USED OIL COLLECTNG AND RECYCLING - LESSONS FROM THE FIRST PILOT PROJECT IN ROMANIA

Abstract

The paper presents the outcomes and further progress of a partnership project implemented during 2000/2001 and aimed at establishing and operating a model (pilot) scheme for used oil collection and recycling organized at regional level (county level) solely based on a County Council s decision. Project activities included: drafting local regulations, training of scheme operators, setting up and operating a model collection scheme, and recycling of collected oils into waste derived fuel at cement kilns. Different waste minimization possibilities were considered as well as resource recovery, recycling, and reducing uncontrolled disposal of used oils. Because public knowledge on used oil management was found quite scarce, a special public/awareness component was added to the project. The most challenging activity of the project the more so as it was before adoption of the national regulation was the actual setting up and running the pilot scheme for used oil collection with a view to reduce the uncontrolled discharge / disposal of used oils into the environment and recover a non-renewable energy resource. A collection rate of 50-60% was provisioned for the collection scheme (approx. 20% less than the E.U. average collection rate) that would ensure the correct management and safe disposal of used oils, without harming the environment and human health. During the first 2 months of scheme operation it was made possible to include in a controlled circuit a quantity of 90 tons of used oils. Other similar initiatives implemented in other regions of the country after the national used oil regulation was adopted as well as the yearly quantities of used oils collected afterwards in Prahova County have confirmed the feasibility of the provisioned collection rate.