster is just one of several collaborations between First Nations and our association.
Since becoming the first associate member of the Indigenous Zero Waste Technical Advisory Group (IZWTAG) in 2019, we have worked with multiple First Nation communities around the province to implement used oil collection systems. We help by assessing community needs, supplying equipment and infrastructure through our grant program, training site operators and connecting the facility to the BCUOMA collection network to ensure materials are recycled.
Learn more at https://bcusedoil.com/