Summer 1999
In This Issue:
- Technology, Mixed With Local
Flavor and Fun, Helps Increase Used Oil Recycling
- Cal/EPA Announces 1999 Award
Winners
- The Future of Used Oil Found
in the Stars
- At the Capitol: Legislative
Update
- CIWMB Re-Designs Its Oil/HHW
Web Pages
- New Aluminum Signs for Proper
Drop-off Hours
____________________________________________________________
Technology, Mixed With
Local Flavor and Fun, Helps Increase Used Oil Recycling
Inspired by the popularity of interactive
CD-ROM computer games, producer, Larry Nimmer (Nimmer Pictures)
and Sheri Eiker-Wiles (SEWA waste management consultants) teamed
up to develop “Carpinteria – Oil in the City,' an interactive
CD-ROM “game' that uses fun local scenes and characters to
teach “players' about the proper use and disposal of used
motor oil.
On an aerial map of the small coastal
town of Carpinteria, the user selects different locations, such
as the downtown, nature reserves, and popular surf spots, where
potential “hot spots' are found. At these locations, the
player clicks on “hot spots' question-marks, which trigger
short informational videos and computer-generated graphics on
various aspects of used motor oil recycling.
Although this CD-ROM is enjoyed by all
ages, it primarily targets teenage males that make their own automobile
repairs. Scenes that incorporate surfing and low-rider activities
as well as Carpinteria High School events help capture the player’s
attention while creatively conveying a message. One scene features
the rap singer Ice-T, who declares “Don’t dump your
used motor oil! It’s bad for the environment.' Images of
local landmarks, such the off-shore oil platforms in the Santa
Barbara Channel, also help bring to life information about how
oil is generated and produced.
Developed through the financial support
of a CIWMB Research, Testing, and Development grant, “Oil
in the City' is promoted locally by the Santa Barbara School District,
the City Public Works Department, the Carpinteria Valley Water
District, and the Carpinteria Sanitary District. High school science,
biology, and driver’s education classes use the CD-ROM as
part of their regular curriculum. Video segments are regularly
played on the school’s in-house TV news program and on the
local government access channel.
After-school programs and the Carpinteria
library have well utilized copies available for their public computers
and the local Radio Shack uses the CD-ROM for their demo computers
to entice potential buyers. In addition to being an very important
resource in Carpinteria (this program has helped double the amount
of used motor oil accepted at the City’s drop off center
since its debut), “Oil in the City' can easily be adapted
for use in other location around the state.
Most of the scenes produced for Carpinteria
can be adjusted to other communities, some with slight or no modifications.
With only a little research into local attributes and interests,
the program can be set into motion. The interactive nature of
the CD-ROM technology can also be applied to educating the public
on other environmental issues.
To order a copy of “Carpinteria –
Oil in the City,' or for more information about the program, please
call Nimmer Pictures at (805) 566-0198 or e-mail to nimmer@west.net.
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Cal/EPA Announces 1999 Award Winners
Winners of the 1999 Cal/EPA Household
Hazardous Waste/ Used Oil Program Awards were an-nounced during
the 4th Annual Statewide Household Hazardous Waste Conference
held this spring near Lake Tahoe. “These awards recognize
the innovations by cities, counties and private industry in continuous
efforts to inform and educate small businesses and households
on the economic and environmental values of recycling, and the
proper disposal of household hazardous waste,' said Cal/EPA Secretary
Winston Hickox.
Some of the awards presented include:
Outstanding Personal Service
Brian Johnson
City of Santa Monica
Best New Program
City of Fremont
“High School Auto Shop Program'
Contact: Marsha Bradford
(510) 494-4742
Program Excellence
El Dorado County
“Lake Tahoe Used Oil Marina Program'
Contact: Gerri Silva
(530) 621-6653
Program Excellence
City of Rancho Cucamonga
Environmental Learning Center
Contact: Bob Zetterberg
(909) 477-2740, x2320
Program Innovation
City of Sunnyvale
Multi-Family Oil Recycling Program
Contact: Rich Gurney
(408) 730-7484
Outstanding Rural Program
Hollister Disposal
Permanent HHW Collection Facility
Contact: Nathan Pierce
(831) 636-4170
Smaller Is Better
Glenn County
Used Oil Recycling Program
Contact: Gerry de Roco
(530) 934-6530
“This year’s award winners deserve
recognition and praise for their efforts,' said Ed Lowry, Director
of the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). “These
programs are an example of what can be done by communities and
business in an effort to effectively manage hazardous waste.'
This statewide award competition is sponsored
by Cal/EPA, DTSC and the CIWMB. Co-sponsors include the Air Resources
Board, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assess-ment,
the Department of Pesticide Regulation, and the State Water Resources
Control Board.
