THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 10, 1995 TAG: 9502080181
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Business
SOURCE: BY JANELLE LA BOUVE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
Virginians discard more than 4.4 million gallons of used oil every year. Most of it is dumped into trash cans and storm drains by people who don't realize how much damage improper disposal of oil can cause to the environment.
Eastern Oil Co. of Alexandria opened a satellite office on S. Military Highway in April to provide a convenient alternative to dumping used oil.
Lisa Wood, area sales representative, said the company's services are particularly important to do-it-yourselfers.
``So many places will accept used oil at no charge that there is no excuse for improper dumping,'' she said. ``Places like Southeastern Public Service Authority, Twin B Auto Parts and service stations. Any retailer who sells motor oil is required to inform customers how to dispose of used oil properly.
``Eastern Oil has a reputation built on integrity and by being environmentally responsible,'' Wood said. ``We earned that reputation by focusing our efforts on the small generator.''
The company has collected used oil products in Central Virginia for more than two years. Last year, it opened a recycling plant in Goochland County.
``In the past, some people have paid a small fortune to get rid of used oil,'' Wood said. ``We offer a low-cost, environmentally safe method of recycling.''
Wood said the goal of Eastern Oil is to help relieve the burden on smaller companies, who can't afford to pay someone to read through reams of environmental regulations.
``We are doing everything we can in conjunction with Twin B to make the public aware of the importance of used oil recycling and the accessibility of recycling,'' Wood said. ``It's the small generator who needs our help. In a lot of cases they don't have the luxury of having an environmental compliance person on site. So they rely on our contractor to tell them about the environment, and that's what we do.''
For a $35 fee, Eastern Oil Co. provides several services to commercial customers, Wood said.
``The most important thing to a customer is that their tank does not overflow.'' Wood said. ``Therefore, we designed our routing based on collecting their oil at 60 percent capacity. Everything is computerized.''
The company's service contract also provides for free pickup of used oil during 1995, records of pickups that can be used to meet EPA requirements for recycling reports, and free analysis of used oil.
``Per year, 15 million gallons of oil can be recycled,'' said Roger Ward, a sales representative in the company's Alexandria office. ``That's our goal. We need the help from the communities.''
Eastern Oil serves a variety of businesses, including industries, quick lubes, service stations, car dealerships and governmental agencies.
The company's local customers include Little Creek Amphibious Base, Fort Story, Huntsman Chemical Corp., Norfolk and Southern Railroad, Thalia Shell in Virginia Beach and Twin B Auto Parts.
``Eastern's service has been excellent,'' said Tracey McKinney, Twin B's advertising director. ``They are very customer-oriented.''
In most cases, oil picked up in Chesapeake will be processed the next day, Ward said.
``After oil is processed, the customer is relieved of responsibility,'' he said. ``Other companies may send oil as far as Illinois. That takes a while and the oil passes through many hands. There is much more room for error. Our customers should feel comfortable knowing that their used oil can be recycled in Virginia and not have to travel across state lines.''
The company rejects substances that are classified as hazardous. That includes solvents such as metal-working fluids, degreasing solvents, Freon-contaminated refrigeration oils and dry-cleaning solvents. They also reject flammable liquids - gasoline, naphtha, paint thinner, fiberglass resin, brake fluid and engine coolants.
``Since I've learned about the problems used oil can cause, how it can get into the water system and about protecting the environment, the company has my deepest approval for what it is doing,'' said Kevin Anderson, one of Eastern Oil's drivers.
``Learn how to dispose of oil properly - that's what I'm telling customers,'' he said. ``When they're informed, that's one less person who will dump in the street.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Mike Lane, Kevin Anderson, center, and Rob Helgeson are drivers for
Eastern Oil Co., which offers an environmentally safe method of
recycling oil.
KEYWORDS: RECYCLE OIL by CNB