BC Stewardship uses non-traditional method to bring awareness to used oil recycling

VICTORIA, BC (August 12, 2020) – BC Used Oil Management Association (“BCUOMA”), a not-for-profit group dedicated to the collection and recycling of lubricating oil, oil filters, oil containers, antifreeze and antifreeze containers in British Columbia, today announced that they have created a series of five short videos that combine a fun, non-traditional communications campaign, with a serious and important used oil recycling message. View the videos here.

“This series of awareness videos convey that a lot of things in life, like used oil, just get dirty. Instead of throwing them out, you just need to know how to clean them properly,” said David Lawes, CEO, BC Used Oil Management Association. “We’re here to make sure used oil and other program materials are properly cleaned and recycled, while these videos help the public clean a variety of other items. Our goal is that these light-hearted videos will resonate with British Columbians and remind them to recycle used oil at one of BCUOMA’s many return collection facilities across the province.”

BCUOMA worked with ‘Here Be Monsters’ creative agency in Vancouver to produce the videos. This campaign runs until October 31, 2020, and the videos will be promoted on social media and digital platforms.

“Tips, tricks, advice, life hacks, call it what you will, but there’s a thirst for knowledge nowadays where everyone wants to be as self-sufficient as possible, online. The influential video host knows this and delivers what the audience wants,” said Chris Raedcher, client & project director, partner, Here Be Monsters. “The twist is that the host isn’t your typical Jillian Harris-type. He’s literally an auto mechanic/handyman-type that knows how to clean everything. Ken, the video host, reminds viewers that just like used motor oil, tons and tons of things can be cleaned and used again. Over the course of the five videos he entertainingly demonstrates how so many things can be cleaned instead of being thrown out, such as makeup brushes, kitchen sponges, and airpods.”

Used oil is a valuable resource and if it is recycled at one of BCUOMA’s dedicated RCFs, it can be recovered and re-refined into new lubricating oil. Any vehicle maintenance facilities, automobile owners, and other machinery maintenance operations that use oil also can use re-refined oil. Additionally, used oil filters contain reusable scrap metal, which steel producers can recycle metal products like rebar, nails and wire. Used antifreeze is reprocessed to produce new automotive antifreeze. Plastic oil and antifreeze containers are recycled into new oil containers, flowerpots, pipe, guardrails, and patio furniture.

Each year, approximately 50 million litres of oil, and 3 million litres of antifreeze are collected and responsibly managed through the approximately 300 public collection facilities and over 4,000 generators across the province, which are managed by the BCUOMA program. In 2019, BCUOMA collected more than 51 million litres of used oil which was the highest total amount in the program’s history.

About BC Used Oil Management Association 
Formed in 2003, theBritish Columbia Used Oil Management Association (BCUOMA) is a not-for-profit group dedicated to the collection and recycling of lubricating oil, oil filters, oil containers, antifreeze and antifreeze containers in BC. Our goal is to provide British Columbians with an eco-friendly and cost-effective way to recycle these materials. For more information, visit bcusedoil.com.

Media Contact:

Kari Kylo  - SOMA Concepts & Solutions

Kari@somaworks.com- 604.889.8057

www.bcusedoil.com