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The Future of Used Oil
Found in the Stars
The Environmental Media Association and
the CIWMB, in partnership with Earth’s 911, are proud to
announce the availability of used oil public service announcements
featuring such celebrities as Mario Andretti (auto racing legend),
Luke Perry (Beverly Hills 90210’s Dylan McKay), Gordon Clapp
(Emmy winner of NYPD Blue), Steven Seagal (action film hero),
and Michael T. Weiss (TV’s Pretender).
Targeting men aged 20-45, who change their own
motor oil, these customizable PSAs are available for free in both
English and Spanish.
For information about ordering free customized
versions of these PSAs, call the Environmental Media Association
at (310) 446-6244 or visit the Earth’s 911 web site (http://www.1800CLEANUP.org/psa/).
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At
the Capitol: Legislative Update
Staying informed about Senate and Assembly
bills related to HHW/Used Oil management allows local governments
and other interested parties to play a larger role in shaping
the laws that eventually affect local HHW/Used Oil programs. Keeping
abreast of the California Legislature's activities can also help
reduce the chance of getting caught off guard by legislation that
impacts how programs are managed.
Some current bills that might be of interest
include:
Senate Bills
SB 606 (O’Connell) would make two changes and an addition
to the Health and Safety Code (HSC).
- Section 25610 would reduce manifesting
requirements for milkrun collections from two copies to one
when the hauler, generator, and facility are all identified
under the same EPA ID number.
- Section 25175 would require DTSC to
make a list of hazardous wastes for which recycling is economically
and technically feasible in California. Would require DTSC to
enforce an existing law that requires all recyclable waste to
be recycled rather than put in landfills or destroyed. A generator
would have to justify management of waste by means other than
recycling or face fines equal to twice the cost of recycling
the waste.
- Section 25250.26 (added to the HSC)
would require used oil generators – other than certified
used oil collection centers – to certify that their used
oil does not contain PCB's in a concentration greater than 5
parts per million. If the generator makes a false claim and
the facility incurs costs to dispose of the used oil and clean
the facility, the generator would be liable for three times
the cost as well as any court and attorney costs spent to determine
liability.
SB 46 (Sher) would move pertinent code
sections from the original Used Oil Recycling Act into the Used
Oil Recycling Enhancement Act, under which the Board’s Used
Oil Program is authorized. The bill’s language is almost
identical to SB 988 which was vetoed by the governor last year.
SB 47 (Sher) signed into law on May 26th,
reenacts California’s “Superfund' law which expired
on December 31, 1998. This bill mirrors the prior law, but adds
a new program entitled “Orphan Share Reimbursement Trust
Fund.' This program would fund cleanup of Superfund sites where
the responsible party is either unwilling or unable to fund the
cost of site remediation
Assembly Bills
AB 187 (Hertzberg), also known as the Grant Information Act of
1999, would require all state agencies to put notices of grant
fund availability and application documents on their Internet
web site by July 1, 2001.
AB 998 (Wayne) would extend a current
exemption for manufacturers of less than 500 gallons per quarter
of paying the Used Oil Recycling Fee. This exemption is set to
expire on January 1, 2000.
For the current status of these bills,
check out the Legislative Council’s web site at http://leginfo.public.ca.gov.
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CIWMB Re-Designs Its Oil/HHW Web Pages
Visit www.ciwmb.ca.gov and you are bound
to find something new and exciting!
Used Oil and HHW Branch staff have been working
over the past few months to update their web site. Beyond redesigning
the Board’s existing used oil page (http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/
UsedOil/), staff developed
a new page devoted solely to household hazardous waste (http://www.ciwmb.ca.
gov/).
Both sites include:
- Listings of grant and certification staff assignments,
- Downloadable grant and certification forms,
- A directory of pertinent Board databases,
- Publication listings,
- Calendar of events,
- Relevant waste management laws and regulations,
and
- Links to web sites of local, state and federal
agencies as well as industry and nonprofit organizations.
A new Certified Center site-visit checklist
is also available in English and Spanish on the HHW site at www.ciwmb.ca.gov/HHW/Forms/default.htm.
Jurisdictions without Internet access can call (916) 255-2891
to order copies of the forms.
Staff is eager to post additional local
and regional events on the site as well as establish new web links,
particularly to local government programs. To submit information
to be posted or provide input on how to improve the web site,
call Wendy Roberson at (916) 255-2891 or e-mail to wroberso@ciwmb.ca.gov.
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New Aluminum Signs for
Proper Drop-off Hours
Aluminum signs (18"x24") telling
the public not to drop off used oil after hours are now available
through the CIWMB in English and Spanish. An 11"x15"
aluminum version will also be available later this summer.
Jurisdictions are encouraged to order
these signs for their Certified Centers reporting after-hours
used oil disposal problems.
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